The best Minor League ballpark promotions happening in September
Welcome to Promo Preview, a monthly roundup of Minor League Baseball promotions to look forward to. The season ends in September (dates vary, depending on the level of play), so don’t delay. Get out to the ballpark today and take advantage of theme nights and giveaways such as these:
Welcome to Promo Preview, a monthly roundup of Minor League Baseball promotions to look forward to. The season ends in September (dates vary, depending on the level of play), so don’t delay. Get out to the ballpark today and take advantage of theme nights and giveaways such as these:
Huntsville Stars Night
Rocket City Trash Pandas (Double-A LAA), Sept. 7
The Trash Pandas are located in Madison, Ala., a suburb of Huntsville. Their 2021 arrival filled the Minor League Baseball void that had been left by the Huntsville Stars, who relocated to Biloxi, Miss., following the 2014 season. For this year’s iteration of the Trash Pandas’ annual tribute to the Stars, the team will take the field in red throwback jerseys. If you’re in town for the game, consider stopping by the Stars’ old home of Joe Davis Stadium. The facility has since been renovated, and now hosts Huntsville’s professional soccer team. Tickets »
Final game at Trustmark Park, with commemorative coin giveaway
Mississippi Braves (Double-A ATL), Sept. 8
The Mississippi Braves are in the homestretch of their existence, as in 2025 the Jackson-area Southern League club will relocate to Columbus, Georgia. Sept. 8 will be the M-Braves’ final regular season game at Trustmark Park, which they have called home since their inaugural season of 2005. The first 1,000 fans through the gates receive a Trustmark Park commemorative coin, and after the game kids can run the bases. Running the bases is something that the M-Braves have done a lot of this season, as they broke their franchise stolen base record of 159 back on July 20. This fleet-footed squad remains within striking distance of a second-half division title, so maybe Trustmark Park has some postseason baseball in its future as well. Tickets »
LaMichael Mitchell bobblehead giveaway
Charlotte Knights (Triple-A CWS), Sept. 12
LaMichael Mitchell is the Charlotte Knights’ biggest fan and has been since the 1990s (he once wrote a guest post for this writer’s blog, titled “Why I Love the Charlotte Knights”). Mitchell keeps score at every game and is known throughout the organization (and the city of Charlotte) for his enthusiasm, loyalty and kindness. Prior to the July 31 game, the Knights surprised Mitchell with the announcement that Sept. 12 will be LaMichael Mitchell Night. The first 1,000 fans through the gates at Truist Field will receive a bobblehead of LaMichael, which depicts him wearing Knights gear and, of course, keeping score. Tickets »
Razor Shines Weekend
Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A PIT), Sept. 13-15
Triple-A heroes don’t get much more heroic than Razor Shines, who played parts of nine seasons with the Indianapolis Indians. During that time (1984-89; ’91-93) he was part of multiple championship winning teams, established himself in the record books and became one of the franchise’s most popular players. During Razor Shines Weekend, the Indians will retire his No. 3 jersey and give away T-shirts and bobbleheads. Shines will be there as well, of course, throwing out first pitches, signing autographs and basking in the well-deserved adulation. Razor is a cut above. Tickets »
Fan Appreciation Day
Portland Sea Dogs (Double-A BOS), Sept. 14
Portland’s annual Fan Appreciation promotion, first staged in 1997, was inspired by a 1989 baseball movie you may be familiar with. Prior to the game the players and coaches, wearing 1926 Portland Eskimos throwback uniforms, emerge from a cornfield and walk onto Hadlock Field’s outfield grass. Following this cinematic entrance, they proceed into the stands and personally thank fans for the support they’ve provided throughout the season. Few, if any, fan appreciation promos can match the mystique and grandeur that this annual tradition reliably delivers. Tickets »
‘Last Game’ ball giveaway
Tennessee Smokies (Double-A CHC), Sept. 15
The aforementioned Mississippi Braves aren’t the only Southern League team that is saying goodbye to its ballpark. The Tennessee Smokies, located in the town of Sevierville, will move to a new facility in nearby Knoxville next season. Sept. 15 marks the last regular season game at Smokies Stadium, with the first 2,000 fans receiving a commemorative ‘Last Game’ baseball. The Smokies currently hold a formidable lead in their division, however, so fans very well might have additional opportunities to say goodbye. There’s no better way to close out a ballpark than winning a championship. Tickets »
Quick Hits
Five more upcoming promotions of note, recapped in 38 words or less.
