A new collegiate summer baseball team in Danville, Virginia, features events such as “Teat-Tugging Thursdays” and uses hashtags such as #GetMilked and #DaddiesAfterDark across social media. We suppose that’s fitting for a team named the Danville Dairy Daddies.
Now, this udderly fresh and undeniably legenDAIRY baseball organization also has a new partner: The Dairy Alliance.
“We are thrilled and honored to be the Official Milk sponsor for this new and energetic team,” said Geri Berdak, CEO at The Dairy Alliance, a nonprofit organization funded by dairy farm families in the Southeast. “We hope to not only raise awareness about how milk delivers a nutrient package that athletes and fitness enthusiasts of all ages, but also celebrate our dedicated local Virginia dairy farmers who provide our community with fresh, local dairy products.”
The new team is a bit irreverent in its marketing — dare we say, sensual — and has drawn the attention of a variety of media outlets.
“This marketing gimmick for the baseball team worked so well that within 24 hours of announcing its name, the Dairy Daddies had already received merchandise orders from all 50 states and some fans overseas,” one publication, Cardinal News, wrote in an expertly crafted piece that was an ideal fit for the tone of this team.
The Dairy Daddies are part of the Danville Otterbots’ expansion into the Old North State League. Home games are held at the Dan Daniel Memorial Park now until July. The recent team expansion comes on the heels of successful 2021-2023 seasons that drew a nearly 70 percent increase in average attendance for games.
Kyle Vanderhyde, a proud dairy farmer from Vanderhyde Dairy in Chatham, Virginia, shared his excitement about the partnership. “This initiative is a fantastic way to connect with our community and showcase the hard work that goes into producing the fresh, nutritious dairy milk we all enjoy. We’re looking forward to cheering on the team and sharing the importance of local dairy with all the fans,” said Vanderhyde.
Baseball and rural America go together so well. This just seems to be the next (and best?) iteration!