Bark at the Park

With both the Phillies and the Yankees on the West Coast last week, my nightly baseball "fix" came via a telecast of the Reading Phillies versus the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

Flying Squirrels? What has become of our proud tradition of macho minor league team nicknames? "Go out there and be Lions, Tigers, or Bears (Oh my!)" is now "Soar like a flying rodent!" "Beware! Those big, bad Flying Squirrels are coming to town" doesn't present a fearful image.

Of course, cutesy team nicknames are all part of minor league marketing nowadays. Kids clamor for Iron Pig snouts here in the Lehigh Valley. Toledo Mud Hen gear is, no doubt, a real conversation starter among sports aficionados.

Perusing the internet for amusing minor league baseball team names, I found what may be the ultimate promotion. The Trenton Thunder (good name, that) celebrates its fourth annual Bark at the Park Night this year. Patrons bring their pooches to the ballpark which features a concourse packed with pet vendor exhibits, doggie games, and lots and lots of treats. The highlight occurs when one lucky dog competes in a canine cash scramble. If the bow-wow can choose one lucky tennis ball amidst the hundred scattered across the infield, it will win a $10,000 prize. That will buy a lot of kibble!

The pooches (and their owners) are restricted to a certain section of seating which must please the clean-up crew. Presumably, the area is well-equipped with shoe-cleaning devices. One cannot have a trail of doggie-doo being deposited as humans make their way to the rest rooms.

The Trenton Thunder's symbol is, in fact, a golden retriever, so "Bark at the Park" really works for them. The Richmond club might have a problem if they decide on a similar promotion. Opening their ballyard to flying squirrels and their owners might cause a massive freak-out during the 7th inning stretch when the rodents take flight in search of prizes. "E-e-ek! There's a bat or something caught in my hair! Let's get out of here."