On Thursday, April 23, Bowling Green baseball fans gathered around the diamond to watch the Bowling Green Hot Rods play against the Jersey Shore BlueClaws. However, the local team was not in their usual colors.
Marketing and promotions intern with the Bowling Green Hot Rods, Kallie Powell, is a senior from Monticello, Kentucky. Powell sang the National Anthem at the Bowling Green Hot Rods vs. Jersey Shores BlueClaws baseball game on Thursday, April 24.
Kallie Powell, a WKU senior and Hot Rods promotion and marketing intern, said the uniforms were a part of the team’s Bootlegger Night. She said the Bootleggers were one of multiple alternate identities the Hot Rods assume to excite fans at their home games.
“We have a few of them later on in the year,” Powell said. “We have the White Squirrels, who have these pretty white and red jerseys they wear, and tomorrow is Caveman Night.”
According to the Hot Rods website, the Bootleggers are an homage to illegal moonshine production, also known as bootlegging, which laid the groundwork for Kentucky’s bourbon industry.
Steve Dolan, a retired General Motors employee, said he and his wife attend Bootlegger Nights more often than they do typical games because of the discounted drink prices. He said this and similar events were part of what separates the Minor and Major Leagues.
(From left) Steve Dolan, Debbie Dolan and Ann Green enjoy the Bowling Green Hot Rods vs. Jersey Shores BlueClaws baseball game on Thursday, April 24. “We try to get to a few [games] every year,” Steve Dolan said. (Photo by Ella Oakley)
“One of the good things about Minor League Baseball is, they do a lot of promotions and things to bring fans out to the games,” Dolan said.
Dolan said he played baseball as a child, and has continued to watch it in the years since. He said he appreciates how much longer careers are in baseball compared to other professional sports.
“The average player in the NFL probably plays less than four years,” Dolan said. “But in baseball, if they can stay healthy, they may play 18 or 19 years in the big leagues.”
Lindy Barris, a bartender at Hot Rods, said she became a baseball fan due to her husband’s affinity for the Chicago Cubs.
Lindy Barris is a bartender for the Bowling Green Hot Rods and said she has been working with them for two seasons.
“It’s not a job to me; it’s fun,” Barris said. “And I get to watch the games, which is great.”
Barris said her favorite aspect of the job is interacting with fans.
“I’m a people person, so I’m real outgoing and extroverted,” Barris said. “I’ll hopefully be doing this next year, too, because it’s too much fun.”
The Bowling Green Hot Rods emerged victorious, with a score of 12 to five.
Pitcher Trevor Harrison pitches the ball to the opposing team’s batter during the Bowling Green Hot Rods vs. Jersey Shores BlueClaws baseball game on Thursday, April 24. Infielder Adrian Santana (left) catches the ball and gets an out for the team at the Bowling Green Hot Rods vs. Jersey Shores BlueClaws baseball game on Thursday, April 24. Infielder Jose Perez listens to his teammates hype each other up before the Bowling Green Hot Rods vs. the Jersey Shores BlueClaws baseball game on Thursday, April 24. Outfielder Connor Hujsak high-fives his team after hitting a home run at the Bowling Green Hot Rods vs. Jersey Shores Blue Claws baseball game on Thursday, April 24.Infielder Tony Santa Maria is up to bat at the Bowling Green Hot Rods vs. Jersey Shores BlueClaws baseball game on Thursday, April 24. Pitcher T.J. Fondtain pitches the ball to the opposing team at bat at the Bowling Green Hot Rods vs. Jersey Shores BlueClaws baseball game on Thursday, April 24.Pitcher Trevor Harrison pitches the ball to the opposing team’s batter during the Bowling Green Hot Rods vs. Jersey Shores BlueClaws baseball game on Thursday, April 24. Outfielder Tom Poole is up to bat at the Bowling Green Hot Rods vs. Jersey Shores BlueClaws baseball game on Thursday, April 24. Infielder Narciso Polanco stands at third base at the Bowling Green Hot Rods vs. Jersey Shores BlueClaws baseball game on Thursday, April 24.
Cam Martin cheers on the Hot Rods at the Bowling Green Hot Rods vs. Jersey Shores BlueClaws baseball game on Thursday, April 24. Infielder Émilien Pitre runs to first base after hitting the ball at the Bowling Green Hot Rods vs. Jersey Shores BlueClaws baseball game on Thursday, April 24. Promotions Manager Camryn Moore throws bags of peanuts to the crowd during the seventh inning stretch at the Bowling Green Hot Rods vs. Jersey Shores BlueClaws baseball game on Thursday, April 24. Infielder Émilien Pitre hits the ball during the Bowling Green Hot Rods vs. Jersey Shores BlueClaws baseball game on Thursday, April 24. Infielder Ryan McCoy practices his swing before he is up to bat at the Bowling Green Hot Rods vs. Jersey Shores BlueClaws baseball game on Thursday, April 24. Outfielder Tom Poole slides into second base at the Bowling Green Hot Rods vs. Jersey Shores BlueClaws baseball game on Thursday, April 24. Infielder Tony Santa Maria (right) claps his teammate’s hand after running to home base at the Bowling Green Hot Rods vs. Jersey Shores BlueClaws baseball game on Thursday, April 24.Pitcher Andrew Lindsey jumps up to high five his teammate after winning the Bowling Green Hot Rods vs. Jersey Shores Blue Claws baseball game on Thursday, April 24. (Photo by Ella Oakley)Kody Haney cheers on the Hot Rods at the Bowling Green Hot Rods vs. Jersey Shores BlueClaws baseball game on Thursday, April 24.
