Today is May 4, which is of course celebrated in many circles as May The Fourth Be With You, or Star Wars Day. In light of May The Fourth Be With You, many Minor League Baseball teams are preparing for their Star Wars nights. To take a closer look at the offerings fans can expect this week, Promotions Watch will run down the notable Star Wars nights on the docket.
Star Wars has been an annual feature in Promotions Watch for the last few years, and for good reason. Celebrations of the film franchise have taken off across baseball, particularly around MiLB, where teams continue to turn their ballparks into one-night tributes to Star Wars.
The year 2017 is a strong one when it comes to Star Wars nights, which is why this year’s Promotions Watch will take a different approach. Instead of highlighting the promotions scheduled throughout the season, this edition will focus on the events scheduled between May 4-7. In the coming weeks, a follow-up post will look at the Star Wars nights on the schedule for later this year.
Starting with May 4, several teams have promotions in store. The Akron RubberDucks (Class AA; Eastern League) will stage their Star Wars night alongside Thirsty Thursday, during which they will offer $1 draft beers and sodas. The Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) are planning a giveaway for their edition of the promotion, as the first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive a Star Wars-themed Homer the Dragon bobblehead.
In addition to hosting Thirsty Thursday, the Visalia Rawhide (High A; California League) are offering free “pasture” seating to any fan who wears a Star Wars costume. Other teams planning Star Wars nights for May 4 include the Arkansas Travelers (Class AA: Texas League), Biloxi Shuckers (Class AA; Southern League), Round Rock Express (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), South Bend Cubs (Low A; Midwest League), Chattanooga Lookouts (Class AA; Southern League), Down East Wood Ducks (High A; Carolina League), and Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League).
The Kannapolis Intimidators (Low A; Sally League) will use May 4 to gear up for a Star Wars night that is scheduled for later this year. On Thursday, the Intimidators will unveil the jersey that their players will wear as part of Star Wars night on July 22.
For the Omaha Storm Chasers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), Star Wars night has become an annual staple. The tradition will continue on May 5, when the Storm Chasers will wear Star Wars-themed jerseys as part of the promotion. The jerseys, which are inspired by Boba Fett, will be available via auction during the game, with proceeds benefitting The Methodist Hospital Foundation. The evening will conclude with a post-game fireworks display.
That will be a fitting start to a weekend that is packed with Star Wars nights. The Columbia Fireflies (Low A; Sally League) will stage their Star Wars night on May 6, a night that will also include offerings from the Mobile BayBears (Class AA; Southern League) and Modesto Nuts (High A; California League). A few teams will be hosting jersey auctions that evening, including the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (High A; California League) and the St. Lucie Mets (High A; Florida State League).
Among the teams that are capping the weekend with Star Wars celebrations is the Charleston RiverDogs (Low A; Sally League). The promotion will coincide with the weekly MUSC Health Family Day in the Holy City, during which the team wears its specialty Holy City jerseys.
Also featured over the weekend is a promotion that might qualify as one of the most elaborate Star Wars-related events of the year. Rather than celebrate Star Wars for one night, the Carolina Mudcats (High A; Carolina League) will pay homage to the film series throughout the weekend.
Beginning on May 5, the Mudcats will stage three nights of Star Wars-themed promotions, highlighted by the Princess Leia-inspired jerseys that will be worn by the team. The jerseys will be auctioned off to benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern NC. The weekend will feature several other promotions as well—including a post-game fireworks display on Friday, and a Kids Club Day on Sunday.
While more Star Wars nights are scheduled for later this year, this weekend will be a fitting time to celebrate the beloved film series and many minor league teams are getting into the spirit.
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