Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Welcome to 2025’s final edition of Promo Preview, a monthly roundup of Minor League Baseball’s best giveaways and theme nights. The season ends this month: Sept. 7 in Single-A and High-A; Sept. 14 in Double-A and Sept. 21 in Triple-A. Get out to a game while there’s still time!
Hill Country Flood Relief Fundraiser
Various Texas League teams and dates, Aug. 29-Sept. 12
On Aug. 9, the San Antonio Missions took the field wearing the jerseys of Hill Country high schools that had been affected by the devastating floods that occurred during July 4 weekend. The entirety of the Texas League is now following suit. Over the course of the next two weeks, the nine other teams in the Double-A circuit will stage their own flood relief fundraising night. Specifics vary, but in each case the players will wear Hill Country jerseys that are auctioned off after the game. More »
Leaf Peepers
Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A COL), Sept. 3
Baseball is primarily a summer sport, so autumnal alternate identities are rare. The Yard Goats herald the coming fall when they make their debut as the Leaf Peepers, a tribute to New England’s bountiful, beauteous foliage. Yard Goats general manager Mike Abramson, speaking in February, said that Leaf Peepers logo brainstorming “started with several iterations of a person with binoculars huddled in bushes and peeping out and it just never seemed catchy enough.” Hence the final product, featuring a leaf with bulging eyes. A peeping leaf, as it were.
Rascal and Rosie One-Year Anniversary Party and Bobblehead
Hudson Valley Renegades (High-A NYY), Sept. 6
Minor League Baseball’s greatest raccoon love story continues apace. Longtime Hudson Valley Renegades mascot Rascal went on his first date with Rosie in June 2023. After a whirlwind courtship they got engaged that September, with a wedding ceremony taking place at the ballpark in 2024. Now the Renegades are hosting Rosie and Rascal’s one-year anniversary party at the ballpark, complete with a dual bobblehead featuring the happy couple.
Fan Appreciation Night
Portland Sea Dogs (Double-A BOS), Sept. 6
The most famous fan appreciation promo in the Minor Leagues is back for another go-round, as Portland Sea Dogs players will once again wear vintage uniforms and emerge pregame from a temporary center field cornfield. This “Field of Dreams”-inspired endeavor was first staged in 1997 and has been a Hadlock Field tradition ever since. The Sea Dogs built it and the fans, they come.
Garrett Stubbs Gobblehead
Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Triple-A PHI), Sept. 7
Erik Kratz famously did a series of turkey bacon commercials in 2013. Now, more than a decade later, we can again make a distinct connection between a cult favorite Phillies backup catcher and turkey. Garrett Stubbs has played for the IronPigs all season, and now they are honoring him with a “gobblehead” that depicts the lovable backstop as some sort of half-man, half-turkey hybrid. Why? Probably because this giveaway item is sponsored by a local turkey farm. That’s reason enough.
Diamonds Aren’t Forever
Richmond Flying Squirrels, Sept. 9-14
The Diamond is a hulking concrete edifice and, in the world of Minor League Baseball, truly the last of its kind. It hosted the Triple-A Richmond Braves through 2008, with the Flying Squirrels taking up residence in 2010. During their season-closing six-game series against Hartford, the Flying Squirrels are giving the outdated but beloved facility a proper sendoff. Highlights include collecting items for a time capsule (Sept. 9), a 1989 Richmond Braves reunion (Sept. 13) and a bobblehead of superfan Ray Edwards (Sept. 14). After that game on the 14th, fans can play catch on the field AND receive a sample of infield dirt. In 2026, the Flying Squirrels will move to new CarMax Park, located in what is now known as The Diamond District.
Flapjacks Morning Game
Reading Fightin Phils (Double-A PHI), Sept. 9
Reading’s Morning Game, marketed toward night shift workers and retirees, is back for its 22nd go-round. For last season’s Morning Game the Fightin Phils played as the Cream Chipped Beef, a local breakfast specialty. This year they’re doing that identity one butter by suiting up as the Flapjacks, with the first 2,000 fans receiving a Flapjacks hat. Arrive early for the pregame stroll around the warning track.
Cluck Norris Biscuit Runner Bobblehead
Montgomery Biscuits (Double-A TB), Sept. 12
Speaking of anthropomorphic breakfast foods — the Biscuits are giving away their third and final Biscuit Runner bobblehead of the season. (A Biscuit Runner is, of course, a running biscuit that competes in an on-field mascot race throughout the season.) Chris P. Bacon and Monty were honored with bobbleheads earlier in the season and now it’s Cluck Norris’ turn in the spotlight. Cluck Norris is a chicken biscuit, but don’t confuse him with Walker, Texas Ranger. He’s a runner.
José Oquendo Bobble-arm
Springfield Cardinals (Double-A STL), Sept. 13
José “Secret Weapon” Oquendo played every position on the diamond over the course of his decade-long stint with the St. Louis Cardinals, and after his playing career he spent many seasons as the team’s third-base coach. Springfield’s Oquendo “bobble-arm” giveaway commemorates this portion of his long career, as his arm is presumably being used to wave Cardinals runners past third base to home. Let it be the secret weapon of your bobblehead collection.
Goo-Goo Dolls Bobblehead
Buffalo Bisons (Triple-A TOR), Sept. 19
Over the course of January and February the Bisons incorporated Goo Goo Dolls song titles into their social media posts, an Easter egg of sorts leading to the reveal that they’ll give away a Goo Goo Dolls bobblehead during their final homestand of the season. The Goo Goo Dolls hail from Buffalo. John Rzeznik and Robby Takac, the group’s founders, are both natives of the city.
