Young fans of the Mud Hens are eligible for some special perks if they join Muddy’s Buddies Kids Club.
The popular, free program draws in about 2,000 kids every season, said Emily Croll, special events coordinator for the Mud Hens.
“Muddy’s Buddies has turned into a ballpark staple for sure,” she said. “We even get requests from Connecticut, the East Coast, the south. We get requests from kids all over, not just kids at the games.”
Perks include $1 off kids’ tickets to Monday and Tuesday games, a free prize upon signing up at guest services, opportunities for autographs and chances to run the bases.
McDonald’s, a sponsor, offers members three free Hamburger Happy Meals with the purchase of one extra Value Meal or Premium entree salad.
The Muddy’s Buddies membership also gives families 10 percent off select gear at the swamp shop, which parents love, Croll said.
“Nothing’s better than getting their kid a prize and being able to go and get something for cheaper,” she said. Club members can also attend an open field day.
In the past, the program has been more of a skills clinic, but is now moving toward a different structure.
“This year, we are changing it to more of a field day,” Croll said. “We are just trying to get people not to be like, ‘Oh, it’s a baseball camp, I don’t want to take my kids there.’”
The date for the field day is still to be decided.
Other events are also in the works, Croll said.
Children are important to both the Mud Hens and the Walleye, Toledo’s hockey team, but while children get involved with the Walleye, it isn’t at the same level as with the Mud Hens, Croll said.
That could be because it’s easier to get children involved in the summer and the fact that the Huntington Center isn’t the team’s own facility so it’s harder to do events there, she said.
“Kids are just a huge part of [the Mud Hens],” Croll said. “We’re always looking for new ways to get kids involved and get them on the field and to meet players.”
Mud Hens players can also serve as good role models for the children.
“It’s just a very positive environment. A lot of players who come to these events have gotten here because they’ve made the right decisions along the way, they’ve done things and they’ve worked hard,” Croll said.
To join, children must pledge: “As an official Member of the Muddy’s Buddies Kids Club, I pledge to uphold the highest standards of honesty, fairness and good DANCING as demonstrated by Muddy the Mud Hen. I further pledge to remain a lifelong Mud Hens fan.”
Children age 12 and younger can join Muddy’s Buddies. Registration is free.
Parents can sign their children up for Muddy’s Buddies at guest services at Fifth Third Field, select McDonald’s restaruant locations in the Toledo area or online at www.mudhens.com under the listing for “Fan Center.”
