The rookie advanced level Pioneer League Ogden Raptors are "pushing the boundaries of ballpark promotions," according to Nick Parker of the SALT LAKE TRIBUNE. The team announced "'Hourglass Appreciation Night' with allusions to women's bodies and a promise that Salt Lake City-based Stars Talent Studio will 'provide a different stunner each half-inning" for its Aug. 11 game. The team "removed the news release" about half an hour after a story was published by the Salt Lake Tribune. The Raptors are a minor league affiliate of the Dodgers (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 6/6). SI.com's Dan Gartland notes the "alleged intention of the promotion is to celebrate the fact that baseball is played without a clock" (SI.com, 6/6). But YAHOO SPORTS' Chris Cwik noted the press release "didn't mention 'women' or 'ladies' until the final paragraph." The words "thoroughbreds," "hourglass-shaped," "stunner" and "curves" were used to describe the women up to that point. Cwik: "We shouldn't have to explain why this is a terrible idea, right?" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/5). In Houston, Jenny Dial Creech writes the promotion is a "slap in the face to female baseball fans everywhere." Creech: "Come out and enjoy a game while we treat you like an object and completely objectify and sexualize you. ... Being a female who tirelessly supports sports can be exhausting when there always seems to be some unfortunate reminder that the sport you love will never take you seriously" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/6).
TWITTER REAX: The promotion was a hot topic on Twitter despite the Raptors being a relatively little-known club. MLB.com's Alyson Footer: "21 years ago I worked for several sexist, stupid people running a minor league team. Best of luck to you in the next few days, Ogden Raptors." Baseball Prospectus' Jessica Quiroli: "I've spent my whole career covering @MiLB working to create a better place for women. Shame on the @ogdenraptors." N.Y. Daily News' Kate Feldman: "Hire women. It's not that complicated. If you don't hire women, run this past a woman in your life. 'Hey, is this sexist?' She'll say yes!" Crain's Detroit Business' Bill Shea: "This is grossly tone deaf. I cannot believe someone OK'd this idea. Holy hell."Fanrag Sports' Jesse Spector: "If it's June, it must be the Ogden Raptors embarrassing themselves in the 21st century." Freelance baseball writer Britni de la Cretaz: "I see the @ogdenraptors have already removed their hourglass promotion. Too bad SCREENSHOTS ARE FOREVER." Blogger Megan Brown: "# of baseball terms used to creepily describe women is almost as disgusting as the entire premise."
