by Matt DeLaere, Marketing
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| Durham’s Star Wars Night Jerseys [Image from http://www.milb.com] |
Fans of both science fiction and bad puns will be in all their glory this weekend as Star Wars Day comes around again. Sunday’s date can be made into the pun (punnished?) “May the Fourth be with you,” and this simple changing of one word has launched a slew of professional sports promotions. As has been the trend in recent years, several teams will be wearing special jerseys, many of which will be auctioned for charity.
The Durham Bulls will be donning special Star Wars Day jerseys designed to look like Luke Skywalker’s beeping sidekick, R2-D2, to benefit the Autism Society of North Carolina. Meanwhile, the Kane County Cougars will wear Chewbacca-inspired uniforms, similar to the ones worn by the Toledo Mud Hens last Star Wars Day.
The Syracuse Chiefs’ special jerseys are a bit more subdued, with a change to a red and black color scheme and the team name in a Star Wars font, underscored by a lightsaber. The jerseys will be auctioned off throughout the season to benefit local charities.
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| Machine and Outlaws Star Wars Jerseys [Image from http://www.majorleaguelacrosse.com] |
When the Denver Outlaws and Ohio Machine face off in a Major League Lacrosse game Sunday, the Outlaws will be wearing Rebel Alliance-inspired jerseys (think of Luke’s orange flight suit) and the Machine will don white Storm Trooper uniforms. The jerseys will be auctioned after the game with proceeds going to the Wounded Warrior Project.
The Star Wars trend in minor league baseball isn’t just limited to this weekend, though. On June 28th the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers will wear Darth Vader-style jerseys, and on July 26th, the Eugene Emeralds will salute Boba Fett.
The Brooklyn Cyclones will be renamed the “Sithclones” on August 2nd, and will don jerseys adorned with the face of Darth Maul and the word “Brooklyn” in Aurebesh, which apparently is some sort of Star Wars language.
And on August 16th, the Sacramento River Cats will wear an R2-D2 jersey similar to the one worn by Durham this weekend.
So, if you’re a Star Wars fan and a baseball fan, this weekend kicks off a cool summer for you. If you’re not into sci-fi sports, just play along and support the charities.