CHICAGO -- Across an auditorium, some of baseball’s most recognizable faces sit side by side, behind laptops and personalized name plates resting atop their workspaces. The MLB offseason is in full swing, and preparations are being made for 2024.
But important events and meetings this month are not limited to executives, agents and players. As they are preparing for next season, so are baseball’s mascots.
Last week, over a dozen of baseball’s fan favorites gathered in Chicago for the MLB Mascot Conference, a four-day event hosted by White Sox and Cubs mascots Southpaw and Clark the Cub. Joining them were Orbit (Astros), Barrelman (Brewers), Fredbird (Cardinals), Lou Seal (Giants), Mr. and Mrs. Met (Mets), The Oriole Bird (Orioles), Wally the Green Monster (Red Sox), Dinger (Rockies) and Sluggerrr (Royals).
Outside of All-Star weekend, mascots don’t cross paths often during baseball season. Southpaw and Clark’s excitement was especially palpable because this was the mascots’ first conference since 2019.
“Getting the opportunity to host this conference has been such a great experience,” the iconic crosstown duo wrote when reached by email. “We only get the opportunity to gather as a group once or twice a year.”
Fittingly, the conference opened with a trip to the Mascot Hall of Fame in nearby Whiting, Ind., and closed with Southpaw and Clark taking the group on a tour of famous Chicago locations. The mascots documented their journey with crossover photos and videos to remember the experience.
The rare opportunity together at the conference served as an important vehicle for the mascots to fine tune their craft.
Mascots are a key part of baseball’s entertainment experience. With their colorful attire, welcoming smiles and amusing skits, they connect existing fans to their favorite team and help welcome in new generations of fans to America’s pastime.
“As mascots, we want to make sure fans of all ages are entertained, but we take special pride in reaching our youngest fans in ways nobody else can,” Southpaw and Clark wrote by email. “For many, we are the reason they want to attend a baseball game, and by sharing our enthusiasm with them, we hope to create lifelong baseball fans -- at every level of the game.
“The next generation is the future, and as mascots we are really excited to be at the forefront of developing that future.”
That responsibility, of course, requires thorough preparation and planning for a months-long baseball season. During the conference, the mascots convened at Guaranteed Rate Field, home of the White Sox, for workshop sessions that included roundtable discussions, guest speakers and a costume company vendor presentation. The open-floor discussions were aimed at brainstorming best practices to connect with fans.
The mascots even shared their experiences from a unique 2023 season, the first featuring a pitch timer in MLB, and how they adjusted to best allocate their time on gameday.
Mascots also have obligations away from the ballpark, including appearances at team and community events. Within the workshops, they shared how they managed their schedules and how they stay sharp over a long season.
Southpaw and Clark wrote via email: “This opportunity allows us to share ideas to enhance everyone's performance, and it helps renew our commitment to making sure the next generation of baseball fans continues to be excited about coming out to the ballpark!”
Along with their time on the South Side, the mascots took the conference north to Wrigleyville for further meetings and collaborations. There, they also assisted in a charity event, helping pack Thanksgiving meals that were delivered to Chicago shelters.
This year’s conference included the mascots presenting end-of-year awards for the first time. Orbit was named Mascot of the Year, Lou Seal earned Video of the Year honors, Sluggerrr earned Most Creative Bit and the Mascot Leadership Award, and the Phillie Phanatic received the Community Impact Award.
A busy week is behind them, but the mascots’ preparations for 2024 and entertaining baseball fans are just beginning.