Tag Team’s party anthem “Whoomp! (There It Is)” has been a stadium and arena staple for more than 30 years. But lest we forget, its release came on the heels of a suspiciously similar song, “Whoot, There It Is” by 95 South. Welcome to the 95th edition of the Ben’s Biz Beat newsletter, dedicated now and always to original material for which there is no precedent. Let’s talk about Minor League Baseball. |
WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT: LOONS TO BECOME PONTOONERS
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“It’s partying in slow motion.”
That’s how Brian Worsley, assistant general manager of the Great Lakes Loons, describes what it’s like to spend a day on a pontoon boat. These vessels, boxy and buoyant, are often classified as pleasure boats.
“You’re out there with your friends and family on the lake, enjoying the day, enjoying time with people,” he elaborated. “That’s what it is. People will go out on the lake, and they’ll have communities of pontoons that hitch out by the sandbar and hang out. So, it’s just a relaxed time on the water.”
As their “Great Lakes” geographical signifier makes clear, the Midland, Michigan-based Loons are located in close proximity to plenty of water. Saginaw Bay, part of Lake Huron, is nearby, and there are innumerable smaller lakes throughout the area.
“People here, if they can get a pontoon boat out on the water, they’ll get one on the water,” said Worsley.
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From July 11-13, the Loons will bring these placid aquatic vibes to their home of Dow Diamond. The High-A Los Angeles Dodgers affiliate will play as the Pontooners as part of a themed weekend that will also include pontoon and party barge seating areas and ‘80s yacht rock dueling pianos as well as koozie and beach towel giveaways.
“It’s Michigan. We’ve got a very short window for summer and to be able to enjoy the outdoors,” said Worsley, regarding the motivation for the promotion. “It’s about squeezing every last ounce of fun out of the summer, with the inevitable Michigan winter closing in on us.”
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The Pontooners logo, created by San Diego-based design studio Brandiose, features an anthropomorphic pontoon boat atop a wavy rendering of the team’s name. Worsley said that it was important that the logos and uniforms “represented two rites of passage that fans experience each summer: Loons baseball and up north at the lake.” |
He continued, “We’ve got beautiful sunsets here in Michigan in the summer. At Dow Diamond you can stand out in center field on some summer nights and catch the most beautiful blue-orange-yellow sunset. So we took a color palette from that. … You’ll see someone tubing on the sleeve, and then the jersey itself is a sunset gradient.” |
Given Michigan’s “short window for summer,” the Loons often find themselves competing for fans’ attention with pontoon boating and other outdoor activities. So why not combine the two?
“It’s trying to bring that essence here to the ballpark and keep people in town when I know they want to get away,” said Worsley. “We can give them a little piece of that here.”
Great Lakes Addendum: Talking to Worsley about Dow Diamond sunsets reminded me of the one time I visited the Loons in 2013. I took the above photo of the sunset, but that was one of many highlights. For instance, I took part in an awesome between-inning “Wrecking Ball” contest that involved wearing pantyhose on my head and, well, just look at the picture.
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And while I have since retired from throwing out first pitches, my form was particularly impressive on this long-ago summer evening. |
My archives are vast, I tell you. Vast. But let’s return from Great Lakes past and enter the Great Lakes present: The Loons’ new “Northern Lights" display, “an unforgettable symphony of lights and baseball magic,” is spectacular. |
TOP OF THE CROPS: WINSTON-SALEM MEETS THE BEETLES
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Staying within the realm of High-A baseball, but moving quite a bit farther south, we have yet another new alternate identity. On Aug. 9, the Winston-Salem Dash will play a game as the Tobacco Beetles. In the tradition of the Piedmont Boll Weevils and Savannah Sand Gnats, this is a tribute, of sorts, to a major pest. Tobacco was once the lifeblood of Winston-Salem’s economy; tobacco beetles (also known as cigarette beetles) did their best to decimate the crop. The Dash’s Tobacco Beetle, well-dressed and well-heeled, drives a Model T Ford.
READ ABOUT THE WINSTON-SALEM TOBACCO BEETLES HERE
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This is Josh Jackson, taking advantage of a break in the weather to say hello. You know me as host of Ghost of the Minors, the segment on The Show Before the Show podcast that challenges you to pick the real historical Minor League Baseball team or player hiding among fakes.
Last time, we lingered true and fair with Smoke Justis. This week, I ask you which of these teams authored its destiny in the Minors of yesteryear:
A. The Hemingway Cubs
B. The Fitzgerald A's
C. The Joyceville Pirates
For the answer, check out the next Ghosts of the Minors on The Show Before the Show!
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CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY IN THE MINOR LEAGUES |
With Black History Month coming to a close, Josh Jackson and I put together an article detailing some of the many ways that Minor League teams have paid tribute to Black teams and players. You’ll find nine examples therein, which seemed fitting. Jackie Robinson wore no. 9 during his lone Minor League season in 1946, prior to adopting his iconic 42.
READ ABOUT MINOR LEAGUE TRIBUTES TO BLACK BASEBALL TEAMS HERE
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In other Black History Month news: my colleague Michael Avallone wrote an entertaining and insightful article on Darryl Strawberry’s Minor League career. It includes Strawberry’s recollections of coming up through the Mets system, detailing the challenges he faced along the way. Read it HERE.
Oh, and one more thing: Josh Jackson (yes, him again, sorry) wrote about the Birmingham Black Barons. This legendary Negro League franchise featured the likes of Willie Mays and Satchel Paige over its four-decade run at Rickwood Field. The Birmingham Barons will host the Montgomery Biscuits at Rickwood Field on June 18, followed by a game between Mays’ San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals on June 20.
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READER OF THE WEEK: PAUL FINAZZO |
Paul writes:
I am a big fan of Minor League Baseball. My friend Marty and I have been going on Minor League Ballpark trips together since 2002. He has set up a Facebook page at "Greco Finazzo Baseball Road Trip." Usually we pick a different part of the country to visit. We have visited 28 of 30 Major League ballparks as well, during our road trips. When Marty tells people our story, we always get enthusiastic responses. Many people have told us they wish they could take a baseball road trip. We have seen ballparks in the 48 contiguous states, including states that no longer have teams.
I am a season-ticket holder for the Inland Empire 66ers and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. I live in Fontana, California, right in between the two California League teams. These two teams have the best mascots that I have ever seen. Tremor has had the same person under the costume for 30 years. Bernie has changed recently, but he is still one of my favorites on the field.
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Speaking of Tremor and the performer who plays him, I wrote an article about just this in 2017 and it’s one of my favorites. My archives are vast, I tell you. Vast.
If you would like to potentially be featured as a Reader of the Week, tell me about yourself: benjamin.hill@mlb.com. Or just get in touch for any reason at all. I’m not picky. Thanks for reading.
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