Wacko antics between innings — and food options — at San Jose Giants games keep fans entertained
SAN JOSE — When you come to a San Jose Giants game, you never know exactly what you’re going to see.
There are some things you can rely on: the smell of barbeque and churros wafting through the air, fresh-cut grass and virtually unmatched sightlines at the intimate, 83-year-old ballpark located on the corner of East Alma Avenue and Senter Road.
But between innings, the Giants pull out all the stops to entertain their fans.
Down in the California League – the San Jose Giants have been a low minor-league affiliate of the San Francisco Giants since 1988 – you’ll witness promotions one wouldn’t dream possible in the tony environs 50 miles to the north at Oracle Park.
“First and foremost, we are a community asset,” San Jose Giants assistant general manager Matt Alongi said. “And while we certainly have fans that visit our ballpark to watch baseball and see the future of the (San Francisco) Giants, whatever percentage it may be, it’s a majority of people that come to have a good family outing or a good outing with friends and family.
“So putting together a product on the field that represents that notion is of utmost importance to us.”
Racing the mascot around the bases, musical chairs and a wooden horse race (think scoreboard dot race, but using hobby horses and played out just beyond the outfield fence) have been staples between innings at Excite Ballpark, known until 2019 as Municipal Stadium, or simply “Muni.”
For the adults, there is the always popular Beer Batter promotion. Each game, a visiting player is designated the “beer batter.” If that player strikes out, beer is half off for the next 15 minutes.
One beloved between-innings promotion, however, remains on the bench.
The Smash for Cash, a staple for many seasons, involved a beat-up delivery truck that drove in from beyond the right-field fence to a spot in front of the first-base dugout. SJ Giants players, paired with fans picked at random, would then attempt to smash the truck’s headlights by throwing baseballs from a short distance.
Alongi said the promotion was junked in 2020 because it took too long.
“The pitch clock kind of did away with that,” he said. “The fact that we were breaking glass on a field with 90 seconds in between innings, it kind of just became unfeasible for us to be able to execute it day in and day out.
“We have since let that truck go to bed, if you will.”
Mid-inning promotions this season will include on-field blackjack, a water-balloon toss, the toilet-paper toss and the classic YMCA sing-along.
Other promotions that may make appearances from game to game include the golf chip shot contest, uniform race, tennis ball toss and cornhole toss.
And of course, there will be fireworks – lots and lots of fireworks. The Giants will launch pyrotechnics into the night sky 15 times this season, including the July 4 fireworks extravaganza presented by the Rotary Club of San Jose. This display also serves as the official City of San Jose fireworks show.
Theme nights this season include Salute to the Military, Star Wars, Christmas in July, Harry Potter, Margaritaville and Pride. Thirteen games will have giveaways such as bobbleheads, theme night giveaways, Giants apparel and headwear.
“Yes, you’re going to see balls and strikes and home runs and good plays,” Alongi said. “But hopefully, you’re also being entertained by what we’re putting on the field with fan inclusion, making them feel like they’re part of something fun and special.”
It’s all about making memories.
“All of these games, hopefully, are something that might seem funny,” Alongi said, “but I can tell you firsthand that they make people’s days and weeks every time it happens to them.”