However, that doesn’t seem to be a problem for the Altoona Curve, AA affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

There are many fans who go to the game just to enjoy baseball, but the team’s promotional schedule is also a tool in attracting fans.

For the first time, the Curve’s 2024 promotional schedule features a theme for all 69 home games.

Some are instrumental in attracting large crowds.

A young Curve fan participates in an on-field game between innings at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Courtesy photo

“That is true when we do off-the-wall promotions. I talk to the fans, I’ve had some people say I come here for the promotions like “Mutts Gone Nuts,” those kinds of promotional nights move the needle. We have people come in from Pittsburgh and further away for the bobblehead nights,” said Mike Kessling, director of marketing, promotions and special events. “We get a lot of groups for certain promotions.”

Star Wars Night (June 29 this year) has always been huge. Another big crowd turned out for the 2019 game, when The Curve gave out the 75th Anniversary of D-Day Jerseys.

“We had a Sherman tank and the oldest living Ranger here,” Kessling said.

Promotions during the weekdays are helpful in attracting fans since weekend crowds are typically larger.

The Curve offer food promotions to help on some of the nights.

Altoona Curve Marketing, Promotions and Special Events Director Mike Kessling (left) directs fan competitions between innings at a recent game. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Tuesday night games are 2-for-Tuesday, where fans can purchase two for the price of one on tickets, hot dogs and small popcorn.

On Wednesdays, fans can purchase 50-cent boneless wings, enjoy $6 glasses of wine; Thursdays are Thirstday at PNG Field with $3 16 ounce select domestic drafts, $2 22 ounce sodas and $2 Juniata brand by Kunzler hot dogs.

“Promotions are more important on weekdays, it is about giving a reason for people to come on nights like Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. We want to make it so you want to come so we try to do different things every game,” said General Manager Nate Bowen.

It takes time to put together the yearly promotional schedule and some preliminary work on the 2025 schedule is underway.

“The first hurdle is getting the schedule from the league. We usually get it in July. We can’t put promotions into the holes until we know when we will be home. We need to align things between sponsors and acts,” Bowen said.

Altoona Curve fans have fun watching games between innings at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Courtesy photo

“When we build our promotional schedule, it is a full team effort. Everyone has their finger on the schedule. We have a white board with 2025 ideas and narrow it down in September and October. We get ideas from everyone on the staff and from fans,” Kessling said.

For example, a recent promotion for the worst major league player of all time came from a fan,

Kessling said.

Bowen said about 80% of the promotions are sponsored.

“Finding what fans want and sponsors want is important,” Bowen said.

“Some sponsors seek out certain promotions such as Star Wars Night,” Kessling said.

The Curve also offer a full-schedule of in-game games which are held between innings.

“We have a creative meeting and discuss where to start. The challenge is with a six game home stand we don’t want to do the same thing. We try to have our own promotions for our on-field games. It is not hard; we have such a creative and diverse team. There are ideas we say we can’t do, but sometimes we build them into something we can do,” Kessling said.

“We do all of the acts, the ideas come from people, season ticket holders, employees. We’re lucky to have people who want to bring their ideas to us,” Bowen said.

Kessling said the chipping challenge, where contestants try to chip a golf ball into a bucket to win a $50 Curve coin from Nuts For You, is one of the more popular games.

“Only one person did it. The whole stadium lost their minds. When kids are involved, they make things entertaining by default,” Kessling said.

One of the challenges with in-game games is expenses. For example, Kessling said the toothbrush used by kids to clean the bases costs $300.

“We try to provide props that look good and keep costs down. We want to do the games at the high level that fans come to expect. Sometimes explaining the games to the contestants is a challenge,” Kessling said.

The in-game games are focused more on the fans than the contestants, Kessling said.

“I want to entertain the people watching. The more outrageous, the more entertaining. Every game is a different challenge,” he said.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.