See MiLB parks under the (X-mas) lights

Plus, a reader's first Minor League memory you won't forget [Ben's Biz Beat]( [By Benjamin Hill]( December 14, 2023 Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson was so enamored with his number, 85, that he legally changed his surname to Ochocinco. Please read this, the 85th edition of the Ben’s Biz Beat newsletter, with the same level of over-the-top commitment. Let’s talk about Minor League Baseball.   NATURAL PROGRESSION: NORTHWEST ARKANSAS UNVEILS NEW LOOK [Northwest Arkansas Naturals]( After going [gaga over Greensboro]( and [reveling over Rome]( it is now time to go nutty over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.  The Naturals, Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, unveiled new logos and uniforms on Dec. 6. The team, per vice-president and general manager Justin Cole, “wanted a more vibrant look.” They also, for good measure, unveiled a new chicken logo that pays homage to the locally prominent poultry industry.  [READ ABOUT THE NORTHWEST ARKANSAS NATURALS NEW LOOK HERE](   'TIS THE SEASON: MINOR LEAGUE BALLPARKS CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS At Minor League ballparks all over the country, peanuts and Cracker Jack have been replaced by cocoa and candy canes. What follows is a by-no-means-comprehensive look at holiday spectacles that are currently taking place across the Minor League landscape, primarily in the South and Southeast. [Christmas in Charlotte]( (Photo: Laura Wolfe) Charlotte Knights – [Light the Knights Festival]( (through Jan. 1) Truist Field, located in the heart of uptown Charlotte, has one of Minor League Baseball’s most spectacular backdrops. The gleaming skyscrapers that loom beyond the ballpark add a layer of beauty and mystique to the annual Light the Knights Festival, which includes an ice rink, snow tubing, a holiday market and seasonal concessions. The full-sized ice rink will be put to good use on Jan. 13, as the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers will play the Rochester Americans in the first-ever [Queen City Outdoor Classic](. [Christmas in Columbia]( Columbia Fireflies – [Fireflies Holiday Lights]( (through Dec. 31) Segra Park is already Minor League Baseball’s most luminescent location -- it hosts the Fireflies. The team’s second iteration of Fireflies Holiday Lights is a glow-up of epic proportions, featuring over one million LED lights strewn throughout the ballpark. Highlights include concourse train rides, visits with Santa and a Vendor Village offering a wide range of gift-purchasing opportunities. [Christmas in Sugar Land]( Sugar Land Space Cowboys – [Sugar Land Holiday Lights]( 2023 marks the 10th iteration of Sugar Land Holiday Lights, held at the Space Cowboys’ home of Constellation Field. This event incorporates an astounding number of lights – 3.5 million! Santa Claus, a 40-foot tree, holiday vendors and a snow slide can be found within. If you’re one of the first 1,000 fans to show up today (Dec. 14th), then a Space Cowboys Santa Jersey shall be yours. [Christmas in Rocket City]( Rocket City Trash Pandas – [Rocket City Christmas Light Show and Winter Wonderland]( (through Dec. 31) The Christmas Light Show portion of this Toyota Field spectacular is a synchronized drive-through display, over a mile and a half in length. Winter Wonderland is in the ballpark itself. Highlights include a 15-foot snow globe as well as a Christmas tree sale (with proceeds going to local non-profit organizations). [Christmas in Fayetteville]( Fayetteville Woodpeckers – [Holiday Lights]( (through Dec. 23) The Woodpeckers, like the Fireflies, play at a ballpark named Segra Stadium. Fayetteville’s light display includes a walk-through path on the warning track, and there are theme nights and giveaways aplenty. Upcoming events include holiday movie screenings, a holiday market and, a rarity for this time of year, fireworks. [Christmas in Durham]( Durham Bulls – [Wool E.’s Winter Wonderland]( (through Dec. 31) We’ll end where we began, with a Triple-A International League team based in North Carolina. Mascot Wool E. has lent his name to Durham Bulls Athletic Park’s first Winter Wonderland endeavor, a sprawling affair that includes a sledding hill, a concourse train and igloos in the field. You have to make a reservation in advance if you want an igloo, though. Igloos are in demand.   