PCL1 Fresno Grizzlies

Grizzlies Win Second Promotion Of The Year Award

Published on November 6, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


FRESNO, CA - For the second time this fall, the Fresno Grizzlies have been awarded "Promotion Of The Year" by a leading industry publication. The 2008 Ballpark Digest Awards honored the club's "Totally Rad 80's Night Featuring Billy Zabka" as the best promotion in Minor League Baseball.

"Totally Rad 80's Night Featuring Billy Zabka", held on May 15th at Chukchansi Park, was a celebration of the 1980's with a celebrity twist. Zabka, best known for his role as Johnny Lawrence in The Karate Kid, was a quintessential 80's movie star and went on to win an Oscar for his writing. He threw out a ceremonial first pitch, took photos and signed autographs for fans, and even participated in 'Zabka on Zabka' trivia, where he won his own DVD copy of The Karate Kid.

The night at Chukchansi Park was comprehensively themed, including not only music, images, and memories from the decade, but some unique Grizzlies additions. Player headshots were swapped on the left-field video board for 80's icons, while the visiting Colorado Springs Sky Sox were transformed into Garbage Pail Kids on the screen. Parker re-created the famous fight scene from the All-Valley Karate Championship and The Drag Kings unveiled a very special performance to Michael Jackson's 'Beat It'.

"We take an immense amount of pride in making sure our fans are engaged and entertained from the moment they enter Chukchansi Park, until the time they leave," said Grizzlies Senior Vice President of Marketing Scott Carter. "Our creative staff deserves a lot of credit for conceptualizing and fully executing 'Totally Rad 80's Night Featuring Billy Zabka', one of the prominent highlights of an outstanding 2008 season in Fresno."

The recognition is the second time since the conclusion of the 2008 season that the Grizzlies have been awarded Promotion of the Year. In early October, MILB.com honored the organization's Mascot Showdown, pitting hometown favorite Parker against the legendary Phillie Phanatic, as the best promotion in the country. The 2008 Ballpark Digest Promotion of the Year was shared with the St. Paul Saints' Bobblefoot giveaway.

Over the last several years Ballpark Digest has evolved into a daily chronicle of the culture and business of baseball, as well as being the premier source for ballpark reviews across the nation. In addition to winning "Best Marketing Campaign" and "Promotion of the Year", the Grizzlies were finalists for "Best New Hat" and "Best Television Spot" in this year's awards.

The Fresno Grizzlies open the 2009 season on Thusday, April 9th at Chukchansi Park when they welcome the Portland Beavers to downtown Fresno. For information regarding season ticket packages, mini-plans, and the Grizzlies original, digital short series "I Hate The OffSeason", visit FresnoGrizzlies.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from November 6, 2008


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