Columbus Clippers

by: Cordaroyfog

Over Memorial Day Weekend, Great Lakes Base, Ohio Garrison, and Rancor Clan spent a night at Huntington Ballpark. The Columbus Clippers hosted their second annual "Star Wars Night" -- which drew a season high 11,448 in attendance, for a fun-filled night with jedi, sith, and fireworks!  Making up for last year when Darth Vader intervened, the jedi threw out the first pitch; which got to home plate, on only one bounce.

photo courtesy: Zac Taylor

Throughout the game various jedi, sith, bounty hunters, and more took hundreds of photos with fans, many dressed up themselves as classic characters.  In between the innings, we all participated in many different activities on the field:  a couple of jedi tossed out swag from atop the dugouts, some helped judge the fan costume contest, and others supervised the legendary hotdog race.

The game went into extra innings but everyone stayed for the big fireworks finale.  Although the Clippers ended up losing 2-1 in ten innings, when the lights were shut the real party started.  Throughout the game, the Clippers had sold thousands of toy lightsabers to fans.  Later, as Huntington Park fell into darkness, the lightsabers were ignited in a scene straight out of the Geonosian arena from “Episode II: Attack of the Clones.”

After some friendly -- yet spirited -- lightsaber dueling in the dark, the fireworks died away and the evening came to a close.  The Clippers were gracious hosts, who provided food and water and excellent scheduling and support.  There have already been preliminary talks to expand the event next year, and more then a few fans inquired if we would be back, and when.