<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=603 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=431>[SIZE=+0]<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=431 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=335>[SIZE=+2]Beer bounce!
[/SIZE]Northern League pitcher Nigel Thatch dealt for 60 cases of Bud By SCOTT ZERR -- Edmonton Sun
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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Traded for beer.
That ranks right up there with swapped for a bag of pucks.
The Northern League has developed a reputation for off-the-wall promotions and stunts - including setting the record for fewest fans at a game and a pig bringing water to umpires.
But this may be the topper.
The Schaumberg Flyers of the Northern League recently traded pitcher Nigel Thatch to the Fullerton Flyers of the Golden League.
In return, the California club surrendered a pallet (60 cases) of Budweiser beer.
Although Thatch appeared in seven games for Schaumberg last season, he is most recognized in the U.S. for portraying the character "Leon" in a series of Budweiser TV commercials.
"It is a real trade, but it is a unique situation," said Garrett Gosselink, the Northern League's vice-president of operations.
"Nigel will get to play closer to L.A. to pursue his acting career. Schaumberg tried to take advantage of his market value and it worked very well. Now another team is going to take advantage of it again."
Thatch's stint in Schaumberg - a suburb of Chicago - drew interest from across America despite his modest talents and 0-3 record on the mound.
The trade works out well for Thatch as he tries to land more prominent roles.
And apparently the Flyers are happy about the move too.
"In the true spirit of 'Leon Time,' we'll have a cold one courtesy of Fullerton and thank Nigel for his time here," said Schaumberg president Rich Ehrenreich in a statement.
The Edmonton Cracker-Cats and their triple-A predecessors, the Trappers, were never involved in a deal similar to the Thatch trade.
But veteran Cats broadcaster and vice-president Al Coates has heard of some other bizzare deals.
"I remember in the WHA a guy got traded for a bus, and Eddie Shore, when he was in Springfield, traded someone for a set of nets," said Coates.
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[/SIZE]Northern League pitcher Nigel Thatch dealt for 60 cases of Bud By SCOTT ZERR -- Edmonton Sun
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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Traded for beer.
That ranks right up there with swapped for a bag of pucks.
The Northern League has developed a reputation for off-the-wall promotions and stunts - including setting the record for fewest fans at a game and a pig bringing water to umpires.
But this may be the topper.
The Schaumberg Flyers of the Northern League recently traded pitcher Nigel Thatch to the Fullerton Flyers of the Golden League.
In return, the California club surrendered a pallet (60 cases) of Budweiser beer.
Although Thatch appeared in seven games for Schaumberg last season, he is most recognized in the U.S. for portraying the character "Leon" in a series of Budweiser TV commercials.
"It is a real trade, but it is a unique situation," said Garrett Gosselink, the Northern League's vice-president of operations.
"Nigel will get to play closer to L.A. to pursue his acting career. Schaumberg tried to take advantage of his market value and it worked very well. Now another team is going to take advantage of it again."
Thatch's stint in Schaumberg - a suburb of Chicago - drew interest from across America despite his modest talents and 0-3 record on the mound.
The trade works out well for Thatch as he tries to land more prominent roles.
And apparently the Flyers are happy about the move too.
"In the true spirit of 'Leon Time,' we'll have a cold one courtesy of Fullerton and thank Nigel for his time here," said Schaumberg president Rich Ehrenreich in a statement.
The Edmonton Cracker-Cats and their triple-A predecessors, the Trappers, were never involved in a deal similar to the Thatch trade.
But veteran Cats broadcaster and vice-president Al Coates has heard of some other bizzare deals.
"I remember in the WHA a guy got traded for a bus, and Eddie Shore, when he was in Springfield, traded someone for a set of nets," said Coates.
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