JOSH JACKSON INTERRUPTS [Josh Jackson Interrupts]( This is Josh Jackson, disrupting Ben's rhythm once again. You know me as the host of Ghosts of the Minors, The Show Before the Show segment in which I challenge you to identify the historical Minor League team or player hidden among two fakes. Today, though, I'm asking you to step outside with me. Over on MiLB.com, I've highlighted a [few Minor League destinations]( that are right by some of the coolest bike paths and walking trails you may not know about.  And don't fret! Before you know it, I'll be back with a new edition of Ghosts of the Minors on the podcast.   SPEAKING OF THE PODCAST… [Ben, Tyler, Sam]( In case you missed it last month: In episode #433 of The Show Before the Show podcast, Sam Dykstra, Tyler Maun and I interviewed each other about careers. If you’ve ever wondered, “How does somebody become a Minor League Baseball media personality, anyway?” then this is the episode for you.  [LISTEN TO EPISODE #433 OF THE SHOW BEFORE THE SHOW PODCAST HERE](   THE GREATEST: BATS UNVEIL MUHAMMAD ALI BOBBLEHEAD [Ali bobblehead]( Muhammad Ali was a native, and longtime resident, of Louisville, Ky. In recent years the Bats have partnered with Louisville’s Ali Center for an annual Ali Festival Night, and this collaboration has now resulted in a [new Muhammad Ali bobblehead](. However, the bobbleheads are only available to fans who purchase a season ticket package of five games or more. The Bats are also now selling an Ali-themed hat, with portions of the proceeds going to the Ali Center. [Louisville Ali hat](   47 YEARS AND COUNTING: KEN SCHNACKE A COLUMBUS BASEBALL ICON I keep saying I’m done writing articles based on people I met during my 2023 ballpark travels, but then I dive into my notes and voice memos and find one more worth doing. My latest story is on Columbus Clippers president Ken Schnacke. [Ken Schnacke]( Schnacke was hired by the Clippers in November 1976, prior to their inaugural season, and has since become synonymous with the franchise. [READ ABOUT COLUMBUS CLIPPERS PRESIDENT KEN SCHNACKE HERE](   MY FIRST MINOR LEAGUE GAME: READING IS FUNDAMENTAL [Reading]( It’s been a little while since I dedicated space to readers’ recollections of their first games. Let’s rectify that, via this account from Peter A. Chiarelli:  My first game was in the late ‘60s at Reading Municipal Stadium, longtime home of the Reading Fightin’ Phils (now known as FirstEnergy Stadium). However, the real reason I accepted my Dad’s invitation to go to the park was that the owner (at that time) Joe Buzas (a real Minor League maverick) was raffling off a pony!  Needless to say, this grabbed my attention being an 8-year-old who loved the Lone Ranger and the Cisco Kid. Long story short, we didn’t win the pony. I was of course heartbroken, but that game inspired my love of baseball that burns bright to this day. [Reading concourse]( FirstEnergy (née Municipal) has become a soothing tonic as the decades have rolled by. I was born and raised only about 10 miles from the venue, and even though I’m now living in a neighboring county, I try to attend several games a year. I’ve also faithfully sponsored a group outing for Opening Night over the past 33 seasons. The guys are scattered over the eastern part of PA (and some are now retired). However, we all can’t wait for April so we can enjoy our annual rite of Spring.  Most of all though, it’s the memories that make it so enjoyable to me. Seeing Schmidt, Boone and Bowa in those early years with my dad. And now I’m still sitting in those seats to witness Alec Bohm and Arron Nola on the field long after Dad’s passing.  To me, it will always be a magical place…  Yours in Baseball, Peter A. Chiarelli  [READ THE READING FIGHTIN PHILS BALLPARK GUIDE HERE]( Want to contribute a recollection of your first game? Have a question about Minor League Baseball? For the remainder of the offseason I’ll dedicate more space to you, the reader. Stay tuned, and get in touch: benjamin.hill@mlb.com.   [IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE INTERESTED IN RECEIVING THIS NEWSLETTER, TELL THEM TO SUBSCRIBE HERE](   Contact [Benjamin Hill](mailto:benjamin.hill@mlb.com) [Twitter]( Online]( © 2023 MLB Advanced Media, L.P. MLB trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League Baseball. [Visit MLB.com](. Any other marks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners. Subscription required. Blackout and other restrictions may apply. Please review our [Privacy Policy](. You ({EMAIL}) received this message because you registered to receive commercial email messages or purchased a ticket from [MiLB.com](. 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