Tag: MalloryG- Sports Management

IMG_1468-vavajyI’m very excited to announce that I finally got a picture of me wearing the Annie mascot costume! It took three days of climbing into the costume, three days of racing against two other characters, three days of entertaining fans, but it was all worth it because I finally got my picture. I had just finished up a race (which I won by the way) and I was making my way through the stands to take pictures with fans. All of a sudden, I see two very unexpected people asking for a picture with “Annie”: my mom and sister. Of course my sister recognized my shoes and knew that the person behind the Annie costume was indeed her sister. I noticed their giggles as they each posed with me individually and then had a stranger take a picture of us three and then ordered me to “twirl” for a video that later got sent out to all of my grandparents. While the Annie costume is not exactly flattering or comfortable, it makes for some really funny pictures.

Today was different than any of my other days working with the Bulls because it was not a game day. The offices were much more quiet and relaxed than what I’m used to and I wasn’t working with the promo team. Instead I did some work for Faith while she attended a meeting and finished up a magazine like project for the next game. After a fantastic lunch at Tyler’s, I spent my time researching potential game day songs, deciding on which future promotions should be advertised, and other small tasks. It was not a very long or work-heavy day but I enjoyed experiencing the office atmosphere for the first time.

My favorite part of today was lunch with Faith at an incredible restaurant called Tyler’s. The food was great, but I really enjoyed talking to Faith and learning more about the Bulls and her job. She told me a lot about her experience as a member of the promotions team as well as her job now. The whole experience was very informative and I enjoyed the work-free time we had to just chat.

Today I once again got to help coordinate the Mini Wool E’s which is by far my favorite promo event. We found 4 kids around 5 or 6 years old and dressed them up in mini Wool E. Bull costumes. They then ran around with the real Wool E. Bull in a “follow the leader” type fashion on the field between innings. While the crowd only got to experience about 2 minutes of their cuteness, I had the luxury of guiding them, helping them get dressed, and then waiting with them. They were some of the cutest kids ever and although it’s not easy getting them dressed and keeping them occupied for an unknown amount of time, it’s very enjoyable.

Today I dressed up as Annie again, a giant mascot costume, however today’s experience was a bit different from the last. Once again I was racing against two other mascots and although I lost (again), it was super fun. Afterwards, I walked through the stands to take pictures with kids and even some adults. One kid in particular asked me to sign his Bulls hat, but the costume provides limited eyesight so I couldn’t see where I was writing on the hat. Unfortunately I had to scribble on the hat in a way that hopefully resembled “Annie”. While the kid was probably a bit confused when “Annie” had an illegible signature, I’m hoping that our picture and high-five made up for it. Unfortunately I couldn’t snap a pic of the costume because I was, well, wearing it. I did, however include a pic of Wool E. Bull getting ready to ride his go kart into the stadium to kick off the exciting game!

My favorite part of today was once again working with the knockerballs. We recruited four young men to climb into giant inflatable balls and run into each other at full speed with the goal of racing around a cone before the other team. Today’s knockerballs competitors were a bit more sporadic than yesterday’s as they did not exactly stick to the rules of the game but instead spent the entire time trying to run into each other. Once our time limit between innings hit, we tried to herd them off of the field so the game could resume, however this proved to be very difficult. Not only did they stray from the goal of the game, they did not listen to our commands to “get off the field quickly”. Although the team had to exert a bit more energy than usual getting them off the field, it was quite amusing for the crowd and me. Unfortunately I couldn’t get a video of the chaos because I was on the field with the team creating a human barrier for the game. I did, however, find time to snap of a picture of the “Zooperstars”, giant inflatable mascot costumes that ran around the files and danced between several of the innings. Not only were they funny to look at, they interacted with some of the baseball players and fans and did hilarious things that made the crowd roar. Although I didn’t help coordinate their appearance because the promo team wasn’t as involved, I really enjoyed watching their performance as if I were one of the fans. Today was a wrap up of the weekday games and I look forward to working the games this weekend!

Day 3 was very eventful for the promo team and me. We coordinated many activities (as usual), but my favorite by far was the mini Wool E. Bulls. We recruited 4 kids around 6 years old to dress up in Wool E. Bull costumes and run around with the real mascot on the field between two of the innings. I got to help them get dressed and then keep them occupied underneath the stadium while we waited for the inning to finish up. Not only were they adorable in their costumes, they were the sweetest kids and although it wasn’t easy getting them dressed and entertained while the rest of the team coordinated other activities, I had a great time. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get a picture because I usually don’t have my phone on me while I’m working, but imagine 4 tiny children running around in little Bull mascot costumes…it was adorable. Another event I loved helping coordinate was the knockerballs. We recruited 4 men to get into giant inflatable rubber balls and then run around and fall into eachother infront of the whole stadium. While it sounds a bit chaotic, the goal was for them to race around cones but run into eachother for the amusement of the stadium and fun of the game. While I didn’t enjoy carrying the gigantic and heavy knockerballs all the way from the offices underneath the stadium up to an area to the side, I enjoyed, as did the crowd, watching the players run into eachother at full speed and then bounce straight backwards, unharmed of course. I once again enjoyed working with the team and I’m looking forward to tomorrow!

IMG_1394-1jvgtsd

I had a very eventful 2nd day with the promo team. I was once again working a game, but today I was more involved rather than just observing. Today the Bulls hosted Bark in the Park, an event where dozens of fans brought their dogs to the game and walked them through the field before the game started. Luckily, I got to hang out on the field and guide the pet owners during the walk so I got to pet some really adorable dogs. My favorite part of today was taking part in one of the races. The team was short handed so they asked me to step in as Annie, a giant, top-heavy, cartoon mascot costume. Not only did Annie give me about 4 feet in height, she was extremely difficult to walk in. I, however, still ran the boundary of the field alongside two other “Bulls’ Racers” in a competitive race to capture a bone. Although I lost the race due to the awkwardness of the costume and my inability to run with it on, the crowd still cheered for me and applauded my 3rd place victory. Following the race, I got to walk through the stands, still dressed as Annie, and take pictures with kids. I really enjoyed my time today and even though it was not easy, I really enjoyed playing Annie for a little while.

Today was my first day working with the promotions team for the Durham Bulls. I met Matt Sutor, the director of marketing & communications and Faith Inman, a lead member of the promotions team. Most of my day was spent shadowing Faith and the rest of the promo team as well as enjoying a double header baseball game against the Rochester Red Wings. I learned a lot about the background of the promo team, including all of the stuff they do behind the scenes of baseball games. I never realized how much goes into the little things that they handle such as ads projected during the game, activities between innings, presenting the mascot (Wool E. Bull), and more. Today, Faith explained that I will work closely with the promo team during the work experience and will help them coordinate and set-up activities before and during each game. While today was more of an introductory day where I learned what role I would play these next two weeks, I look forward  to getting more involved tomorrow!

I’m very excited to work the Durham Bulls’ promotion team!

I’m very excited to work with the Durham Bulls’ promotion team!