Allegheny Yinzers: The Altoona Curve’s Unique Tribute to Western Pennsylvania Culture

How did the Altoona Curve honor local culture with a special promotion. What inspired the creation of the Allegheny Yinzers alternate identity. How many games will feature the new uniforms.

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The Birth of the Allegheny Yinzers: A Tribute to Local Dialect

In a creative nod to regional culture, the Altoona Curve, a Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, unveiled plans to play select games as the Allegheny Yinzers during the 2019 season. This unique promotional identity pays homage to the distinctive Western and Central Pennsylvania vernacular, specifically the use of “yinz” as a second-person plural pronoun.

The term “yinz,” a contraction of “you ones,” is deeply ingrained in the local dialect of the region, often referred to as “Pittsburghese.” By adopting this linguistic quirk as part of their alternate identity, the Curve demonstrates a commitment to celebrating the area’s cultural heritage and strengthening their connection with the local fan base.

Inspiration Behind the Allegheny Yinzers Concept

The idea for the Allegheny Yinzers originated from an unexpected source. Derek Martin, the Curve’s General Manager, found inspiration while watching a Pittsburgh Steelers game following a tragic event in the city. During the CBS broadcast, former Steelers coach Bill Cowher repeatedly used the term “Yinzer Nation” to describe the resilient Pittsburgh community.

Martin recalled, “After about the tenth time that Cowher said ‘Yinzer’, I knew we needed to do something revolving around Yinzers.” This moment of inspiration led to the creation of a unique promotional identity that sets the Curve apart from other minor league teams.

A Departure from Traditional Rebranding Trends

While many minor league teams opt for food-themed rebrands or temporary name changes, the Curve chose to focus on a linguistic and cultural aspect of their region. This decision showcases the team’s desire to create a meaningful connection with their fan base and pay tribute to the broader Western Pennsylvania community.

Unveiling the Allegheny Yinzers: Dates and Details

The Altoona Curve will don their Allegheny Yinzers uniforms for seven home games during the 2019 season. Fans can expect to see the new look on the following dates:

April 13
May 31
June 13
June 29
July 6
July 26
August 8

The inaugural appearance of the Allegheny Yinzers will take place on April 13, marking the first Saturday home game of the season. This strategic scheduling ensures that weekend crowds will have ample opportunity to experience and embrace the new identity.

The Allegheny Yinzers Uniform: A Unique Design

While specific details about the uniform design were not provided in the original article, it’s clear that the Allegheny Yinzers jerseys will be a one-of-a-kind addition to the team’s wardrobe. The uniforms are set to make their public debut on January 26, 2019, during PiratesFest at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, giving fans an early glimpse of the new look.

Local Partnership and Charitable Contribution

The Allegheny Yinzers jerseys for the 2019 season will be presented by Keller Engineers, showcasing a partnership with a local business. In a commendable move, the team plans to auction off the game-worn jerseys after the final promotional night on August 8. A portion of the proceeds from this auction will benefit the Roberto Clemente Foundation, further strengthening the team’s commitment to community involvement and charitable causes.

Embracing Local Roots: The Curve’s Connection to Western Pennsylvania

The Allegheny Yinzers promotion aligns perfectly with the Curve’s existing ties to Western Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. Michael Ryan, the team’s field manager and a Western Pennsylvania native, expressed enthusiasm for the new identity, exclaiming, “That is amazing. You know I’m a Yinzer!”

This local connection, combined with the team’s long-standing affiliation with the Pirates, creates an ideal backdrop for introducing the Yinzers concept. It reinforces the Curve’s role as a cultural ambassador for the region and strengthens their bond with the local community.

Beyond the Uniform: Enhancing the Fan Experience

The Allegheny Yinzers promotion extends beyond just a uniform change. The Curve organization plans to enhance these special game days by hosting various Pittsburgh celebrities. While specific names were not announced in the initial release, this additional element promises to create a more immersive and entertaining experience for fans attending Yinzers games.