Calf Fries socks giveaway
Amarillo Sod Poodles (Double-A AZ), Sept. 1
The Sod Poodles debuted their Calf Fries alternate identity last season, to resounding success. Thanks to this sock giveaway, fans can display Calf Fries on calves and thighs. Tickets »
Night of Horrible Promotions
Hickory Crawdads (High-A TEX), Sept. 5
Being good is overrated. On this very special evening, the Crawdads report that they will rig their on-field games and play awful music. Embrace the putridity. Tickets »
Brian Windhorst bobblehead giveaway
Akron RubberDucks (Double-A CLE), Sept. 14
Before he entered the upper echelon of the NBA media ecosystem, Brian Windhorst was just a kid from Akron. The RubberDucks pay tribute to the local boy who made good the only way they know how: with a bobblehead. Tickets »
Josh Whetzel bobblehead giveaway
Rochester Red Wings (Triple-A WAS), Sept. 21
Josh Whetzel, voice of the Red Wings since 2003, is honored with a bobblehead that depicts him in a familiar situation: Headset on, microphone in front of him and scorebook at the ready. Tickets »
Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes Ben's Biz Blog. Follow Ben on Twitter @bensbiz.
Red Wings Soar Past Bisons For First Win Of 2025
Looking to bounce back from their Opening Day loss, the Rochester Red Wings came out on top against the Buffalo Bisons in a rain-shortened Saturday afternoon contest, 8-3. Four Red Wings hitters turned in multi-hit performances, led by 2B Trey Lipscomb with three. Buffalo was held to just three hits
Red Wings Fall in Buffalo on Opening Day
The Rochester Red Wings opened their 97th season of International League baseball Friday night, and fell to the Buffalo Bisons at Sahlen Field by a score of 6-2. LHP Andrew Alvarez fired 5.0 solid innings without allowing an earned run on the mound, before Buffalo used a four-run sixth to
Homestand Highlights April 1-6
The Red Wings take on the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Philadelphia Phillies) for the first homestand of the 2025 season! Tickets for all Red Wings home games are available around-the-clock at RedWingsBaseball.com, over the phone at (585) 423-9464, or in-person at the Red Wings Ticket Office from 10 am - 4
RED WINGS TRANSITION TO CASHLESS STARTING IN 2025
ROCHESTER, NY – In an effort to enhance fan convenience and improve the overall experience at Innovative Field, the Rochester Red Wings are excited to announce that starting in 2025, the ballpark will transition to a CASHLESS environment. This will apply to all transactions, including concessions, merchandise, parking, and tickets.
Seven Red Wings To Shine In Second Annual MLB Spring Breakout Event
ROCHESTER, NY—The Washington Nationals, along with Major League Baseball, have announced their roster for the second annual MLB Spring Breakout, which is aimed at highlighting the depth of talent within Minor League Baseball and providing a platform for baseball’s top prospects to exhibit their skills on a national stage. Seven
Baseball's Back Bash Returns Friday, March 21
ROCHESTER, NY - The Rochester Red Wings will host their eighth annual Baseball’s Back Bash, presented by Zweigle’s, on Friday, March 21 at Innovative Field. This FREE event, marking the official return of fans to the ballpark for the first time in 2025, will run from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
2025 PRELIMINARY PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE
ROCHESTER, NY - The Rochester Red Wings have announced their 2025 preliminary promotional schedule ahead of their April 1 home opener at Innovative Field. The promotional schedule will comprise of 21 fireworks nights, 13 chances for kids to run the bases, six replica jersey giveaways, three bobblehead giveaways, and much
Red Wings To Host 92nd Annual American Legion Welcome Home Dinner
ROCHESTER, NY – The Rochester Red Wings are thrilled to announce the return of the 92nd Annual American Legion Rochester Red Wings WELCOME HOME DINNER on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at Innovative Field on the suite level. This cherished tradition, held for the first time since 2019, will provide fans
Red Wings Announce 50-Degree Guarantee for Opening Day
ROCHESTER, NY - Despite an inaccurate prediction in 2024, DAN MASON, also known as the “Duke of Doppler” and the General Manager of the Rochester Red Wings, has once again made his 50-degree guarantee for Opening Day. The Red Wings are set to kick off their 2025 home campaign on
Red Wings Mourn the Passing of Hall of Famer Rich Dauer
ROCHESTER, NY – The Rochester Red Wings are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Red Wings Hall of Famer (Class of 2019) RICH DAUER, who died today at the age of 72. Dauer, a standout second baseman for the Red Wings in the mid-1970s, was an integral part
HOW MANY former Red Wings are in the HOF?
