Minor League Baseball is America's national treasure. From millennial night to walk-off strikeouts, some of the greatest moments and marketing tactics in the sports realm hail from the MiLB.
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But don't be fooled: the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball is the heartland's greatest sports league, and the MiLB can't hold a hot dog to what this league gives back to its fans.
The league was founded in 2005 and has captured the hearts of small town America. It's baseball that reminds us how the people in places like Gary, Indiana and Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Cleburne, Texas love competition and will support their hometown club through anything.
Yes, even a food fight.
In St. Paul, Minnesota, baseball is religion. The first iteration of the St. Paul Saints formed in 1894 — Six years later, that team was moved to the South Side, where they became the Chicago White Sox.
On Tuesday night, the Saints' fans were treated with the ultimate in-game action — after the fifth inning, prepared packages of mashed potatoes, marshmallows, popcorn, and powdered donuts were passed out, rain ponchos were adorned, and all hell broke loose.
The footage is incredible, as food rains over down from all angles while The Kingsmen's "Louie Louie" blares over the speakers.
FOOD FIIIIGHT!
St. Paul honored the 40th anniversary of the film "Animal House," starring John Belushi as John "Bluto" Blutarsky in the famous cafeteria food fight scene on the video board.
Fans who came to CHS Field were asked to bring non-perishable food items to donate to Safezone as part of the promotion.
Still, the list of concerns for this tactic are endless:
— Who agreed to clean that up after the game?
— Why does St. Paul have so many ponchos?
— How much did all that popcorn cost?
— Why wasn't I invited?
— How are they going to top this?
The St. Paul Saints of today play in the Northern Division of the American Association League. The team is in first place this season, boasting a 48-36 record with less than a month to go.
They can play some baseball, and they have a knack for genius promotions, too.
Get your tickets: the St. Paul Saints play the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks in Northern League action this weekend.