Capitalizing on Regional Pride

By incorporating local celebrities and personalities into the Yinzers promotion, the Curve taps into the strong sense of regional pride that permeates Western Pennsylvania. This strategy has the potential to attract a broader audience and create memorable experiences that resonate with both die-hard baseball fans and casual spectators alike.

The Impact of Alternate Identities in Minor League Baseball

The Allegheny Yinzers promotion is part of a larger trend in Minor League Baseball, where teams temporarily rebrand or adopt alternate identities to generate excitement and connect with their communities. These initiatives often lead to increased merchandise sales, higher attendance, and enhanced media coverage.

Standing Out in a Crowded Field

With many teams opting for food-themed rebrands, the Curve’s decision to focus on local dialect and culture sets them apart in the competitive minor league landscape. This unique approach demonstrates creativity and a deep understanding of their market, potentially serving as a model for other teams looking to create meaningful, locally-inspired promotions.

Looking Ahead: The Future of the Allegheny Yinzers

While the initial announcement covers the 2019 season, the success of the Allegheny Yinzers promotion could pave the way for its continuation in future seasons. The reception from fans, merchandise sales, and overall impact on the team’s brand will likely influence decisions about the long-term viability of this alternate identity.

Potential for Expansion and Evolution

If well-received, the Yinzers concept could evolve beyond just a uniform change. Future iterations might include themed concessions, expanded merchandise lines, or even community outreach programs centered around local culture and dialect preservation.

The Allegheny Yinzers promotion represents a creative and culturally-sensitive approach to minor league baseball marketing. By celebrating local language and traditions, the Altoona Curve has created a unique identity that resonates with their community while standing out in the broader baseball landscape. As the 2019 season unfolds, it will be interesting to see how fans and the wider baseball community respond to this innovative tribute to Western Pennsylvania culture.

Curve to Play as Allegheny Yinzers For Select Games

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By Ballpark Digest Editors on January 22, 2019 in Minor-League Baseball

As part of a new promotion, the Altoona Curve (Class AA; Eastern League) will play as the Allegheny Yinzers for seven home games during the 2019 season.

On select weekend home games at Peoples Natural Gas Field, the Curve will take the field as the Allegheny Yinzers. The new identity is a tribute to the familiar second-person plural pronoun “yinz” that is commonly used by people of Western and Central Pennsylvania.

These one-of-a-kind alternate uniforms will be on display for the first time on Saturday, January 26 during PiratesFest at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

“One of the trends in Minor League Baseball over the last few years have been changing team names or rebranding for a period of time that ties into the market,” said Curve General Manager Derek Martin. “Most teams have changed their names to food items and I wanted to be different.

“When I was watching the Steelers game the day after the tragic shooting in Pittsburgh, Bill Cowher talked on the CBS broadcast about how Pittsburgh is a tough community and everyone would come together because we are “Yinzer Nation”. After about the tenth time that Cowher said ‘Yinzer’, I knew we needed to do something revolving around Yinzers.”

Martin expects third-year field manager Michael Ryan to be particularly invested in the uniforms that will be worn for 10 percent of the team’s home games in 2019.

“When I first threw out the idea to Michael,” Martin said, “he said, ‘That is amazing. You know I’m a Yinzer!’

“With Michael coming back this year as a Western Pa. native and a Pittsburgh resident, our longstanding relationship with the Pirates, I thought this is the perfect time to launch this promotion.”

The first time the Curve take the field as the Yinzers will be Saturday, April 13, the first Saturday home game of the season. The unique Yinzers jerseys, presented by Keller Engineers for the 2019 campaign, will be auctioned off after the final night of the promotion on Thursday, August 8. A portion of the proceeds from the jersey auction will benefit the Roberto Clemente Foundation.

All seven dates for the Allegheny Yinzers uniforms include: April 13, May 31, June 13, June 29, July 6, July 26 and August 8. To bring those promotional nights to life, the Curve will also host various Pittsburgh celebrities that will be announced with the full promotional calendar at a later date.

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