Leading Off: Gary Coleman

The struggling economy has hit sports franchises from several different angles: sponsorships, advertising, merchandise sales, and not least of all, ticket sales. Many teams have decided not to raise ticket prices this season and are finding creative ways to bring in fans.

I came across this hilarious promotion that the Madison Mallards, a summer collegiate baseball team in the Northwoods League, put on last August. As the team got ready for the late season playoff push, they signed actor Gary Coleman to a one-day contract as a designated hitter and slotted him as the lead off batter.

“As the Mallards prepare for the playoffs we feel that we need a special player to help put us over the top,” GM Vern Stenman said at the time. “Gary brings a lot of intangibles to the field and I feel like his presence would help invigorate our club as they get ready for a run at a championship. You can’t coach a strike zone like Gary has and I anticipate him being a force at the top of our lineup.”

He makes a good point about the strike zone! Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to see Gary swing for the fences. Watch as he gets ejected for corking his bat with bouncy balls....