A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

trenton thunder

Social media blunders: Why open the gates so late?

Social media in 2019 is a powerful tool. 

It can be a lot of fun, it can sometimes be mean, and it can be somewhere in between. It’s also a place for a lot of information, which is great. But, if you are putting out information and something seems a bit off or fishy, then somebody likely will be there to call it out.

That seems especially true on Twitter.

For those who don’t follow minor league baseball teams, there are a lot of teams who embrace social media (especially Twitter) and really have a lot of fun with it. And, at the same time, if they post something not fully right, they will usually man up and take the blame and try and have fun with it. 

Not so, recently, in the case of the Trenton Thunder, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. 

Now, before I get into the whole situation, let me be clear on one thing – I have no issue in what they did in regard to gates and such. It is their right, and they had reasons. But, the fact that they gave false information, then basically doubled-down on it before giving away their true reason (without admitting the first was false) is where this goes wrong. 

Look, I understand what Minor League Baseball is all about. And I love it. But I don’t like when teams swerve fans, especially when there are facts to back up the fan side of things. 

Trenton is one team that usually has a pretty good grasp on things. I even blogged about it in 2016 (https://hoohaa.com/?p=10103). This time, not so much. 

With that in mind, here’s the story. 

It started with a simple Tweet on July 22 – talking about the game that night being postponed. The kicker is that it was a scheduled bobblehead day. For those not into minor league baseball – bobblehead nights are usually massive draws and most of the time only with a limited amount to give away (usually anywhere from 500-2,000). When some stadiums seat upward of 8,000-10,000 people, it’s often necessary to get in line an hour or two early to have a chance. 

So, Trenton postponed this game. And then posted these two tweets:

And …

Harmless, right? People seemed OK with it, but something stood out.

The gates for season-ticket holders would open at 5:30 p.m. – the same time as the first pitch was scheduled. And if you weren’t a season-ticket holder, then you were stuck waiting for the gates to open at 6 p.m. – 30 minutes after first pitch.

People picked up on this. Check out some of the responses, as well as the replies from the team (these are from each of the original tweets, not just one of them):

I mean, really?

I’ve probably been to a dozen or more Eastern League doubleheaders – single-admission and starting earlier than “normal” and been allowed in at least 30 minutes before the first pitch. This got me really wondering. So I had to ask.

And while asking, I got a more truthful answer.

I responded to that with this, which didn’t receive a reply.

On the other thread, they were questioned, too:

This received the “real” answer as well, along with a funny response from their opponents – Akron.

In searching other social media for this situation, Trenton held the line with the Eastern League rule, but when called out, the team again noted the bobblehead deal.

Those responding didn’t seem thrilled with this. And one idea came out that made sense (and I had wondered why they didn’t do this initially, either) — why not have a different entrance for those wanting to just get into the game and not worry about a bobblehead?

So, let me share some of the Facebook goodness, too.

You have to give the team credit for sticking to their stance — but the rule. This is what really got to me. They said it was a league rule, but haven’t shown anything about it. And, in the end, if you were doing this for the bobblehead (which, to be honest, makes no sense why not to open early… if people want the bobble, they’ll be there. Reality is… the night you were washed out was the bobble night — so all bets are off after that. I guarantee you’d still give away 1,500 bobbles), then say so from the beginning without throwing your league and some “rule” out there.

Especially when not everybody cares about the bobblehead. This, from the night of the doubleheader:

But, being the former newspaper person I am, I was really curious. Could this possibly be a true rule?

I think we all know the answer, but I needed to at least try and find out. So, I tweeted at the Eastern League.

Shockingly enough, I never received a response. I’m guessing it isn’t a rule.

And then …

I’d like to point out that I went to a Binghamton Rumble Ponies doubleheader on July 31. First pitch was scheduled for 5:35 p.m. Sound familiar?

Note when the gates open.

Apparently if it was an Eastern League rule… Binghamton didn’t get the memo. Or maybe it was just for a week or so. And why would I think that?

Well, on August 1, Trenton was again scheduled for a single-admission doubleheader. Note the start time. And note the gate time.

Fireworks and drink special night, but doesn’t appear to be a bobblehead night. Maybe that’s the rule they were referring to … or maybe …

Here’s the kicker to this doubleheader — in the opener, Trenton had a no-hitter. Only the sixth in franchise history — yet the second this season. In the minors, doubleheaders are seven-inning games. That no-hitter took 1 hour, 27 minutes to complete.

