Renegades Receive 2008 Veeckies Award For Top Promotion
September 11, 2008 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Hudson Valley Renegades News Release
FISHKILL, NY (September 11, 2008) - Every season hundreds of minor league ball clubs attempt to come up with the wackiest, craziest and most bizarre promotion they can think of in hopes of leaving a lasting impression on their fans. This year the Renegades did just that with "Born in the USA" night. "Born in the USA" night received the 2008 Veeckies Award as the top promotion in Minor League Baseball, courtesy of ESPN the Magazine.
On July 1st Pedro Risso, a native of Portugal, competed against three American citizens for the chance to have the Renegades fund the cost of his naturalization.
Risso competed in five on field games; an apple pie eating contest, the Boston-three party (a tribute to the Boston Tea Party), the British are coming (a twist on Paul Revere's ride), a corn chucking contest and a quiz with questions from the U.S. citizenship test.
Risso needed to score 13 total points throughout the contests, earning three points for a first-place finish and two points for a second-place finish. He competed against three American citizens and despite his unbelievable effort came up three points short.
Risso may not have won the contest, but he succeeded in winning the hearts of the fans. Following the conclusion of the competition Risso was granted Ambassador Status at Dutchess Stadium until he returns during the 2009 season and battles towards the same cause.
Plans are already underway for the 2009 competition, which will pit four non-U.S citizens against each other for a U.S. citizenship. Risso has been invited back for next year's competition which is designed to start one of the competitors on their way to becoming a U.S. citizen.
"This is truly an honor to receive the 2008 Veeckies top award as best promotion of the year," said General Manager Eben Yager. "Being recognized on a national level raises the bar for next season, so make sure to check us out in 2009. I'm feeling a repeat."
About the Veeckies:
The Veeckies are named after late promotions-genius Bill Veeck. Veeck was known for many promotional innovations including sending the 3'7" Eddie Gaedel to the plate with the St. Louis Browns, orchestrating "Grandstand Day" where fans decided the managerial decisions and installing the first ever exploding scoreboard.
Last season the St. Paul Saints, of the American Association, won the Veeckies top honor with "Being Jason Giambi" Night where fans had the choice of being "probed" by George Mitchell or being "suspener'd" by Bud Selig. The St. Paul Saints are owned by the same ownership group as the Renegades, The Goldklang Group.
New York-Penn League Stories from September 11, 2008
- Renegades Receive 2008 Veeckies Award For Top Promotion - Hudson Valley Renegades
- Muckdogs To Play Jamestown In New York-Penn League Championship Series - Batavia Muckdogs
- Jamestown in NY-Penn Finals - Jamestown Jammers
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