In a rival team's Article Published This Week, the Hawaii Tropics accused Portland Lumberjacks fans of hijacking the scoreboard to display images of newly employed Sandy Mounds, the Portland Assistant General Manager, on the jumbotron in the outfield. The scoreboard incident, that occurred in the 8th inning in Hawaii, sparked a Portland rally and eventual win over the Tropics. Always looking for a way to build the fanbase, it has led to a new tradition in Portland.
"Rally Mounds will begin next week" commented AGM Sandy "Paige" Mounds. "At every home game through this season, between the top and the bottom half of the 8th inning, we will call it the 'Rally Mounds' inning. We were going to do the 7th inning but figured that inning is already tied up by traditions. You know, singing 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame' and all that jazz. So we figured we'd do it in the bottom half of the 8th inning when our boys were coming up to bat."
So what does "Rally Mounds" entail?
"Ah, just a little video montage of your's truly. A little something to work the crowd into a frenzy, maybe distract the other team, get them off their game. In the end, hopefully something to drive home the victory for the good guys."
Portland is currently 17-4 at home games at the Trail in Multnomah. Some wonder why the club would even consider diverting from what's worked all season.
"We could be better" added Mounds. "And again, we want to make games as exciting and entertaining for our fans as possible. This will only spur more interest."
Area businesses have joined forces with the "Rally Mounds" initiative. Barrel Brewing in Portland is offering $1 off all beer the day following a Portland home win. If the team comes from behind or breaks a tie in the 8th inning or later, all beer will be half off the following day. Portland Country Club is offering discounted rounds of golf on weekdays following Portland victories and Spyce NightClub, Sandy's previous "employer", is offering free appetizers the night of Portland come from behind victories.
The "Rally Mounds" inning will be introduced Sunday Night when the Lumberjacks welcome their first Heartland opponent of the season to Portland, the Omaha Cyclones.