Ballpark Giveaways

All of us who are chasing after the "final ballpark" have a stash of giveaway items or things we caught at the games. Combined my son and I have about 10 footlockers full of stuff (which I'll probably giveaway at some point). I'd like to see a list of your favorite items you've received from games and your least favorite. You can even add items you got at other sports stadiums as well.

Favorite Item:
A game day football my son received: Ford Field, Detroit Lions.

Least Favorite:
Any foam anything (do they all last about 10 seconds).

We've probably all missed good giveaways as well. List those as well if you would like.

Good chasing.

thequesterstoo@youtube.com

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Comment by michael schwartz (71) on October 2, 2012 at 5:58pm: Saw a game at Coors Field during the inaugural season, 1995. They gave away checkbook covers with a photo of the ballpark during a fireworks show. I use one on my checkbook to this date.

Once at a minor league game somewhere down south, back in the last millennium, they were giving away lots of stuff to "lucky seat numbers." Most of the giveaways were useless trinkets or discount coupons to local businesses, which would be of no use to a visitor like me who would be on the road the next morning. The single desirable item, IMO was a coupon for a free pizza at a local joint. Miraculously they call my seat number for the pizza! After the game I raced over to the pizzeria, got my pie, and scarfed it down at the motel. Pure joy!

Comment by Thequesters Too on September 30, 2012 at 6:26pm: jvolks the Islander thing is pretty funny. Some people came away probably thinking they got a bad case of dandruff.

Comment by Thequesters Too on September 30, 2012 at 6:25pm: I always love giveaways days where you are among the first 100 in line with only 100 giveaways and end up not getting one. This happened to my son and I at a pro-Lacrosse game where the first 1000 kids got authentic lacrosse stick?. Anyway we were among the first 200 and nothing. Pissed about the next 1000 people behind me. The team eventually relented and had the kids who came to customer service put their name in and they would be sent the item. Still have it too.

Comment by jvolks (19) on September 30, 2012 at 10:08am: Best giveaway: We we're part of the Lucky Hat Row at Wrigley on a really hot summer day when we didn't wear hats. It was a pretty nice hat too, not like the cheap mesh one's teams usually give away.

Worst Giveaway: I went to an Islanders Playoff Game several years ago (Yes they once had playoff caliber teams) at the Coliseum where they gave away small towels that they wanted us to wave around. The towels were so cheap that the white fluff kept on coming apart and it looked like it was snowing in the Coliseum.

Comment by Joseph Donaldson (17) on September 28, 2012 at 7:29pm: I've been to a Cyclones jersey giveaway games a couple times. They do it regularly. The jerseys are decent quality. The design, in my opinion, is hit or miss. Some are really cool and some are hideous. Unfortunately I got one of the uglier giveaway jerseys, but I'll be back for a better one sometime, hopefully next year. My recommendation is to look up the giveaways and go on a day when they give away a jersey that you like.

Make sure to get to the game early though if you want a jersey. I think they give away 3,000. It's not uncommon for the Cyclones to draw 8,000 to 10,000 fans.

Comment by Thequesters Too on September 28, 2012 at 6:28pm: Has anybody been to a Brooklyn Cyclones game when they have free jersey day? I saw a few of those and I thought I'd make a special trip up there.

Comment by Joseph Donaldson (17) on September 28, 2012 at 6:21pm: Mets lunch box, tin, cool design, Mr. Met logo.
Blue Jays hat day 2012. They gave a nice hat, not the junk ones I've gotten a dozen times before that don't fit my big noggin.
Mets blanket, I use it all the time for picnics.
Shae Stadium pin from the final year, thanks for the memories.
Connecticut tigers (MiLB) coffee mug. Cool mug, drink from it all the time.
I wasn't there for it but I really liked the Baracklyn Cyclones bobblehead. Even though I'm not a bobble head fan.
Schedule Magnets are nice.
The Brewers used to give away free police department baseball cards at county stadium. Loved those cards just as much as topps as a kid.

Comment by meg minard (30/44/205) on September 28, 2012 at 6:01pm: Wow - Memphis Chicks/Tim McCarver Stadium. I thought I was the only one who remembers that place (I wasn't particularly fond of it). I have a Chicks hat too - I'm guessing it was a giveaway because I don't normally buy hats at stadiums.

I don't go to games because of the giveaway. I go because of the game or if it's a new stadium/arena. If there's a giveaway, it is always an extra bonus.

Favorite Giveaway Item: Free ticket for a game next year (Rockies hand them out the last day of the home season). T-shirts are also welcome. If I ever catch one, a foul ball would be nice. For hockey - a hockey puck is always great.

Least Favorite: I received a pocket protector at a minor league game 15 years ago. I still remember it as it was such a unique giveaway. I never used it and I'm guessing I don't have it anymore.