'World Series of Costumes' a treat for kids
Watch Game 3 of World Series on FOX to see winners
It is a time for families, social mingling on every block, parties galore, "boo" and a few unexpected thrills and chills. You wait for it every year and then hope the weather holds up. It is John "Candy Man" Candelaria outdueling Jim Palmer on the way to the Pirates' last World Series title in 1979, Candy Maldonado losing with the Giants in 1989 and winning the Blue Jays in 1992, and candy for children.
It is Babe Ruth touching every bag, and a Baby Ruth in every bag.
MLB.com/Halloween is here as a special treat in 2010, because this is also when we dress the part. Major League Baseball's "World Series of Costumes" allowed fans to uploaded pictures of their kids (12 and under) in their costumes and then let visitors to the photo galleries vote through social networking. In Game 3 on Saturday, FOX will show the three best pictures to a worldwide viewing audience.
Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest of the FOX's "American Idol" will act as celebrity judges to help to determine the winners.
Game 3 is set for a 6:30 p.m. ET start at Rangers Ballpark, the earliest World Series game since Game 6 of the 1987 World Series at Minnesota. The appropriately orange-and-black clad Giants will be the road team. You, too, can get into the Halloween spirit by seeing whose costumes will be the big winners.
"The 'World Series of Costumes' will provide an additional World Series element for families to enjoy as they gather around the television to enjoy the excitement of Game 3 and its earlier start time," said Jacqueline Parkes, chief marketing officer, Major League Baseball.
"We're excited to partner with MLB on this fun family competition that is sure to add a festive spark to the World Series," said FOX Sports president Eric Shanks. "American Idol's Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest have worked with some of the most creative personalities in America and know what it takes to stand out in the crowd. There aren't two better people to help pick the World Series Halloween Costume superstars."
You're going to see a lot of little Lady Gagas ringing your doorbell this year. There will be the Jersey Shore look, vampires, Woody and Buzz, Michael Jackson, Iron Man, Disney princesses, full "Glee" casts, Spiderman and Star Wars characters. There will be the usual ghosts and goblins. You'll see it all -- and the World Series of Costumes will be the best way to see it.
"The 'World Series of Costumes' pairs two great October traditions, postseason baseball and Halloween, making it easy to share the spirit of each with families, friends and an enthusiastic, massive audience," said Dinn Mann, executive vice president, content, MLB.com.
In addition to the three who are recognized for the coolest Halloween look of 2010, six runnersup will win a cap of their choice from the MLB.com Shop. Then, watch the most traditional of all major sporting events and trick-or-treat the next night away.
You never know what to expect in October. There will be heroes and goats, but who will they be? There will be bags and candy bars galore, but which will it be? There will be countless kids in their costumes in the "World Series of Costumes," but who will be the three winners?