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On the road: Superfans with sweet presence

St. Lucie's Fishbeins turn players to candy instead of tobacco
@BensBiz
April 29, 2015

At the St. Lucie Mets home of Tradition Field, a pair of familiar faces can almost always be found sitting in front-row seats along the first-base side. They wear matching St. Lucie Mets and hats and jerseys, along with rectangular gold-colored nametags identifying them as "Gayle" and "Jack," respectively.

That would

The Omaha Storm Chasers' 'Take Meow-t' cat night included a Litter Box Sundae

@BensBiz
May 23, 2025

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

It blew up: Eugene embraces Exploding Whales 

A deep dive into an identity with Oregon roots and global appeal
June 7, 2023

EUGENE, ORE – On March 23, when the Eugene Emeralds announced their Exploding Whales alternate identity, they figured it would create some regional buzz. Those expectations were immediately blown out of the water.

The Emeralds, High-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, sold out their first batch of Exploding Whales merchandise

New ballparks highlight 2025 MiLB road trip stops

@BensBiz
April 25, 2025

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

Space Potatoes? Hooch Pooches? Check out these new alternate identities

@BensBiz
February 28, 2025

Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter

They're due! MiLB's longest active title droughts

@BensBiz
January 31, 2025

Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.

Start your wagons: Hickory unveils the Goat-Karts 

@BensBiz
October 22, 2024

During last month’s MiLB Awards Show on the MLB Network, the Jersey Diners won the “Best Alternate Identity” award. This alter-ego of the Somerset Patriots triumphed over the Great Lakes Pontooners, Spokane King Carl, Biloxi King Cakes, Wichita Chili Buns, Chattanooga Wreckers and Winston-Salem Hype Hens.

Now it’s time

Ben's Biz spends an evening with the Dash

Winston-Salem all about grandeur, good times and ... punctuation?!
@BensBiz
September 27, 2024

This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE.

*The following ballpark road trip recap is presented by Wyndham, proud sponsor of <a

This Appy League team has fans in stitches

Burlington Sock Puppets are putting on a show and it's a hit
@BensBiz
September 20, 2024

This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE.

*The following ballpark road trip recap is presented by Wyndham, proud sponsor of <a

Never seen a baseball game in Danville, VA? You otter

Ben's Biz spends an evening with the Danville Otterbots
@BensBiz
September 13, 2024

This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE.

*The following ballpark road trip recap is presented by Wyndham, proud sponsor of <a

How the Durham Designated Eater drama of ‘24 went down

A tale of betrayal, pain, miscommunication and a good hamburger
@BensBiz
September 6, 2024

This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE.

My 2024 ballpark travels (and travails) are over, but today I return to Durham

The best Minor League ballpark promotions happening in September

@BensBiz
August 30, 2024

Welcome to Promo Preview, a monthly roundup of Minor League Baseball promotions to look forward to. The season ends in September (dates vary, depending on the level of play), so don’t delay. Get out to the ballpark today and take advantage of theme nights and giveaways such as these:

Ben's Biz: An iconic evening with the Bulls

Ben explores the renowned Durham Bulls Athletic Park
@BensBiz
August 16, 2024

This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE.

The following ballpark road trip recap is presented by Wyndham, proud sponsor of <a

Ben says farewell DEWD to Grainger Stadium

Rangers' Single-A affiliate moving to Spartanburg, S.C. in 2025
@BensBiz
August 9, 2024

This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE.

The following ballpark road trip recap is presented by Wyndham, proud sponsor of <a

Ben's Biz: An evening with Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Taking in the sights and enjoying the views from Arvest Ballpark
@BensBiz
July 26, 2024

This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE.

The following ballpark road trip recap is presented by Wyndham, proud sponsor of <a

Weber is Mud Hens' man behind the mic

In his 44th season, Toledo native is an Ohio broadcasting icon
August 5, 2024

Triple-A Toledo announced the passing of Jim Weber -- the "Voice of the Mud Hens" for 49 years -- on Aug. 2, 2024. Over a period from April 12, 1975-Aug. 1, 2024, Weber called 6,935 consecutive Mud Hens games.

This article was originally published on June 21, 2018.

The weirdest MiLB stats, plays from June

The bizarre and bombastic happenings from around the Minors
@BensBiz
July 11, 2024

*Welcome to Crooked Numbers, a monthly column dedicated to Minor League Baseball on-field oddities and absurdities. The June edition features a doubles deluge, oppositional surnames, way too many walks and, of course, much more. Keeping track of this type of thing is a team effort, so get in touch if

Anything's possum-ble: Ben visits the Travelers

Exploring all Dickey-Stephens Park, a blast from the past and more
@BensBiz
July 19, 2024

This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE.

The following ballpark road trip recap is presented by Wyndham, proud sponsor of <a

Ben's Biz: Dancing like a chicken in Memphis

Ben watches the Chicks at AutoZone Park with the Redbirds
@BensBiz
July 12, 2024

This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE.

The following ballpark road trip recap is presented by Wyndham, proud sponsor of <a

Ben's Biz: An evening with the Trash Pandas

A propulsive experience from start to finish in Rocket City
@BensBiz
July 6, 2024

This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE.

The following ballpark road trip recap is presented by Wyndham, proud sponsor of <a

The Fourth of July is poppin' off at the ballpark

Here's one Independence Day celebration from every farm system
@BensBiz and @JoshJacksonMiLB
June 25, 2024

Have you made plans for the Fourth yet? If not, we're here to help. If so, change 'em! There's no better way to celebrate America's Independence Day than taking in a baseball game amid your compatriots.

Road trip: All roads lead Ben to Rome

Friends, Romans, Penguins -- an evening with the Emperors
@BensBiz
June 28, 2024

This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE.

The following ballpark road trip recap is presented by Wyndham, proud sponsor of <a

Ben's Biz: Stalwart Stockton supporters

A conversation with Stockton Ballpark mainstays Pat and Will
@BensBiz
June 14, 2024

This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE.

Every ballpark has its regulars, and these regulars all have a story. Who are

Quartet of alternate identities joins MiLB landscape

Dodgers, White Sox and Phillies affiliates unveil their new looks
@BensBiz
June 7, 2024

This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE.

Wednesday, May 29, turned out to be an unexpectedly above-average day for fans of

On the Road: Making history in Daytona

Tortugas' Jackie Robinson Ballpark pays tribute to 1946 season
September 20, 2018

"There's no ballpark like this. This is where history was made."

That's how historian Bill Schumann describes Jackie Robinson Ballpark, home of the Florida State League's Daytona Tortugas (Class A Advanced affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds).

The facility, which has gone through extensive renovations over decades, opened in 1914 as City Island