Promo Preview: It all happens this weekend By Benjamin Hill

Previous 2018 editions of this column have taken a broad look at promotional trends throughout the Minors, from alternate identities involving food (or booze) to Star Wars to The Sandlot to Copa De La Diversion.
But now that we’re in the second month of the season, the time for broader looks has passed. It’s time to focus on the here and now. With that in mind, this week’s column looks at the 10 best promotions that are occurring between today (May 14) and Sunday, May 20.
Spoiler alert: All of these promotions are taking place on Friday or Saturday. Everybody’s working for the weekend.
Albuquerque Isotopes
Taco bobblehead, May 18

When the Isotopes suited up as the “Green Chile Cheeseburgers” last season, their opponent was the Fresno Tacos. But in Albuqerque, tacos aren’t always the opposition. “Taco” is a character in a nightly onfield mascot race, and on Friday this tortilla-wrapped protagonist is being honored with his own bobblehead. There is no word yet on whether Taco’s on-field nemeses, Green Chile and Red Chile, are outraged by the Isotopes’ decision to immortalize their racing foe.
Lansing Lugnuts
Pride Night, May 18

“Pride Night” promotions, a way for teams to engage with and celebrate the LGBTQ community, are becoming increasingly prevalent in the world of Minor League Baseball. The Lugnuts stage their first-ever Pride Night on Friday, featuring representatives from a variety of local LGBTQ organizations. The LanSINGout Gay Men’s Chorus will sing both the National Anthem and “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”
Palm Beach Cardinals
Broken iPhone Screen Amnesty Night, May 18

The Cardinals are extending an offer, “no questions asked,” to fans who are currently in possession of phones with broken screens. This offer reads, in part: “Whether your screen met its demise at a baseball game, during a tumble, a toilet mishap, a break-up…. Come to the game and sign up to win one of nine free iPhone screen repairs. One per inning done on the spot!” This is a promotion that seems exactly what it was cracked up to be.
Rochester Red Wings
Renew Your Vows Night, May 18

There’ll be runs, hits and love in the air at Rochester’s Frontier Field this Friday. The team is offering a “Renew Your Vows” package, featuring a pregame ceremony presided over by on-field host/ordained minister Grant Anderson and Bernie Carbo. The latter individual, a veteran of 12 Major League seasons, is the evening’s special guest and will sign autographs following the ceremony. In addition to publicly declaring their continuing love for one another, couples will recieve special “Renew Your Vow Night” koozies. That’s so romantic.
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