Columbus Clippers

The Columbus Clippers are the AAA affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, as well as back-to-back International League Champions!  This past weekend was the first ever "Star Wars Night" at Huntington Park, as the Clippers welcomed Great Lakes Base and Ohio Garrison to "use the Force" against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.

photo courtesy of Snips92

As I had mentioned in a previous post, "Star Wars Night" promotions are becoming increasingly popular with minor league sports teams across the country; and the Columbus Clippers promotional team has been taking notes!  In addition to having us interacting with fans as they entered Huntington Park, the Clippers took the field to an awesome video presentation (full of action scenes from KOTR and The Force Unleashed II trailers) and special player photos (Clippers = Jedi) (Yankees = Empire) on the jumbotron when they came to bat.

Another "Star Wars Night" tradition has become the throwing of the 1st pitch. In the past, we've had Luke Skywalker and Chewbacca fire one across the plate -- to the cheers of the crowd -- but wouldn't you know it... Darth Vader "chopped" Luke's hand, right as he was ready to throw the ball; and made the throw himself! VIDEO: Columbus Clippers - Luke vs Vader opening pitch

Between innings, our guys took part in several of the Clippers' regular promotions: First inning, several of us joined the Clippers Crew and kids in "The Chicken Dance" -- I'm almost afraid to see any video from that! Later in the Third Inning, BrianKenobi helped a young boy with raking the infield near 3rd Base -- you can take the "farmboy" out of the desert... but you can't take the desert out of the farmboy!  Fifth Inning, Drazhar and Col-Mas (disguised as a TIE Pilot) raced tired down the 1st and 3rd Base lines -- you bet the jedi won!  Sixth Inning was when "the Dark Side" began to take over, as Darth Vader interfered with the outcome of the Hot Dog Races.

Columbus Clippers - Star Wars Night "Mission Photos"

Krash meets Krash

Unfortunately, the Yankees scored three in the 9th inning off Chris Ray to secure a 8-6 win. But not all hope was lost, as there were post-game fireworks to the music from... some kinda sci-fi movie, can't imagine what? ;)

Great Lakes Base would like to thank The Columbus Clippers organization and the fans for an amazing night!

On a more personal note, it was on this night that I can truly say that "I discovered myself." NO... really, the Columbus Clippers mascot is also named "Krash."  Actually, we've crossed paths at other events in Columbus -- the Autism Speaks walk at Ohio State University -- but being on "Jedi" Krash's home field too good to pass up getting a picture together!

Some of us had to leave early -- not as early as we should have -- because the next morning we had to be up early take make it in time for the last day of Motor City Comic Con 2012 (as mentioned in my last blog).  See ya'll in the morning!