Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Charleston will help insurance salesman by offering a continuing education class before the game. Then, the RiverDogs will make fun insurance salesmen by dressing in hats and trench coats and selling bogus insurance policies. Staff members will walk the stands offing such things as “bunt insurance” for five dollars. If a player bunts, the holder can redeem the policy for $10 worth of hot dogs and sodas.

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

We here at MinorLeagueDugout.com love a good race. Southwest Michigan is bringing in actual race cars and simulators, and will give away tickets to races at near-by Michigan International Speedway. Think the players’ uniforms will sport Tide, Bud and Office Depot logos?

Monday, May 29, 2006

On Memorial Day, Reading will pay homage to the ultimate baseball food: the hot dog. The Phillies will give away a coupon for a free hot dog to all fans in attendance. They are also bringing in a 75 foot long hot dog. It’s so big, the bun will be assembled in eight foot sections, prompting Reading director of media relations Rob Hackash to surmise that they probably couldn’t find a 75-foot long bread oven.

Free fireworks in: Kinston, Long Island, Lexington, Mobile, Tennessee and Sussex

Sunday, May 28, 2006

Free fireworks in: Albuquerque, Kane County, Pawtucket, Reading and St. Paul

Saturday, May 27, 2006

The Sarasota Firefighters Benevolent Fund is hosting a pre-game rib cook-off. Ten teams from local fire departments will compete for the title of ultimate ribber. A $12 ticket ($7 for kids) buys fans unlimited ribs, a ticket to the game and pre-game concert from the Smokin’ Pineapples. Not a bad way to kick off Memorial Day Weekend.

Free fireworks in: Albuquerque, Beloit, Chattanooga, Clearwater, Greensboro, Hickory, Kane County, Myrtle Beach, Nashua, Rancho Cucamonga, Salem, San Antonio, Toledo, Trenton, Tulsa and Washington (Pa).

Friday, May 26, 2006

Southwest Michigan will send three lucky fans home with their own grounds crew. The Devil Rays will send their grounds crew to the winners’ houses and cut the lawn, weed the garden and take care of the driveway. Start thinking about what design you want mowed into your front yard.

Free fireworks in: Akron, Augusta, Brockton, Durham, Gary South Shore, Greenville, Hagerstown, Huntsville, Iowa, Joliet, Kane County, Kannapolis, Lake County, Las Vegas, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Orleans, Newark, Omaha, Scranton, Shaumburg, Southwest Michigan, Somerset, Springfield, Tacoma, Tennessee, Toledo, Tucson and Windy City.

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Monday, May 15, 2006

Happy New Year! OK, so the Ides of May isn’t traditionally considered the start of any year, but this is St. Paul - a team whose ownership group includes promoter extraordinaire Mike Veeck. It’s not that much of a stretch. The Saints open the independent American Association’s inaugural season today. We bet the Saints know how to throw a New Year’s ball.

Sunday, May 14, 2006

Portland has found a way to get fans to stay in their seats. They hope to make them too tired to leave. For the sixth consecutive year, the Portland Sea Dogs host a 5K race on Mother’s Day. Entrants in the race don’t have to be mothers. That’s a shame. The mother-running-while-pushing-a-stroller division is something they should consider adding for next year.

Considering going to a minor league baseball game, but are worried you can’t afford the high gas prices? Well, this is one minor league promotion you can’t afford to miss. All ticket holders to the Miracles’ game against the Daytona Cubs have a chance to win free gas cards from area gas stations.

Free fireworks in: Beloit, Brevard, Delmarva, Mobile, Pensacola, Reading and San Antonio.

Feel like Shakin’ your booty? You’re not the only one. The Altoona Curve and the Connecticut Destroyers had the same idea. Put on your platform shoes, long gold chains and Bee Gees t-shirts and head to the ballpark. Add it all up, that’s a lot of YMCA.

Free fireworks in: Birmingham, Bridgeport, Carolina, Connecticut, Hagerstown, Indianapolis, Iowa, Lansing, Las Vegas, Louisville, Modesto, New Hampshire, Newark, Omaha, Rancho Cucamonga, Sioux City, Stockton, Tacoma, Tennessee, Tucson, Vero Beach and Wichita.

Hey there knights, grab your wenches and head to Commerce Bank Ballpark for a trip back in time. The Somerset Patriots are bringing in actors from a local renaissance fair to entertain the crowd. There will be a mock battle complete with sword fighting on the field before the game, along with pre-game singing and dancing. Fans dressed in costumes from the middle ages receive reduced ticket prices. We here at MinorLeagueDugout.com think admission should be based on the middle-age custom of barter. Admission and four hot dogs for a family of four: one rabbit.

Thirsty Thursdays: Charlotte, Columbus (Ga.), Delmarva, Hagerstown, Jacksonville, Kannapolis, Modesto, Myrtle Beach, New Orleans, Southwest Michigan, Stockton and Tucson.

Reading honors late shift workers by scheduling a baseball game they can attend. First pitch in the Eastern League game against New Hampshire is at 9:30 a.m., allowing second and third shifters to take in a ball game before work. Reading is offering free coffee, soda and hot dogs before the game, and breakfast food will be available during the game at concession stands. Reading too far away? You can listen to the pre-game festivities on WEEU 830 AM

The Durham Bulls, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays’ Triple-A affiliate, are celebrating National Teacher Appreciation Day by giving free tickets to any member of the North Carolina Association of Educators for the nights’ International League contest against the Louisville Bats. No word on whether one of the requirements for the free ticket was having never taught a lacrosse player.