Abigail Moreira
Lowell Spinners Case
April 2011
Prof. Ahn
In this article “Lowell Spinners Enter Fifth Year Yankee Elimination Program” it discuss how in little leagues across the New England area eliminates the Yankee Pin Stripes. For five years now, little league teams are named after major league teams such as, the Red Sox, Dodgers, Tigers, and even the Cubs, yet the Yankees have not had a chance for their names on young children playing the game of baseball. The Yankee Elimination Program was, “Originally developed as a response to the heartbreak and ridicule which children of New England assigned to Yankees youth baseball and softball teams face, the Y.E.P. has eliminated over 150 Yankees teams since 2006, replacing hem with Spinners teams.” All of the teams that were supposed to be Yankees are now the Lowell Spinners where they play in free uniforms and equipment for the teams. This marketing for the Spinners is a complete bonus for parents and children combined. Reading the article I at first was a little confused on why they would eliminate the Yankees from little league. But then thinking about it more and more it became more interesting than anything. Children in the New England area are typically brought up to despise the Yankees as a team in general. Yet with the living in Red Sox Nation, it in a way could make then feel better that they are playing with the name Lowell Spinners, which is an affiliate of the Red Sox. Now personally I have been to some Lowell Spinners games and it was a blast. A complete family environment with entertainment inside and outside the stadium. This is also beneficial as a marketing standpoint because they are making it kid friendly, yet entertaining for adults as well. Parents will want to go to games with their children, and with the free uniforms and equipment that the little league teams get, will be even more attractive for the Y.E.P. program. I agreed mainly with the authors points, and how he used specific facts on the Spinners. As a Sports Illustrated receiver, I have even seen articles in there about how the Lowell Spinners are getting involved with baseball, but not just for their benefits, but benefits for young children playing and
