An episode of Jeopardy! that aired this past February featured the following clue:
In late Spring, Congaree National Park in South Carolina is famous for its nightly display of synchronized these?
The correct response is fireflies, as any fan of Kansas City's Single-A affiliate would know. The Columbia Fireflies, established in 2017, are named in honor of this annual local phenomenon.
None of that evening's Jeopardy! contestants were Minor League Baseball fans, apparently. No one answered correctly, and one of the attempts was comically wrong.
"What are hippos?" guessed a contestant named Lauren.
"No," replied host Ken Jennings. "Boy, I would love to see synchronized hippos, though."
The Fireflies are making Jennings' wish come true, as they'll transform into the Synchronized Hippos for Aug. 20's game against the Augusta GreenJackets. The jerseys, which will be auctioned off after the game to benefit Congaree National Park, feature a quartet of dayglo hippos doing a synchronized dance.
The Fireflies claim that the evening will feature "the largest synchronization of hippopotamuses ever assembled at a professional baseball game! We checked, the record is surprisingly attainable."
To find out what, exactly, a synchronized hippo world record might entail you'll have to attend Aug. 20's game. The Fireflies are inviting "Trivia fiends, synchronized dancers and swimmers and those looking for affordable family fun" to attend. Who knows? Maybe Ken Jennings will be there as well. He's on record as saying synchronized hippos are something he'd love to see, and this just may be his only chance.