The Baseball Hall of Fame announced the election of three new members last night. CC Sabathia, Ichiro Suzuki and Billy Wagner all garnered enough votes to earn enshrinement this summer in Cooperstown. Dave Parker and the late Dick Allen will also be inducted into the Hall July 27 after they
Red Wings 2025 Tickets On Sale Thursday
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Rochester Red Wings are excited to announce that single-game tickets for the 2025 season will go on sale, online only, tomorrow, Thursday, January 16, in honor of 75 days until Opening Day. Tickets will be available exclusively at RedWingsBaseball.com starting at 10:00 a.m. and will include
Matthew LeCroy to Manage Red Wings for Fifth Consecutive Season
ROCHESTER, NY - The Washington Nationals announced on Wednesday that MATTHEW LECROY will return for his fifth season as the Rochester Red Wings Manager in 2025. With 873 career MiLB managerial wins, LeCroy managed the Red Wings to a 77-71 record in 2025 while utilizing 61 different players. LeCroy becomes
Rochester Natives, Ernie Clement and Casey Saucke to sign Autographs at Innovative Field Saturday, November 30
The Rochester Red Wings have announced that Toronto Blue Jays infielder, and Brighton-native, ERNIE CLEMENT, and Chicago White Sox outfielder, and Greece-native, CASEY SAUCKE, will sign autographs in the Red Wings Team Store at Innovative Field Saturday, November 30 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. The Red Wings will be
Red Wings Kevin Johnston Wins Visiting Clubhouse Manager Of The Year
Minor League Baseball (MiLB) announced today that KEVIN JOHNSTON has been named the International League's Visiting Clubhouse Manager of the Year. Johnston, who is entering his 25th year with the Rochester Red Wings, has been recognized for his exceptional dedication to providing a professional and welcoming environment for visiting teams
Red Wings' Dylan Crews Wings 2024 Rawlings Gold Glove Award
The Rochester Red Wings, Minor League Baseball (MiLB), and Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc., have announced that outfielder DYLAN CREWS has been honored with the 2024 Rawlings Gold Glove Award for his outstanding defensive performance with both Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester during the 2024 season. This prestigious accolade recognizes
A Tribute to Fernando Valenzuela
Baseball lost an icon on Tuesday when Fernando Valenzuela passed away at 63 years old. While spending most of his career with the Dodgers, Valenzuela was a legend in Los Angeles and especially within the Latin American community. He also is one of the greatest pitchers to have ever donned
A.I. Thinks James Wood is How Good?
In the realm of baseball analytics, artificial intelligence offers groundbreaking insights into player performance. As an A.I. Robot powered by a large language model (LLM), I’ve been keeping an eye on James Wood, the highly-touted prospect for the Rochester Red Wings in the Washington Nationals organization, and let me tell
Chris Colabello, Dyar Miller, Fred Valentine to be Inducted into Red Wings Hall of Fame
The Rochester Red Wings announced today that a trio of former players have been elected to the club’s Hall of Fame. DYAR MILLER, CHRIS COLABELLO, and FRED VALENTINE will become the 105th, 106th, and 107th members of the Red Wings Hall of Fame when they are inducted on Friday, September
RED WINGS RELEASE 2025 SCHEDULE
The Rochester Red Wings have announced their 2025 Regular Season schedule, featuring 150 games set to begin March 28 in Buffalo. The Red Wings will celebrate their home opener on April 1 at Innovative Field. This will mark the Red Wings' 135th season as a member of the International League.
Mauer Becomes the 26th Hall of Famer with Ties to Red Wings Franchise, Celebrating a Rich Tradition of Excellence
The rich tradition of Rochester professional baseball added another notch to its belt last weekend in Cooperstown, NY with the induction of Joe Mauer into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. While his time with the Red Wings was brief—consisting of eight games in a pair of rehab stints with
Blankenhorn Joins the Ranks of Red Wings Legends with Career-High 24 Home Runs
A Career-Best Season Today marks a significant milestone in Travis Blankenhorn's career as he hits his 24th home run of the season. 24 long balls is the most he has ever launched in a single season, and ranks him second in the International League, just three off the lead. This
Wings, Golisano Children's Hospital Partner for All-Stars Initiative
The Rochester Red Wings and UR Medicine's Golisano Children's Hospital have announced a partnership that will provide a unique gameday experience for patients and their families over the course of the 2023 baseball season.
They're due! MiLB's longest active title droughts
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Here are 10 of the top Minor League jerseys in 2024
Fans typically buy a sports jersey because of who's wearing it. But in the Minor Leagues, what’s on a jersey can often mean so much more. Teams have a way of making fans part of franchises by bringing local culture into their jersey and theme nights. “It's taking pride in