Want your own bobblehead? Baseball franchises offer '15 minutes of fame'

Two baseball teams are giving a couple of fans a chance to root, root, root for... themselves.

The Battle Creek Bombers and Kalamazoo Growlers, members of the summer collegiate Northwoods League, announced a joint promotion Monday that will see each team temporarily renamed after a fan, including a bobblehead in their likeness, as part of "15 Minutes of Fame Night."

“We talked about how can we get our fans more involved and what can we do for the fans, and it was literally, 'Let's name the team after them. What the heck else can you do after that?'" said Brian Colopy, managing partner for the Bombers and Growlers. "I think we take pride in these crazy promotions and doing things that sometimes will push the envelope... It's exciting. It's never been done before."

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Fans must first send submissions to the Bombers' and Growlers' websites by Feb. 9, explaining why the team should be renamed in their honor. Then the team's respective social media sites will pit two contest finalists from each team against one another, with an online vote deciding the "15 Minutes of Fame" winners.

The teams will square off under their temporary names on June 1 in Kalamazoo and June 2 in Battle Creek. Along with having their own bobblehead, the winning fans will have special jerseys and hats with their face and likeness worn by the players.

"Just when you think we can’t go any weirder, our staff comes up with this," Colopy said. "I can’t wait to see these uniforms."

Nick Buckley can be reached at nbuckley@battlecreekenquirer.com or 269-966-0652. Follow him on Twitter:@NickJBuckley