The Pigs split a double header in Scranton tonight. I listened to a little of the broadcast and could easily tell by the “OINK” chants that the Pig fans were in attendance. The trip to Moosic is well worth it.
So on to my opinion.. and this is my opinion and not intended to sway your thoughts or ideals, just to express my feelings on this topic.
Baseball Game Giveaways.
At times, and often frequently in the case of the Ironpigs, there are promotional items given away to a certain number of fans who attend a ball game. Whether it is a free t-shirt or glass or soft toss ball or bobble head.. these items all have one thing in common. They are all sponsored by a company or group that wants to promote itself. Everything has an ad attached and is usually of medium to low quality. (Think umbrellas, plastic cups, etc)
Now some of these things are cool. The world series replica rings… yeah, they were cool but the small plastic rings reminded me of when Cracker Jack put more than just tattoos as a prize in each box. The bobble heads seem to be a favorite, but would you stand in line to pay more than $5 for one of these?
Granted, children love this stuff.. and they should. The thing that really gets me is how the older folks react to either getting or not getting these give aways. I’ve seen furious people arguing that they deserve a give away. I’ve seen people attempt to steal a give away. I’ve seen people walking around buying give aways. The day after a give away I always see some on ebay with astronomical prices. (List prices, not selling prices)
I just don’t understand how someone can get so involved with collecting this stuff. Chances are it ends up on a shelf and down the road it moves on to either the trash or a yard sale box.
So for every giveaway there are publically announced restrictions and limits. One per person. Age 18 and older, age 12 and under. Women only. Men only. First 1,000 fans. First 3,000 fans. It is mind blowing how many people do not understand this. On days with giveaways you can walk by fan services and hear the complaints. “I got here just 10 minutes after the gates opened and I didn’t get my plastic cup!!! I need a cup! Where is my cup!? I NEED IT!” Only once did I respond to someone by saying, “People started getting in line 3 hours before the gates opened. If you want one… try getting here earlier” By this woman’s reaction you would have thought that I just place kicked a box of kittens.
So anyways, my opinion is this. Leave the toys, the cups, the whatever they give away to the kids. They are the folks who appreciate that stuff. Would I like a bobble head? Sure. Would I like to see a child cry because I got the last bobble head? No. I usually end up giving anything I get away to the closest kid.
It is really nice for the team, and/or their sponsors, to give away stuff before the game but if you don’t happen to get something.. be cool about it. No matter how much you argue it’s not going to magically make an item show up. Keep in mind that you are there for the game and the entertainment is for the kids. Keep it fun.
That’s all I have to say about that.
OinK!
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
To date, my favorite item was the Ironpigs mousepads last year. I got 2 and my second one is almost worn out. Many of the other items make cool (and cheap) gifts.
Did anyone else notice that the guy who almost threw a perfect game against the Phillies Saturday night was the same guy who pitched against the Ironpigs in the 16 inning game on May 18th? Travis Wood threw 8 innings in that game while allowing 1 run on 2 hits, both coming off the bat of John Mayberry. The Louisville Bats eventually won the game 2-1.
Domonic Brown was removed from the Futures Game today in the first inning with a tight hamstring. He tweaked the hamstring moving to third on a wild pitch after driving in the first run of the game on an infield single. Don Baylor, manager of Team USA had Domonic batting in the 4th.
Once upon a time I wrote a manifesto “50 Things to Change about Coca Cola Park.” Some of the points I’ve touched on here in noisenation, in my responses. I originally intended to forward the article to the Powers That Be with the ‘Pigs as a sort of digital suggestion box response. Ultimately, some of the items were silly, or impractical, or financially impossible, so I deleted it.
Now, I’m not the kind of guy who has time to sit around and write this stuff if I don’t care; I just move on. Plus, it’s easy to hate on the ‘Pigs–and I don’t want to be seen as doing that. So I hold back a ton.
One of the original points I wrote was with regard to the giveaways. My original premise was that the giveaways are important: when I talk to someone about “the game tonight,” the question isn’t “who’re they playing?” or “who’s in town?” but “what’s the giveaway?” So, my solution was, to make sure that most of the giveaways, when possible, are available to everybody.
Not all 10k, mind you, just not dependent on gender or age. From my perspective, I almost always go with one of my kids, and either he gets the giveaway, or I do, but not both–so I can’t take them home and give one to the other kiddo.
Upon reading Dan’s thoughts above, I can’t help but agree. At the end of the day, I don’t need more cheap plastic cr*p around my house. My perspective is somewhat different, though, as giveaways are guaranteed on the club level. I’ve even picked one up on the way out of the park if I was on the fence about even getting it (see also: desktop ring). Plus, my ticket rep said once: “if you don’t get one, just let me know; there’s always extras around.” I’ve never taken him up on it, as I ask him for enough favors as it is. Remind me some time to write about another original idea for The Coke: Concierge Ticket Service.
So here’s my final answer:
1) pressure sponsors to provide a more significant minimum number–say, 4k or 5k or 7k.
2) continue to try to provide something most every night, if possible
3) guarantee for club level expires at the top of the third. Make any remaining giveaways available through some kind of request or auction at fan services….perhaps to benefit IronPigs charities. (note: they already do some of this with the crazy spin games and whatnot, but I think it’s to benefit…them?)
4) barring that, any OTHER remaining items to be distributed at the season ticket holder events. (ie. picnic or bp party)
So those are my ideas. Anyone else?
Good thoughts!
I kept a copy of the Call article listing the promo items, and frankly I can’t care about most of them… even the caps, and that’s not just because they might not fit my melon head.
The magnet schedule from home game #2 is OK (tho the fridge it is currently on is loaded with enough magnets to possibly make it difficult to open).
The wall calendar could be interesting (if there’s any returns for that night, which is v the Yanks…)
I’m more interested in these ‘heritage’ nights and Bring Your Dog To The Game…
And thanks for the update on Brown, Decal… 🙂
My dog Wally enjoys those dog days too!
I too think they should have more giveaways for kids. I know a few times, they gave out one to the first x amount of fans. Being that we have 4 people in our family, who needs 4 baseballs or 4 magnets? I will get them for the boys and tell them no thanks for the other 2. Hopefully a kid can get them instead of a greedy adult.
I will admit though, most of the stuff gets packed in a box and are in the basement, with the exceptions of the bobbleheads. Those are on shelves in the boys bedrooms.
I do like the idea of auctioning them off for the IronPigs charities. I’m sure the stuff on the wheel is just to benefit their pockets.