In Syracuse, Lindsay Kramer notes the Triple-A Int'l League Syracuse Chiefs rebranded themselves as the Salt Potatoes for Saturday's game against the Rochester Red Wings, and merchandise with the temporary moniker "flew off the shelves." Salt Potatoes items accounted for 78.8% "of overall merchandise" sales Saturday, while sales "totaled about the same amount the Chiefs made in 15 home dates in May" (Syracuse POST-STANDARD, 8/8).
TIM BITS: The AP noted the Single-A Florida State League St. Lucie Mets have "already set a single-season home attendance record with about a month left to play," due in large part to Tim Tebow's presence on the roster. The Mets on Friday set a new mark of 108,057, breaking the previous record of 105,379. The team is seeing close to a 50% jump in average attendance from '16, and "interest in Tebow is clearly a major factor" (AP, 8/7). Tebow joined the team in June after having a similar impact on attendance for the Single-A South Atlantic League Columbia Fireflies earlier this season (THE DAILY).
HELLO, MY NAME IS....: In California, James Williams notes the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario, the G-League affiliate of the L.A. Clippers, held their Tip-Off Party yesterday, and Ontario Mayor Paul Leon welcomed the team "with open arms." Agua Caliente Clippers President Heath Bennett said, "The turnout tonight has been outstanding. We really didn't know what to expect." The goal of the event was to "give the community an example of what a game night could look and feel like." Fans were able to "shoot a basketball on the home court and win raffle prizes such as season tickets ... and tickets to a WWE event" (INLAND VALLEY DAILY BULLETIN, 8/8).
