Okay… I will admit that I am not a big fan of change. Although it should be done a time or two just for fun, I normally see no reason to jump from a perfectly good airplane.
It is no secret that I am a HUGE fan of amateur baseball and thusly, a HUGE fan of the Wisconsin Woodchucks. Last night was their home opener. After being spanked in Madison 8-1 on Wednesday, we faired better against them last night, although still losing 3-2.
This year there are many changes to the Woodchucks. The logo changed, the uniform changed, and of course the lovable mascot, Woodrow T. Woodchuck (better known as “Woody”) went through some major off-season transformations as well.
A few years ago there were some pretty big changes. The green uniforms went to more of a tan, and Woody bulked up, losing his green uniform for a tan one as well, and adding some muscle tone. He became a ball playing, home-run hitting woodchuck.
The logo changed this year quite dramatically. Although I admittedly like the old one better, I think over time the new one will end up growing on me. The uniform also changed and again I am not a fan. But to be honest, white uniforms with pin stripes has some history in the baseball world so I can understand how the new duds will appeal to many people. Again, I am sure it will grow on me.
Woody…. Woody is another issue. All I can say is….. what were they thinking? Seriously!
I wish I had some before and after pictures to add to this blog post, and in looking at the Woodchucks website, I don’t immediately see old or new pictures of him… but over the off season, he had some Michael Jackson-esque plastic surgery done to his head and face and I think the entire off season was spent on the couch, eating chips, watching Sportscenter.
HE’S HUGE… and not in a good way. Muscular, ball playing Woody is now overweight, bowling ball round Woody. How is this an improvement? Really? Tell me!! I need to know.
For those who have seen new Woody and old Woody, we need a fan vote.. a facebook page… something… we need to see if we agree with each other on this one. In talking with the 10-15 people that I sit around in the season ticket holder section, no one thought the new Woody was an improvement. We even had three Madison Mallard fans sitting with us who we offered to send the new Woody home with. They wouldn’t even take him unless we agreed to throw in a couple of beers and a chili dog.
The old Woody was fun. He was able to do some pretty good dances and this worm move. He was active and interactive. From time to time a little kid might be scared of the nearly 7’ tall woodchuck, but for the most part he was a fan favorite and a kid favorite. Part of what made the games fun was Woody and his interaction with the crowd and the kids.
Not the case so far. He is huge… more overweight than me, like I said – bowling ball round. Dancing isn’t going to happen, because to be honest walking is an issue. It is actually more of a waddle than a walk and not once but twice I saw him go feet first down some steps because of the size of his feet and the size of his belly not allowing him to see where his feet are on the steps.
Plus, let’s take a look at the example this sets for the kids: an athletic, muscular mascot who is fit and ready to play ball; or an over-weight couch potato that is not going to make it the entire game once the June and July temperatures get here.
Don’t even get me started about his new head, it just looks bizarre. And, it is scary. Every now and then a young child might get scared by old Woody… but new Woody even freaked out some of the adults. Holy Crap!
So.. the new logo I can get used to… the new uniforms will grow on me.. but please.. dear god… see if old Woody is willing to come back from retirement and take is old job back.
PLEASE????????
