Mascot triple play: Slugger the Sea Dog up for 3 awards
Photo / Courtesy Portland Sea Dogs
Slugger's "Field Goal" skit, shown here at Hadlock Field, is up for a "Best-in-Game Skit or Routine" award from the Mascot Hall of Fame. Fans can vote online through Nov. 21.
Baseball season may be over, but Slugger the Sea Dog is in the running for three national awards.
The Portland Sea Dogs mascot has been nominated for awards from the Mascot Hall of Fame in these categories: Greatest Community Impact, Best In-Game Routine or Skit and Best Video Short.
In June, Slugger became the first minor league sports mascot to enter the Hall of Fame.
Based at Haddock Field, the Sea Dogs baseball team is the Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.
Voting for the mascot awards is already underway, and fans can cast their votes for Slugger here. Voting once a day per email address is permitted through Nov. 21.
Since this summer Mascot Hall of Fame induction ceremony, "Life has gone from crazy to insane," Slugger told Mainebiz.
Since the popular pooch uses only nonverbal communication, he relayed his comments through interpreter Chris Cameron, the team's vice president for communications and fan experience.
"No matter where I go, there are always a lot of 'Congratulations Sluggah!''' the popular pooch continued. "Not only has it grown the demand for my appearances in the community, but it has created a unique opportunity for me to help local nonprofits even more.
"How many nonprofits in the nation can promote they’ll have a Hall of Famer in attendance? I don’t know the answer to that … but I know the ones in Maine can.”
In 2022, Slugger was nominated for all three awards and won two, for "Greatest Community Impact” and “Best In-Game Skit or Routine.”
More about the awards
The Mascot Hall of Fame Awards program spans several categories including major and minor league sports, college, high school, independent and corporate mascots. Winners in each category were determined through an online public vote. Each winner receives a “Golden Reggy," named for the mascot of the Mascot Hall of Fame.
The award for “Greatest Community Impact” is awarded to a program within the organization’s community that is spearheaded by the team or school’s mascot which directly benefits the community. The program can be any type of effort that helps with specific needs within the community. Slugger is nominated for his role in serving as the face of the Sea Dogs’ Strike Out Cancer in Kids program which has raised more than five million dollars for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program since 1995.
The “Best In-Game Skit or Routine” honors a mascot that performs during the sporting event for the team or school. It could be a single routine/skit or a series of the same routine/skit that is performed all season long. Slugger’s “Field Goal” skit is one of seven skits nominated for the award. For the gag, Slugger dressed as a football and a young fan kicks him through the uprights.
Slugger is well known for his in-game skits featuring dancing, flips, stunts and harmless but humorous pie-throws.
The award for “Best Video or Short” is awarded to a produced video featuring the mascot. This video could be used online, on social, or at a live event. Videos are judged on originality, creativity and entertainment value and need not be sport-related. Slugger’s Thanksgiving video has been nominated for the honor.
Hadlock on Saturday
Tickets for the Sea Dogs 2024 season go on sale Saturday, Nov. 4, at Hadlock Field, starting at 9 a.m. , and all fans who buy tickets will receive a 20% off coupon for the Sea Dogs Souvenir store good for the day, excluding yard sale items and gift cards.
The annual Hadlock Field Yard Sale, also on Saturday, will feature items including autographed merchandise, signage, bobbleheads and publications.
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