The Dayton Gems professional hockey team, proud members of the Central Hockey League, are excited to announce that the team’s lone preseason exhibition game on Cassano’s Italian Ice at Hara Arena will be “Salute to Steve Bartman Night” when the team hosts division rival Fort Wayne Komets on Friday, October 14 at 7pm. In honor of Bartman, and his infamous foul ball grab which arguably set off the biggest professional sports controversy in the past decade, the Dayton Gems will salute him and his rather unfortunate distinction by offering Bartman a free ticket to the game, to be left for him at the Hara box office, to celebrate the eighth anniversary of his notoriety.I take it that the promotions director watched "Catching Hell," and a light bulb went off. Hey, leave this guy a ticket to a crappy minor league hockey game in Dayton, Ohio, we get a bunch of publicity, and it won't even cost us a ticket. Instead of warning fans not to reach over the glass for pucks, they ought to have a contest where all the people who got in free by dressing like Bartman, try to catch a shot puck with their baseball glove.
In addition, any fans dressed as Steve Bartman, complete with Cubs hat, green turtleneck and wearing headphones, will also receive one free admission to the game. Gems team president Joe Greene spearheaded the idea, noting “while our staff will be dressed like Steve, and there will be baseball and Bartman themed contests and promotions going on throughout the night, we would like to remind our fans to refrain from reaching over the glass for stray pucks.” The team will also offer prizes and special recognition for the best dressed “Bartman” lookalikes in attendance.
Anyway, let it die. The guy has no connection to Dayton or hockey, and other than the documentary on ESPN, there is no reason to commemorate the 8th anniversary of the event. If Alex Gonzales wouldn't have booted the ball later, Bartman wouldn't even be remembered. But, it is minor league hockey, so publicity is publicity.
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