LITTLE ROCK — Business pirates
Earlier this month, the Lake Elsinore Storm was forced to cancel a "Dr. Seuss Night" promotion thanks to a cease-and-desist order from Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
Left with a large supply of unused red and white socks, the Storm, of the Class A California League, put the excess footwear to use as part of Wednesday's "Pirate Night."
The next afternoon, the Storm encouraged local businessmen to put their feet up in their "Business Man Special" promotion.
The Storm provided "Storm Doctor's Notes" to hooky-playing workers taking in the game, a shoe shiner was stationed on the ballpark concourse and beers were sold for one dollar. There was also a mandatory quiet inning so fans could safely call the boss and let him know the meeting was running long without tipping off employers to their actual location.
Last time in Tucson
Tucson, Ariz., is limping its way out of minor league baseball.
The Sidewinders, the Class AAA affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, are 12-28, the worst record in the Pacific Coast League. After the season, the Sidewinders are moving to Reno, Nev., where they will be renamed.
The new team's name has not yet been chosen, but fans may offer their suggestions at milb.com. Regardless of its name, the team will play at Sierra Nevada Stadium, which began construction February 25 and is expected to seat 10,000.
Tucson has had a Class AAA franchise since 1969. When the Diamondbacks joined Major League Baseball in 1998, the Phoenix Firebirds moved to Tucson and became the Sidewinders, while the pre-existing Tucson Toros became the Fresno Grizzlies.
Sports, Pages 39 on 05/18/2008