Batter up! The Hartford Yard Goats have stepped up to the plate in Minor League Baseball. The Yard Goats currently play in the Eastern League and are an affiliate team of the Colorado Rockies. In 2015, the team relocated to Hartford, Connecticut. Right off the bat, they began rebranding their team to tie with Hartford’s rich railroad history by changing the team’s name from the New Britain Rod Cats to the Hartford Yard Goats. They also drafted their MVPs- team mascots Chompers and Chew Chew!
While drafting their baseball mascots, the Hartford Yard Goats wanted to “Embrace the Goat.” Their first mascot, Chompers, was sure to cover the bases. Chompers the Goat is one of the only goat mascots in Minor League Baseball, which makes him popular. Chompers was doing many community appearances and needed some additional support in the outfield. So, the Yard Goats created their second goat mascot, Chew Chew. Together, Chompers and Chew Chew serve as the Yard Goats beloved team mascots.
To name the baseball mascots, fans pitched over 1,500 names in an online contest. The name of “Chompers” was chosen due to the goat’s toothy grin. To incorporate Hartford’s railroad history, “Chew Chew” was chosen to mimic a train nose.
Did you know that goats could sing? At every Hartford Yard Goats game, Chompers and Chew Chew help sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” Chompers and Chew Chew play a major role in creating the ideal Yard Goats gameday experience from first base to home plate. At the beginning of each game, the goat mascots are announced in the starting lineup alongside the baseball players. Up until the 8th Inning, Chompers and Chew Chew can be found up in the concourse interacting with fans.
Chompers and Chew Chew have hit a home run when it comes to national television appearances! The Yard Goats’ Dunkin’ Donuts Park is 18 miles from ESPN studios. ESPN regularly contacts the Yard Goats and commonly uses the goat mascots in shoots and commercials. Back in 2015, Al Roker did a “Rokerthon” with 36 goats across the country. Watch Chomper and Chew Chew’s national debut on the Today Show!
The Hartford Yard Goats mascots are constantly making an impact in the community. Chompers and Chew Chew visit patients in hospitals, read to kids, go to libraries, and even pop in on Zoom calls. The baseball team mascots are requested for 8-10 appearances every week and help fans celebrate anything from birthdays to weddings.
Chompers and Chew Chew are active on the Hartford Yard Goats social media. They make frequent appearances on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Although, social media isn’t the only pasture you can spot the goats in. In the Yard Goats team store, they have themed face masks, stuffed animals, and t-shirts based off Chompers and Chew Chew.
Take advantage of mascot accessories! Chompers and Chew Chew utilize props such as capes and over-sized baseball gloves. The Yard Goats incorporate their game theme nights with their mascot outfits.
Make sure you are purchasing a quality mascot costume. Your mascot exhibits your team brand and image- quality function and design is important.
Kids love mascots! If you want to get younger fans excited, a mascot is key. Chompers and Chew Chew engage younger Yard Goats fans at home games and mascots appearance throughout the year.
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