EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

Reading Nominated for Larry MacPhail Promotional Award

Published on October 1, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


(Reading, Pa.)---The Reading Phillies, Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, have been selected by the Eastern League as the 2012 nominee for the Larry MacPhail Promotional Award, which is presented to a club in Minor League Baseball that has demonstrated outstanding and creative marketing and promotional efforts. It is the second straight season the R-Phils have been nominated by the Eastern League for the Larry MacPhail Award.

The winner of the award is selected by Minor League Baseball and honored at the 2012 Baseball Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tennessee.

Leading the Eastern League with an average attendance of 6,368 fans, the R-Phils also ranked second in the Eastern League with a total attendance of 426,623, making it the record-breaking 15th straight season Reading has drawn at least 400,000 through the gates at FirstEnergy Stadium.

On top of the 426,623 fans, the Reading Phillies entertained a Double-A all-star game record 18,532 fans over the two-day 2012 Baseballtown All-Star Classic on July 10th and July 11th. Along with 67 gate openings, all-star events and the 222 Showcase exhibition, 454,018 fans passed through the turnstiles at America's Classic Ballpark.

The 2012 season was full of unique promotions highlighted by the Baseballtown All-Star Home Run Derby on July 10th. During the one-of-a-kind hitting challenge, players attempted to hit select targets scattered around the confines of FirstEnergy Stadium in order to score the most points. While the hitting challenge was going on, an exclusive infield VIP party took place directly on the infield. The VIP guests were protected by a net as they partied away throughout the event.

As part of the evening's festivities, each Eastern League all-star was paired with a United Way of Berks County partner agency during the competition. Prior to the game, players signed autographs at tables in VIST Financial Plaza in hopes of raising awareness for their respective agency. Each agency also had the opportunity to sell tickets for the event to raise money for their organization. Also, the jerseys the players wore during the event were auctioned and raffled with all proceeds being donated to the United Way. All in all, nearly $30,000 was raised for the United Way of Berks County and its partner agencies.

The season also featured a rebranding of Baseballtown Charities, a 501 (c)(3) entity that was launched in 2002 in association with the Reading Phillies to keep baseball alive in Reading through charitable donations to underprivileged youth who otherwise would not have the opportunity to play baseball. A contest was held to name the Baseballtown Hot Dog Guy character. Over 1,600 entries were received before the citizens of Baseballtown chose 11-year old Taylor Reed's submission of "Bunbino" for the character. Baseballtown's new image was displayed prominently throughout the ballpark in addition to being part of the Baseballtown All-Star Classic jersey design.

The storied history of Reading baseball was the basis of the Baseballtown History Walk located in the concourse of FirstEnergy Stadium .The new addition to the ballpark begins with the beginnings of the former Reading Municipal Memorial Stadium (now FirstEnergy Stadium) through the Reading Indians and Reading Red Sox era. Gathering news articles, photos, and other artifacts was done so through the scrap book donations, photo negatives, and old Reading game programs.

Other highlights of the Reading promotional season included a Vance Worley "Vanimal" Garden Gnome, a Carlos Ruiz "Chooching" Train, and a Harry Kalas Talking Bobblehead. The season also featured a series of Crazy Hot Dog Vendor giveaways including a Ryan Howard and Crazy Hot Dog Vendor Double Bobblehead, a Crazy Hot Dog Vendor Tooth Brush Holder, and a Crazy Hot Dog Vendor Soap Dispenser.

The Crazy Hot Dog Vendor was also selected by Mast Farms, a local farm located 20 minutes from Reading, as its design for its 2012 corn maze.

With the opening of VIST Financial Plaza in 2011, there has been an increased slate of extra events held on days when the team is not in town. Over 20,000 people came out for a wide variety of events that were held throughout the offseason and regular season including various concerts by regional artists, a motocross jump held by local action sports star Jake Goodyear, and professional wrestling shows. A majority of the events also benefitted local charities like the Reading Musical Foundation, Humane Society of Berks County, and Autism Society of Berks County.

The Reading Phillies and Philadelphia Phillies continue their 47-year affiliation, the longest in minor league baseball, at FirstEnergy Stadium when the team opens up its season on April 12th against the Erie SeaWolves. Season ticket and mini-plans for the 2013 season can be purchased online at RPhils.com, by phone at 610-370-BALL, and in-person by visiting the R-Phils Ticket Office at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Check out the Reading Fightin Phils Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from October 1, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central