The Crosscutters released their 2015 promotion schedule this past week. I must say, it looks pretty awesome. Some teams have had some pretty bad promotions though. Let’s take a look at the five worst baseball promotions ever.
5. Nobody Night- Charleston RiverDogs
Most, if not all baseball promotions feature some sort of giveaway or contest in order to draw fans to the game. This was the exact opposite. In 2002, the RiverDogs executives thought it would be interesting to have a game with an official attendance of zero. Thus, they locked the gates to the stadium keeping fans out until the fifth inning, when the game was official. This included season ticket holders, fans who purchased single game tickets in advance, and people purchasing tickets on game day. The team made baseball history by becoming the only team in the Minor or Major Leagues to record an attendance zero. They remained the only team to do so until the Baltimore Orioles closed a game to the public in April of 2015 due to riots in the city.
4. Toilet Seat Night- Hudson Valley Renegades
The NYPL has had some pretty classic promotions in their existence. This one should be put on the shelf and never be taken down. Just like Wheezy from Toy Story 2. The Renegades gave out toilet seat-shaped stadium cushions to 3,000 fans. I guess a square one with the team logo on it wasn’t adequate.
3. Car Freshener and Inflatable Guitar Giveaway- Florida Marlins
One would think a team with attendance troubles would put a bit more effort and excitement into a promotion. Not the Marlins. In 2008, the team gave away air fresheners for your car and inflatable guitars…in the same night. That combination is like mixing staples and milk, they are so far apart from each other by all standards. Not to mention boring. Also, why go to a Marlins game to get these things when Dollar Tree has both?
2. Anti-Doping Night- Vero Beach Devil Rays
What better way to celebrate the 2008 Beijing Games than Olympic Night? However, to ensure safe and fair competition, the Devil Rays held anti-doping night two days before Olympic Night. Perhaps this was an effort to steer youth away from steroids, as they were rampant at the time in the Majors. A bad idea with good intentions. There was a giveaway this night— the first 200 fans received free urine sample cups.
1. Disco Demolition Night- Chicago White Sox
A night that will be remembered forever in baseball history. The White Sox charged .98 cents for a single admission double header to fans that brought a disco record. The vinyls would be destroyed between games via an explosion set off by Chicago disc jockey Steve Dahl. The promotion was a success, as the attendance at Comiskey Park was over double the goal of 20,000 fans. The explosion was also carried out successfully. However the events that followed were less than pleasing to baseball fans. Thousands of people stormed the field, causing the postponement of Game 2. The crowd woulds stay on the field until riot police dispersed them. Thirty-nine arrests were made. The game would be forfeited the next day by order of AL President, Lee MacPhail.
All of the Cutters 2015 promotions look fun, interesting, and safe. Check out the Promo Schedule
here.
Photo Credit: outernetweb.com
