Taste of the Majors comes to Bricktown ballpark
A taste of the majors comes to Bricktown
by Ted Streuli
The Journal Record April 2, 2009
OKLAHOMA CITY – No need to go to Beantown for a Fenway Frank. No reason to fight the freeway for a Dodger Dog. A taste of the major leagues is coming to The Brick.
The Oklahoma City RedHawks will launch a marketing campaign Thursday that will remind potential ticket buyers just how close they are to major league baseball.“Every year we look at what we can do that’s a little different,” said RedHawks Executive Director John Allgood. “This year we started thinking about our connection to classic baseball.”
A fan survey showed Oklahoma City baseball fans root for a variety of major league teams, most notably the Yankees, Cardinals, Cubs and Dodgers. The Texas Rangers, the RedHawks’ major league affiliate and geographically the nearest major league team, ranked fifth.
“There are a lot of fans here who enjoy the tradition of baseball,” Allgood said.
That led the RedHawks staff to the idea of bringing a taste of the big leagues to the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. Each homestand will feature the food and feel of one of the nation’s classic baseball venues, right down to some former big league stars.
“Part of the allure is, quite literally, the taste of the big leagues,” said the RedHawks’ new director of brand development, Kevin McMillan. “It speaks to the heart and soul of the baseball fan.”
The ballpark’s food service contractor, Centerplate, cooperated on the food, which will be so authentic some ingredients will be imported from their native cities. Each theme will extend beyond the food to an overall feel at the ballpark. During the first homestand, Yankee fans will appreciate the large bat at the main gate modeled after the iconic smokestack at Yankee Stadium. Fans will find other New York touches, too, including subway stops, street performers and Yankee field logos to go with the Nathan’s hot dogs, baked ziti and Italian meatball subs at the concession stands.
Former major leaguers Bill Buckner, Steve Garvey, Andre Dawson and other players to be named later will make appearances during the homestands that tie to their teams.
The RedHawks will be donning new uniforms and sporting a new logo this year.
All that will help sell tickets and entice more ticket holders to come to games, Allgood said. In the RedHawks’ 11 years in Oklahoma City, season ticket sales have remained steady, but Allgood said the club has a lot of fans who attend three games or fewer. And like most sports franchises, only about 60 percent of ticket holders attend each game, which hurts per capita revenue.
In 2009, the RedHawks will market a lot more than peanuts and Cracker Jack.
“The philosophy is that you’re not just coming to a baseball game,” Allgood said. “You’re coming to a magical place.”
The lineup
New York – Yankee Stadium
April 17-24 and July 4-12
Nathan’s Hot Dogs, Baked ziti, Italian meatball subs
Chicago – Wrigley Field
April 30-May 7 and July 24-27
Old Style beer, Chicago dogs, Mother-in-Law sandwiches
Philadelphia – Citizens Bank Ballpark
May 12-18
Authentic Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, The Schmitter, crab fries
St. Louis – Busch Stadium
May 29–June 5
Toasted ravioli, garlic-parmesan fries, Cajun seasoned fries, bratzels
Los Angeles – Dodger Stadium
June 15-26
Dodger Dogs, gourmet pretzels, garlic fries
Boston – Fenway Park
Fenway Franks, lobster rolls, Italian sausages
Best of the Best
Aug. 31–Sept. 3
Milwaukee brats, Cincinnati chili cheese Coney dogs, Seattle Sea Dogs, Dodger Dogs
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Originally Posted by NativeOkie
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