Top 10 upcoming promotions
Ottawa Lynx (International League)
Stanley Cup Scavenger Hunt (Wednesday, May 30 - Friday, June 1)
Champion Chairs (Monday, June 4 vs. Richmond Braves)
Stanley Cup fever has infected the citizens of Ottawa, as the hometown Senators are currently playing the Anaheim Ducks in the NHL Finals. The Lynx, hoping to capitalize on their city's mania for all things Senators, have devised an elaborate scavenger hunt that will result in one lucky fan winning tickets to Game 3 of the Finals. Fans must comb the city for 16 hidden items -- one for every playoff win needed to win the Cup -- and bring them back to Lynx Stadium in order to be entered into a draw for the tickets. Then, on Monday, 50 fans will be given the chance to win tickets to Game 4 by competing in a grueling (yet, "no-contact") musical chairs competition that will take place following that afternoon's game against the Braves.
Rochester Red Wings (International League)
Boog Powell Appearance (Thursday, May 31 vs. Richmond Braves)
Bobby Grich Appearance (Monday, June 4 vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees)
The Red Wings are currently an affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, but prior to that the club enjoyed a 42-year relationship with the Baltimore Orioles. This week, the Red Wings welcome two of their most distinguished alumni to Frontier Field, both of whom have strong ties to the Orioles. On Thursday, 1961 International League home run champion Boog Powell will grace the team with his lumbering presence. Then, on Monday, slugging second baseman Bobby Grich will be on hand. Both men will be available to sign autographs prior to the ballgame.
Indianapolis Indians (International League)
Lombardi Trophy Night (Thursday, May 31 vs. Buffalo Bisons)
Connersvine Concert (Saturday, June 2 vs. Charlotte Knights)
The Colts are the reigning Super Bowl Champions, and it's a safe bet that the city of Indianapolis will never tire of celebrating this accomplishment. On Thursday, the Lombardi Trophy will be on display at aptly named Victory Field during that evening's contest against the Bisons. Additionally, Colts cheerleaders and team mascot Blue will sign autographs and pose for pictures, and the memorabilia-filled "Colts in Motion" trailer will be parked outside the stadium throughout the game. Finally (and perhaps most intriguingly), tight end Ben Utecht will sing the National Anthem. If that somehow doesn't satisfy your craving to see a singing Colt, punter Hunter Smith's Christian rock band, Connersvine, will perform prior to Saturday's game against the Knights. Make sure to request their hit song "Hungerlove." It's a hot track.
New Britain Rock Cats (Eastern League)
Yankees-Red Sox Rivalry Night/Pint Glass Giveaway/Piggy Bank Giveaway
Thursday, May 31 vs. Binghamton Mets
Central Connecticut is an area of the country where Major League rooting interests are split between the Yankees and Red Sox. On Thursday, the Rock Cats will attempt to determine once and for all which team has the most fans in New Britain by asking all who attend the game to vote for their favorite (is "neither" an option?). Additionally, the fan who expresses his or her preference most creatively will be awarded two tickets to an upcoming game at either Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park. Regardless of rooting interest, fans 21 and over will receive a pint glass, while those 12 and under get a piggy bank. Those between the ages of 13-20 will simply be left to wallow in self-indulgent adolescent misery.
Syracuse Chiefs (International League)
Appearance by Steve MacDonald, the World's Strongest Man
Friday, June 1 vs. Columbus Clippers
In 2006, Pittsburgh native Steve MacDonald earned nationwide recognition when he won the American Strongman competition. He followed that up a few months later by setting a world record in the "Man Stone Lift," as he picked up a massive rock weighing 552 pounds. On Friday, MacDonald will visit Syracuse's Alliance Bank Stadium, where he will greet fans (handshakes not recommended, lest you be subjected to MacDonald's crushing death grip), sign autographs and throw out the game's ceremonial first pitch. He will then scowl menacingly at the visitors' dugout until the ballgame is over.
Fresno Grizzlies (Pacific Coast League)
"Price is Right" Night featuring Bob "Parker" Bobblehead Giveaway
Saturday, June 2 vs. Albuquerque Isotopes
Bob Barker's 35-year reign as the host of "The Price is Right" comes to an end on June 15, so the Grizzlies have planned a night that revolves around the beloved game show. Fans who attend Saturday's game will don name tags, and be invited to "Come on Down!" for between-inning pricing games and showcase showdowns. Grizzly players will wear "Price is Right"-themed jerseys, which, according to a press release, "will be modeled after the show's signature style and symbols" (when it comes to imagining what those will look like, your guess is as good as mine). Finally, 2500 "Bob Parker" bobbleheads will be given away. These beautiful items depict Parker, the Grizzles mascot, dressed as Bob Barker. It's enough to make your head explode.
Greensboro Grasshoppers (South Atlantic League)
Miss Babe Ruth Figurine Giveaway
Sunday, June 3 vs. West Virginia Power
The Grasshoppers' "Miss Babe Ruth" figurine does not honor either of the Hall of Famer's wives. Nor does it commemorate anything having to do with the similarly named candy bar. "Miss Babe Ruth" (or, "The Great Bambina", as she is sometimes known) is actually the Grasshoppers' canine mascot. A black Labrador retriever, Miss Babe Ruth attends every game at Greensboro's First Horizon Park, greeting fans as they arrive in addition to assisting the umpires and grounds crew. Only 1,500 Miss Babe Ruth figurines will be given away, so make sure to arrive early. Otherwise, you'll be forced to live with a nagging sense of regret for the remainder of your time on Earth.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (California League)
Steve Sax Appearance
Sunday, June 3 vs. Lake Elsinore Storm
Last season, former Los Angeles Dodger (and New York Yankee and Chicago White Sock and Oakland Athletic) Steve Sax made a promotional appearance for the Class A Short-Season Orem Owlz. This year, he's been promoted to Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga. On Sunday afternoon, the renowned base stealer will be in attendance at The Epicenter, the dramaticallnamed home of the Quakes. Sax will sign autographs, pose for pictures and pretend that you're the first person who has ever approached him and made a reference to his guest spot on "The Simpsons" in 1992.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Carolina League)
Adam West Appearance
Tuesday, June 5 vs. Lynchburg Hillcats
Adam West, TV's "Batman," is lucky that he hasn't been blacklisted by the Grand Council of Minor League Promotion Directors. Last season, the affable actor was booked to appear at Altoona's Blair County Park on three separate occasions, and cancelled each time. The Pelicans, brave souls that they are, have decided to overlook West's legacy of shattered hopes and broken dreams, and have booked him to appear at Tuesday's game against the Hillcats. Hopefully, West has turned over a new leaf when it comes to how seriously he takes his promotional responsibilities. If the caped crusader bails out once again, it will shatter the delicate psyches of trusting fans from all over the Myrtle Beach area. Don't let us down, Adam. We love you.
Wilmington Blue Rocks (Carolina League)
Mr. Celery T-Shirt Giveaway
Tuesday, June 5 vs. Kinston Indians
The Blue Rocks' just keep churning out the Mr. Celery merchandise, secure in their knowledge that any promotional item bearing the anthropomorphic vegetable's likeness will be an instant success. And why shouldn't it be? In spite (or perhaps because of) his dubious connection to the game of baseball, Mr. Celery has risen to prominence in the mascot community. Tuesday's Mr. Celery T-shirt giveaway (free to the first 1,250 kids in attendance) comes in the midst of a jam-packed promotional week for the Blue Rocks. The club will be giving away backpacks on Monday and bobblehead dolls of manager John Mizerock on Wednesday.
Benjamin Hill is a contributor to MLB.com