Let that sink in for a second — 1 hour, 27 minutes. The Trenton’s Brian Keller needed just 70 pitches for this dandy. IF, this had been a bobblehead day. And IF they had pulled the same bull about when the gates open. And IF you are were toward the back of the line because you got there a little later, there’s a chance you aren’t in the stadium and to your seat until about an hour into the game, give or take.

IF that had happened, the Trenton Thunder would have robbed fans of watching a dandy of a game, seeing history, and seeing something that not everybody gets to see on a regular basis in it entirety. And if you had stopped off to grab a hot dog or something, who knows how much you would have seen.

IF that had been me in that situation, I would have flipped. I love bobbleheads. And I have a lot of them. And I like giveaways like anybody else. But when I go to a baseball game, it’s for the game first — everything else second. Maybe Trenton will realize moving forward that many others think this way as well and not rob a possible amazing experience for a rescheduled giveaway item.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

Harrisburg, Trenton show why MiLB can be so much fun

For the past two years, I’ve embarked on a Summer of Baseball.

Most of the games I’ve attended are minor leagues. Taking away the obvious reasons — cheaper, closer and, often, way more fun — I enjoy minor league games more than major league.

Sure, it’s fun to see the majors and such. But the minor leagues gives you the chance to see so many different things.

And many minor league organizations “get it,” too. By that I mean they understand players come and go, but the franchise is what it’s all about in the community.

Also, teams will often jab each other in a bit of fun.

Such as how it was with the Harrisburg Senators and Trenton Thunder on Wednesday.

Before I let the tweets speak for themselves, I need to say that this made me laugh and I give kudos to both teams for having this exchange. This is the type of thing that splits the minors from the majors and makes the minors so much better.

Here’s the exchange from the other day. Enjoy!

Minor leagues… all the more fun. Well done Harrisburg and Trenton!

I’m so ready for baseball!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please Like HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Summer of Baseball: Trenton provides some thunder

If you are a fan of minor league baseball, I’m sure you’ll see what I did with the headline.

If not, read on.

This stop on the 2015 Summer of Baseball Tour took us to Arm & Hammer Park, home of the Trenton Thunder, the AA affiliate of the New York Yankees.

All ready!

All ready!

This is one of those parks I’ve heard a lot about and have wanted to visit, so it was nice to be able to get to a game. Even better was this completed a weekend with back-to-back games in Lakewood and Trenton.

First, it’s not a hard place to find and the area seems nice. It’s right next to the Delaware River, so if you are there before a game, you can wander down to the water and take in a relaxing moment or two.

Once in, the stadium is a nice spot for a game and it’s definitely a baseball atmosphere, which is nice.

First, the concessions are quality. There are a lot of solid choices, which is good. Besides the normal, there are a couple of good selections for one to grab. The hot dogs are quality, which is an important aspect for me.

Seating is solid at this stadium and the sight lines are great. You are close to the action and feel like the game is definitely the focal point. Everybody wasn’t up and down the whole game, which I appreciated. It seemed like the Thunder crowd is a baseball crowd. That’s always a good thing.

You can see me on the big screen!

You can see me on the big screen!

The stadium isn’t a full wrap concourse, but that was OK as there was enough room for the more than 5,000 people here this night.

We also got on the big screen, so that was cool.

The fans were into the game (it was a close game, too, so that made it fun) and made the atmosphere solid.

The team store is also pretty solid. It’s a tad small in regard to space, but there’s a decent amount of things to grab.

In the end, I’m glad I finally had the chance to get to see a game in Trenton.  It’s a nice stadium. There is plenty of parking available and it’s easy to get into and out of before and after games. Prices were average.

If you are looking for a baseball experience and are close to Trenton, it’s well worth going there to watch a game.

Park Notes:  

Arm & Hammer Park
Trenton, NJ
Home of the Trenton Thunder (Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees)
Visited on: July 11, 2015
Opponent: Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants)

Ratings (out of 10)

  • Stadium: 8/10
  • Concessions: 8/10
  • Parking: 8/10
  • Ambiance: 8.5/10
  • Friendliness: 9.5/10

I am continuing the Summer of Baseball from 2014 and hope to blog about each new stadium I visit in 2015. Ones visited in the past can be viewed linked up in the 2014 version.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!