Tag Archives: mascots

Feeling Ducky

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Feeling Ducky

Hello!! In good ol’ Akron, Ohio we have a minor league baseball team called the Rubberducks. They play at Canal Park which is a mere ten minutes from my apartment, but I have never been to a game! That changed in April because Johnny’s work generously gives free tickets to the Rubberducks games all season long. Johnny snagged us some tickets and we went to a game with our best friend, Cliff, and my big brother, Andrew, and had the absolute best time. It was freaking freezing during the game, but we enjoyed every minute of the ridiculousness that is minor league baseball: The spectacle, the mascots, the contests, and the cheering at anything and everything like crazy!

This past weekend, my crew and I ended up at another Rubberducks game with a twist. They were no longer the Rubberducks but the Galley Boys. What is a Galley Boy, you might ask? If you’re not from Northeast Ohio, you’re not going to know lol but it is a hamburger from a local staple called Swenson’s. Everyone in my neck of the woods has been to Swenson’s and the Ducks rebrand their name with the drive-in’s signature meal once a year. As my husband is most fond of a Galley Boy, he had to get tickets to the Galley Boys versus the Senators and we all couldn’t wait to go to Canal Park for some fun.

Just like the last game we attended, it was a total blast but this time was even better because we weren’t freezing our nads off lol. To be back at the ball park with my boys was such a treat and we picked up right where we left off the last time: Noshing on stadium food, sipping on sodas, and being super fans. We were hooting and hollering, stomping and clapping, and cheered our Galley Boys on to a victory. The park was packed and to be in the mix of all of the excitement was intoxicating.

If there is a minor league baseball team in your general vicinity, I truly can’t recommend going to a game this summer enough. Even if you don’t like baseball, there is literally no way that you aren’t going to have a good time. If your team is anything like ours, you are in for hilarious sponsorships, mascots that don’t make a lot of sense, crowd pleasing entertainment, and the joy of being out on a summer evening. Johnny, Andrew, Cliff, and I are going to try to go to as many Rubberducks games as our schedules will allow and I am already on pins and needles for the next game we attend. 😀

Our Rubberducks have dominated in both games we have been to and I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed for a threepeat the next time. My crew’s official slogan is DUCK THEM UP and the Ducks haven’t disappointed us yet. Let’s go!!!

Do you have a minor league baseball team near you? What are they all about? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

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Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Howdy!! I had a big day when I went to see Peter Pan at Playhouse Square. Very shortly after I arrived home from the show, it was time to go on the move again for an evening at Canal Park in Akron. My brother, Johnny, our bestie Cliff, and I all went to see our minor league baseball team, the Akron Rubberducks play against the Altoona Curve. Johnny’s work generously offers free tickets to their employees and we were all so excited to attend a game together. I had no idea what to expect because the last time I went to a game was almost a decade ago. And, let me tell you, all of our expectations were exceeded a million times over because we plan on going to as many games as we can this spring and summer!

Going to a minor league baseball game was truly the most fun I have had in ages. Not for the baseball itself but for the pure spectacle that unfolded before us. At least once per inning between the Ducks and the Curve, some type of audience interaction event was peppered in. The Ducks mascots: Astro, Webster, Rubberta, and Homer would amble through the crowd or run around the field. Children were brought onto the field to tip people dressed in inflatable cow costumes. There was an inflatable pony race and the list goes on. Not to mention the fact that a signature catchphrase was repeated frequently to everyone’s delight: “That’s a Luigi’s foul ball!!” One of the most popular restaurants in our neck of the woods, Luigi’s, has been affiliated with the Rubberducks for forever and their namesake is on the loudspeaker Every. Single. Foul. Ball. It’s hilarious!

As we watched the game, we were literally on the edges of our seats for what would happen next. Was the umpire going to scream at the coaches again? Would someone on the Curve get struck out with the prize being five dollar beers for the crowd? Would the children behind us continue to chant “five dollar beers” all night? This was a fantastical mystery of an experience and I wanted to know everything – Including why in the H-E-double hockey sticks it took us this long to go to a game together? Had I known a Rubberducks game was this ridiculous, we would have been season ticket holders. You live and you learn and I can’t wait for the next game. 😀

This Akron Rubberducks game opened my eyes to all of the fun we can have essentially in our own backyard and all I have to say is: Duck em’ up!!

Does your city have a minor league baseball team? What is your favorite baseball team? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah