Returning Senior Slugger Program a Hit
The Senior Slugger program is back for the second-straight year at Wild Things Park, as the Washington Wild Things will be offering free admission and $1 hot dogs to all fans over the age of 50 at every Wednesday home game this season, presented by AARP Pennsylvania. The dollar dogs are presented by Berk's.
Washington’s general manager Tony Buccilli is thrilled for the program to return this season and he values how it benefits the team... especially how it can revive good memories for older, long-time fans.
“For us it’s always about engaging new demographics and growing the fanbase," said Buccilli. "So we talked about knowing that in midweeks we had to focus on an older demographic and a closer demographic based on travel distance, and we jumped all in."
He continued, “The over 50 [years old] demographic grew up loving baseball, baseball was their primary sport. So to give them the opportunity to come to the ballpark free of charge with $1 hot dogs: they genuinely enjoy it and the relationships they build last a lifetime."
The Senior Slugger program can provide a cultural blast from the past for older fans at the ballpark and Buccilli thinks this is one of the best qualities of the program.
“The biggest thing that they like is the music shift. Historically, you talk to anyone, music triggers memories and it triggers things of your past,” Buccilli said. “We have people here over 60, 70 or 80 years old and to play music from the 1960s or 1970s, it allows them to enjoy the ballpark a little bit differently than our traditional high-energy, dance type of new-age music.”
Fans at the ballpark for Washington’s win over the New York Boulders on Wednesday said they appreciate the program and that it motivates them to attend. One fan, named Glen, said the program influenced his friends to attend Wednesday’s matchup alongside him.
“I think it's a great idea. Myself and several of my friends will be at the game tonight because of the program,” he said.
Another excited fan, named Philip, connected the program with his love for baseball and the opportunities that Senior Slugger gives them to attend Wild Things’ games at a lower cost.
“It sounds like a great deal, not only because of the cost-saving, but because we get to see a great game. It sounds like they’re going to do other promotions which are just super... it gets the people to come down and come back,” he said. "I think it’s a great idea to bring in a crowd of people that like to watch baseball but sometimes it doesn't fit into their budget every week."
The Senior Slugger program will take place at every Wednesday home game this season, so make sure to stop by Wild Things Park and also check out our season-long promotional schedule on washingtonwildthings.com.
