Give fans a stake in promotions and they’re more likely to enthusiastically support them. That’s the assumption, anyway, from management of the Bowling Green Hot Rods, St. Paul Saints, Charleston RiverDogs and Fresno Grizzlies, who are planning promotions this season heavy on the fan input. Plus, the Altoona Curve prepares an ode to liver sausage. Our weekly look at the most notable promotions in MLB, MiLB and summer-collegiate ball.Give fans a stake in promotions and they’re more likely to enthusiastically support them. That’s the assumption, anyway, from management of the Bowling Green Hot Rods, St. Paul Saints, Charleston RiverDogs and Fresno Grizzlies, who are planning promotions this season that are heavy on the fan input.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods (Low Class A; Midwest League) have scheduled Fans Choice Tee promotion, where fans can choose the final design of the tee via the team’s Web site, for June 19.
The St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) are taking participation to a new level as part of the Goldklang Group’s “Be Your Own Fan” initiative this season. If you’ve attended a Saints game in recent years you know the team features “ushertainers” who entertain and interact with the fans in the stands.
Now the Saints are looking to add another ushertainer and opening things up to a contest. If you’ve wanted a gig as a paid ushertainer, this is your chance: just send the Saints a 90-second video of your act (click on the Be Your Own Ushertainer button on the Saints’ website). There are a few guidelines –– keep it clean, as Midway Stadium is a family environment, and I'll be bringing my kids to a few Saints game this season — but other than thay you’re on your own.
The Charleston RiverDogs (Low Class A; Sally League) are going in a different direction with the “Be Your Own Fan” initiative: For each Wednesday home game, the RiverDogs will randomly select one person from their database and ultimately be placed on a baseball pedestal. That fan will have every opportunity to “Be Their Own Fan” by renaming the ballpark, tossing out a first pitch, suggesting a seat upgrade or share the wealth with other patrons through merchandise, ticket and food and beverage discounts.
The Fresno Grizzlies (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) are known for their multiple and imaginative uniform designs, and this year is no exception. The Grizzlies have four jersey nights planned, where the team will wear special jerseys and auction them off after the game for charity. This year fans will help choose two of the four jerseys: On June 26 fans of the Twilight saga can square off by choosing whether the team will wear a Team Edward (vampire) or Team Jacob (werewolf) jersey via online poll.
Also up to the fans: the jersey worn in conjunction with a Girl Scout promotion. The Grizzlies are opening up a “Kid-Created Theme Jersey” design contest to all Girl Scouts in the Central Valley. Five finalists will have their designs posted on the team’s Facebook Fan Page to be voted on in the month of May. The winner will be announced on the field prior to the game on August 20th, and the team will wear jerseys inspired by her design. In addition, the winner will get her very own jersey, signed by the entire Grizzlies team and will throw out the first pitch that night.
Fans will also get to vote on the team’s official website for their favorite 2010 Grizzlies player to be recognized on a Jersey T-Shirt, given to the first 2,000 fans through the gates on June 26. The shirt will replicate the Grizzlies grey road jerseys.
The team also has two other uniform nights of note: a Giant Night on April 30 where players will wear San Francisco Giants orange jerseys, and a “Hispanic Heritage Night” on May 21, where the Grizzlies will take the field in red, green and white Los Grizzlies jerseys, modeled after the Mexican National Team’s uniforms.