Adam Papin/MDN The Hot Totties cheer on the Minot Hot Tots during Friday night’s game at Corbett Field.

There’s plenty of fun to be had at Corbett Field this weekend, as the Minot Hot Tots continue their current home stand with a four game series against the Eu Claire Express.

According to the Hot Tots, the fans have been doing just that, wholeheartedly embracing the new franchise. “It’s been really awesome,” said Monica Blake, Hot Tots’ general manager. “The support from the community has been amazing. With the sold out crowd opening night, and over 1,000 fans at multiple games since then, we’re super excited.”

The Hot Tots are excited to see how the crowds are during weekend games. “We haven’t had a weekend game yet, so we know that it may not be a busy weekend with people going to the lake and everything like that. But we are excited to see what fans come out, and we have lot of fun stuff going on.”

Blake added that the Hot Tots have hit essentially every attendance goal they’ve set so far. Among some of the more popular nights on the schedule have been the recent Napoleon Dynamite theme night, as well as future events like the Minot Mallards Night (June 27) and Star Wars Night (June 29).

“A lot of our big promotional nights will come towards the end of June as well. So after this current homestand, we have the Mallards Night, which is going to be very popular,” said Blake. “We also have Star Wars Night and Military Appreciation Night. These are all coming up, so there’s lots of stuff to look out for.”

The Hot Tots will also be teaming up with Minot Health Clinic on free baseball clinics for area youth. Boys and girls can also sign up to be a bat boy or girl.

The fun isn’t limited to kids though, as there are plenty for adults to enjoy at the game too.

One of the more light-hearted promotions in the Northwoods League is the “beer batter,” where one batter is selected on the visiting team, and if he strikes out during his at bat, fans get half off all beer for the rest of the inning.

The Hot Totties, a senior citizen dance crew, have also proven very popular with the crowd. Blake explains, “Summer collegian baseball is really well known for wacky promotions and we all about using fun to make a difference in all walks of life.”

“One of the things that’s been really popular in the summer collegiate community has been the grandma dance team. We took that a step further and partnered with Elison Assisted Living, because one of their goals is to get their members out in the community.”

Fans who haven’t been out to the ballpark will notice quite a few updates to Corbett Field. Among the more visual updates along the first base side include the X Golf Minot First Base Club, which just out fifteen feet into the warning track, creating better sight lines for fans. The club has also added tabletop seating in the grandstand for fans.

Some upgrades fans may not notice, at least not at the ball park, are the four camera broadcast cameras as well as upgrades to the electrical and fiber optic systems.

“I think fans have really bought in,” said Blake. “Our all inclusive ticket packages include a jersey and a hat, so nine times out of ten when you come out to Corbett Field, you’re going to see the crowed packed with white Hot Tots jerseys. It just a cool thing that most people are wearing our merchandise.”

The Hot Tots success on the field hasn’t always translated into wins so far, as a few bad innings have hurt the team during the current homestand. Twice in the past week they have surrendered leads of at least six runs in losses.

However, the team credits the fan’s energy with helping them work towards climbing the standings.

Eu Claire comes to town with a 4-5 record, at time of press.

Nonetheless, both teams are sure to provide plenty of entertainment this weekend and all summer long, at Minot’s Corbett Field.