• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 5, 2025

Sweet Social Media Success for Hartford Yard Goats

Rovell gains on the hot coffee. (Photo via Hartford Yard Goats)

Ah, minor league baseball…

It’s a late summer evening and the sun has yet to set, instead settling nicely behind the ballpark’s grandstands. You’ve had a hotdog, but you’re in the mood for something sweet as you watch the middle innings cruise on in front of you.

A donut, perhaps? Or maybe you’ve got a hankering for the summertime classic: ice cream. Ever heard of a fried banana? Friends of mine say they’re tasty.

If you were stuck with this difficult decision and you happened to be at Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford, Connecticut last Tuesday, the Yard Goats had a solution for you.

A delightfully ridiculous sandwich, the likes of which exist nowhere but in MiLB.

“Brass Bananas” in all its glory. (Photo via Hartford Yard Goats)

How did we get here? It began with an idea for a contest via social media: ask the fans of the Yard Goats to submit a ‘Goat Food’ suggestion for a new concession item, inspired by the team’s mascot and the local community.

Darren Rovell, ESPN’s notable sports business commentator, who also happens that to be somewhat of a connoisseur when it comes to ballpark food, would then review the suggestions and decide which one he liked best.

Unique was good, edible was better.

Dana Feigenbaum, Hartford’s promotions manager, was the creative mind behind the contest and promotion. We caught up with her to see how it all went down.

“We wanted to do something to do with social media, and something to do with food,” Feigenbaum said. “Well, why not do both?”

With Rovell’s reach on social media buoyed by nearly two million followers, submissions came from far and wide. Most of them consisted of piling typical concession fare on top of one another. Weird, but not necessarily unique.

“When we were looking for a winner, we wanted to tie in Dunkin’ Donuts as well as the Yard Goats,” Feigenbaum said. “We also wanted it to be something crazy, not just something you can get at any other ballpark.”

The team announced the promotion on August 2nd, giving fans two days to submit crazy concoctions via Twitter using the #goatfood.

On August 4th, Rovell chose Twitter user Owen Fisher’s creation as the winner. The idea? Sliced glazed donuts with ‘Rockies’ road ice cream, fried goat cheese, and a grilled banana.

The Yard Goats aptly named it the ‘Brass Bananas.’

Feigenbaum was happy to see a submission that hit the mark with the homage to the home park, the subtle nod to the Colorado Rockies (the Yard Goats MLB affiliate) and the local community.

This was more than just a fun promotion to sell some weird food — it was about deepening the bond between the city of Hartford and the Yard Goats. It hasn’t been the most seamless transition for the club or the city, as the opening of the stadium was delayed for more than a year due to budget overruns and other delays.

Now, though, things are rocking.

“It is awesome,” Feigenbaum said of evenings at the ballpark. “We sell out nearly every weekend. We get standing room only nearly every weekend. The fans have never lost faith in us. Our manager said he’s seen ballparks packed, but never an atmosphere like this.”

“It gets LOUD,” she added, with emphasis. “I’ll be going out to the city to get something to eat after the game, and everyone in downtown Hartford is in Yard Goats gear.”

Dana (left) and Darren after a successful social media promotion. (Photo via Hartford Yard Goats)

If you missed Tuesday’s game, however, you (likely) missed your chance at ‘Brass Bananas.’ Not to worry, though, the DDBLT is a worthy substitute and is available all season long. Just in case you wanted two Dunkin’ donuts with your bacon, lettuce, and tomato.

Moving forward, the Yard Goats are in great hands. The city is embracing them and the team’s presence both in the community and on social media is inclusive and vibrant.

From the fans to the fare, there’s nothing quite like minor league baseball.

 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
Jul 2, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) heads to the dugout prior to the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium.

MLB Changes Are ‘Showing Great Results’: Former CFO

Big stars playing in major markets “make a real difference.”
Jun 9, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Luis Ortiz (45) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field.

Guardians Pitcher Luis Ortiz Put on Paid Leave Amid MLB Probe

Reports say the investigation is tied to gambling.
Ohio State

Collectives Funnel $20 Million to College Athletes on Last Day Before Revenue..

Collectives frontloaded payments just before the revenue sharing era begins July 1.

Featured Today

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
June 29, 2025

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.

What Rolapp’s NFL Exit Means—and the Top Candidates to Replace Him

NFL media boss Brian Rolapp leaves; the league hunts for his replacement.
May 23, 2025

New LPGA Commissioner: Women’s Golf ‘Really Hard’ to Find on TV

Former PGA of America COO Craig Kessler will lead the tour.
Gabby Thomas
exclusive
June 12, 2025

Grand Slam Track Cancels Los Angeles Meet As $30 Million Track Start-Up..

Sources close to Grand Slam insist money is not an issue.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Donald Trump, Nick Saban
May 22, 2025

Proposed Trump College Sports Commission May Never Happen

The White House is not sure of its plans.
May 15, 2025

PGA Championship Tees Off With Free Food, Record Hospitality Sales

General admission includes unlimited food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Jun 12, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; St. Louis Blues center Ivan Barbashev (49) and right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the Boston Bruins in game seven of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden
May 15, 2025

The 10 Biggest Stanley Cup Upsets of All Time

Since the 1984–1985 NHL season, 10 squads have defied the odds.
Allyson Felix
May 1, 2025

Allyson Felix on Olympic Pay, Nike, and Track’s Big-Money Era

Felix talked to FOS about her push to help Olympic parents and more.