Ben Hill
@bensbiz
Minor League Baseball senior writer for MLB. Exploring America one ballpark at a time, covering everything but the game itself. People often tell me I should write a book. Instead I joined another social media platform.
Tonight's Clearwater Threshers Andrew Painter bobblehead takes his last name literally.
Akron RubberDucks suiting up as the Cream Stick Donuts tonight and tomorrow, because that's what rectangular donuts are known as in Northeast Ohio.
The Binghamton Rumble Ponies are playing as the Creatures this weekend. It's a tribute to Binghamton native Rod Serling. Logos reference the 1961 Twilight Zone episode "Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?"
Carlos Santana and Andrew McCutchen, the two oldest position players to appear in the Major Leagues this season, are now teammates on the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers. Oh, and Acuña leading off. What a line-up.
RIP Sister Ros, baseball's first and only massaging nun. She was a St. Paul Saints legend, and the story of how that came to be is as unique as she was. atmlb.com/4vG30n9
Last year Jon Oliver created the Erie Seawolves' Moon Mammoths alternate identity. It's only natural that, this year, the SeaWolves would give away a Jon Oliver bobblehead.
Wisconsin is the "frozen pizza capital of the world" so the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are playing as the Frozen Pizzas tonight and giving away a Pizza Slice bobblehead.
Baseball's only between-inning theatrical production returns tonight "Renegades: The Musical" will be performed atop the dugout during the inning breaks of tonight's Hudson Valley Renegades game.
Riding high in April, shot down in May, back on top in June, bobblehead in July. Tonight's Brooklyn Cyclones giveaway:
The Iowa Cubs 18th annual Citizenship Ceremony is tonight. The team will welcome 29 new citizens from 16 countries. One of the best traditions in all of Minor League Baseball.
Biggest sports news of the weekend: The Mississippi Mud Monsters, members of the independent Frontier League, wore shorts. It was "Swamp Ass Saturday," and the shorts were auctioned off after the game "right off the player's behind."
This season the Cedar Rapids Kernels are celebrating the life of Ron "Roady" Plein, a legendary clubhouse manager who literally lived at the ballpark. My story on "the greatest Kernel ever": atmlb.com/4xm8x4l
Fan of hyper-specific MiLB giveaway items? For yesterday's "Marc in the Park" promo, honoring people named Marc/Mark, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp gave away t-shirts featuring a drawing of front office member Marc Spera standing on the spot of the field where he broke his ankle during a tarp pull
14 years ago at a Tulsa Drillers game, participating in a between-inning contest called "Nervous Nelly" in which pedometers were strapped to each contestant's head and wrists. Whoever recorded the most movement, won. I lost to a guy named Sergio, 305-300.
Congrats to Christopher and Zachary, who got married on the field between innings of June 4's Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Pride Night game.
The Harrisburg Senators are staging an "I Love My Dentist" promo tonight so naturally the giveaway is a Robert Hassell III toothbrush holder.
New alternate identity for the Augusta GreenJackets, saluting James Brown and their region's musical legacy.
The Springfield Cardinals announced their new Ozarks Snipe Hunters identity. A tribute to an enduring practical joke.
Hey, here are some of the best Minor League promos taking place in June. Get ready for Lamb of God "shredding" the anthem, sweat-soaked jerseys, the first-ever Marc in the Park Night and much more: atmlb.com/4fiLRv7
The Iowa Cubs are giving this away tonight. They note that it is "hot dog scented" and also "not a consumable product." We'll see about that.
Hey, it's Crooked Numbers! A monthly compendium of Minor League Baseball's weirdest on-field moments. If you see something weird (in a Minor League game), say something (to me). Hopefully I can include it in a future column. atmlb.com/4uFhiEm
The Springfield Cardinals' ballpark is now known as Route 66 Stadium. A unique naming rights deal involving multiple partners that celebrates a shared community asset. I hope it inspires other teams to think along these lines, shifting away from uninspiring corporate names. MORE: atmlb.com/42UuA3V
Hey I’m hitting the road next week. Louisville Bats, Asheville Tourists, Chattanooga Lookouts Details (and Designated Eater opportunity) below.
RIP Ted Turner, who renamed pitcher Andy Messersmith as a way to promote his TV station. Legendary move.
Happy May the 4th. Shoutout to that time in 2010 that the Oklahoma City RedHawks (now the Comets) welcomed Peter "Chewbacca" Mayhew to the ballpark.
Scenes from Old Joliet Prison, site of today’s game between the Joliet Slammers and Gateway Grizzlies
This year's Rickwood Classic takes place on May 27 in Birmingham. The Birmingham Barons will play as the Birmingham Black Barons. Willie Mays played for the Black Barons in 1948 at the age of 17.