A Promotion With A Peel

July 22, 2009

It is a very, very busy time of year, and lately I have found myself utilizing swimming metaphors in an attempt to describe my workplace situation. Often, I feel like I am drowning. Today, at the least, I am treading water. Of course, the ultimate goal is to be doing a competent breaststroke in an Olympic-sized pool. I’m not there yet, but I can dream.

Now that I’ve at least partially sabotaged myself with an unwieldy intro, let me move on to what this post is REALLY about: The extravaganza of spuds that was the Idaho Falls Chukars’ “Potato Night” promotion.

Chukars media relations director John Hadden has provided me with a veritable truckload of Potato Night information, en route to setting a new record in the category of “most pictures sent to Ben’s Biz Blog in regard to a single promotion.”

That record? 17. Therefore, I feel it would be a good idea to switch this post to a different setting. For a text-based description of what went on, click HERE. Otherwise, stick with me as I present a cornucopia of photos from a promotion that was anything but half-baked. In fact, it was over-stuffed (not to mention good in the sack).

Before the gates at Melaleuca Field opened, fans were given the opportunity to have their picture taken with a two-ton potato, courtesy of the Spuds Drive-In:

Incidentally, the Spud Drive-In Theater looks like an incredible place to see a movie. Check out the website HERE. But speaking of oversized potatoes, check out this gigantic nightmare-inducing inflatable stationed outside of the stadium:

The first 100 fans in attendance received Spuddy Buddies, which the team describes as “plush potato dolls with arms and legs.”

Those who didn’t arrive early enough to receive a Spuddy Buddy still had the chance to get one later in the evening, when they were tossed into the crowd like so much potato detritus. These shots are classic:

The evening’s illustrious guests included Junior Miss Blackfoot Paige Pearson (Blackfoot, ID is the potato capital of the world), as well as King and Queen Russet.

Meanwhile, a special concession stand option was “Spud Fudge“:

The first pitch was, of course, a potato:

Moonlighting pitcher Ivor Hodgson apparently decided to stash said potato in his back pocket, perhaps in a bid to later replicate the infamous Bresnahan Potato Incident:

Between-inning contests included a mashed-potato eating contest and, of course, a sack race:

Winners received Potato Trophies:

Unfortunately, no visual evidence exists of one of the evening’s most interesting innovations. Writes Hadden:

“We did fire a potato gun at the end of the anthem. It was about eight feet long,  took three interns to operate, and launched a
potato over the right-centerfield wall.”

If anyone wants to send me a drawing depicting the above description, I would most definitely post it.

Finally, TWO HOURS worth of potato-themed music was played over the PA. Prior to the promotion, I suggested to Hadden that the following song be incorporated. He assured me that it was:

In the offseason I plan on putting together a comprehensive report regarding ways in which the music of Weird Al can be incorporated into promotions. I’m not sure how long I’ll be at this job, but one thing is certain: I will not rest until Weird Al has absolutely inundated the Minor League landscape.

benjamin.hill@mlb.com

Written by BensBiz Posted in Dailies Tagged with Idaho Falls Chukars, Potatoes, promos, Self-Sabotage, Spud Fudge, Spuddy Buddies, Swimming Metaphors, Weird Al Yankovic