Pelicans Game Becomes a Real “Zoo” for Fans and Groups
By Terry Massey
Take a pack of giant, inflatable animals, a loudly dressed and loud-singing bunch of beach bums and a group of fez-wearing, child-caring grown men, and what do you get?
Just another night at the ballpark with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, who showed how to celebrate diversity by hosting the Zooperstars, Parrotheads and Shriners on Saturday.
In addition to all the sideshow theatrics, the fans were also treated to some free baseball when the game went to extra innings. The Dash won 6-5 in the 11th inning, but even that didn't dampen the spirits of the 4,801 in attendance, many of whom stayed until the end.
While most of those who filled BB&T Coastal Field were average fans, the groups were well represented, especially the children who came to see the Zooperstars perform.
For those unfamiliar with the touring entertainment group, the Zooperstars hit it big last year when they advanced deep into the TV show ``America's Got Talent'' competition.
``We saw them on TV last year and loved them,'' said Karen Schrader of Hickory, N.C. ``We voted for them but they didn't win. We couldn't believe it when we heard they were going to be here tonight. The kids wanted to see them and get pictures taken with them.''
The Zooperstars didn't disappoint, emerging in the second inning to bounce around the umpire and each other. Harry Canary and Ichi-roach Suzuki (caricatures of baseball greats Harry Caray and Ichiro Suzuki) brought down the house with a head-on collision.
That act was followed by Clammy Sosa, a knock-off of Sammy Sosa. The oversized clam ate a fictitious player, spitting out his cleats and then leaving a player wearing only his underwear.
And for an encore, Alex Frog-riguez and Nomar Garcia-parrot performed a dance routine that had fans jumping in the aisles. The parrot drew extra cheers from one group.
The Grand Strand chapter of the Parrothead Club, followers of musician Jimmy Buffett's island lifestyle, donned Hawaiian shirts, Bermuda shorts, straw hats and flip-flops. They partied in Landshark Landing, named for Buffett's own brand of beer, for fun in the sun.
Buffett classics such as ``Cheeseburger in Paradise,'' ``Margaritaville'' and ``Fins'' were piped in over the PA between innings as Parrotheads sang along to the familiar songs.
And local Shriners, sporting their trademark purple fezzes, also gathered in the grandstands to raise money and awareness for their children's charities and enjoy the game.
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