Lansing Lugnuts Up For A Prestigious Award
Who doesn't love all of the special nights and great promotions that happen every season with our Lansing Lugnuts?
At this very moment while I'm writing this article, I'm wearing my "517" baseball cap from this year's "Crosstown Showdown" between the Lugnuts and the Michigan State Spartans. Oh yeah, and when I look to my left, standing there proudly on my desk is my Burt Reynolds bobblehead from his tribute night.
You see, the Lugnuts are so good at promotions that they have been named the nominee in the Midwest League for the Larry MacPhail Promotional Award, which is the biggest promotional honor in Minor League Baseball.
Here's more from the Lugnuts press release:
“It was a memorable season,” said Lugnuts general manager Tyler Parsons. “We dropped candy-filled eggs from a helicopter, went Loco, saluted Burt Reynolds, dressed like Ninja Turtles, held a Purge Night, and toasted dogs with White Claws We’re proud that our efforts were recognized by our Midwest League colleagues.”
The MacPhail Award, named for the Hall of Fame executive who brought batting helmets and night baseball to the Major Leagues, honors the top Minor League Baseball team each season at producing “outstanding and creative marketing and promotional efforts within its community, its ballpark (including non-game day events), in media and other promotional materials.”
A small sampling of what the Lugnuts’ marketing department presented in 2019:
* A franchise rebrand to Lansing Locos as part of Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversion outreach campaign, with the four Locos home games averaging over 5,500 fans per game and the Locos shirts selling out from the Nuts & Bolts shop.
* The two largest crowds of the year for the Midwest League, drawing 10,824 on Harry Potter Night, August 24th, and 9,798 on the 4th of July.
* Nine special giveaways, including a Burt Reynolds bobblehead on Tribute to Burt Reynolds Night, a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. jersey giveaway, and a Glass Boot on Craft Beer Night.
* A GM Field Makeover, partnering our grounds crew with community volunteers to rework Benjamin Davis T-Ball Field, and Ambush Baseball presented by LAFCU, bringing the Tigers and Knights Little League teams to play a game at Cooley Law School Stadium.
The Lugnuts will find out if they win at December’s Baseball Winter Meetings. Good luck to our friends at the home team and Go Nuts!