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Home , Lake Elsinore Storm, San Diego Padres

[ Logo/ Profile ] JJACKPOT,ACKPOT, THTHUNDERUNDER AND A PAIR OF Mascot and Logo of the

IN A SUBURBAN SOUTHERN would welcome the team with open team, the fans voted for COMMUNITY along- arms. The administration found what intimidation factor over Fear Factor side Interstate-15, from early April they were looking for down a dusty and selected the Storm. to September, it’s storm season. highway in Lake Elsinore. The Lake Elsinore Storm kicked This annual event is no freak weather Upon arrival, the team kept in the off their inaugural season in 1994, pattern; in fact it only strikes when the 1990s tradition of choosing a separate maintaining relations with the sun is a shinin’. So, what is causing this identity from its big league parent club, California Angels prior to changing pseudo meteorological phenomenon? dropping both the “Palm Springs” and affiliation to the Padres in 2001. The None other than the Padres’ the “Angels” (its former affiliation) Storm’s original logo bore the city’s Advanced-A Lake Elsinore Storm! from its moniker. When nickname initials and a lightning bolt, engulfed by The Storm began brewing in Palm issues arose, team management left it a halo, streaking down the middle. Springs, where the team resided for up to residents of their new communi- While the halo formed a bond between years prior to their 1994 relocation to ty, who were quick to come up with the Storm and their former parent Lake Elsinore, Calif. Though Palm some potential ideas. Faster than the team, the old school emblem did not Springs served as a desirable vacation speed of lightning, a plethora of bizarre completely match the franchise’s destination, tourist opted for sand over names rolled in like thunder. While the ominous nickname. the stands as attendance lacked and “Algae” and “Slimebags” seemed per- In 1998 the Storm changed their management sought after a city that fectly eccentric for a Minor League official home and road logos to a Photographs Photographs Courtesy of the Lake Elsinore Storm STORMING THE FIELD: Jackpot (left) and Thunder pump up Lake Elsinore fans at every home game.

AT THE YARD | October 2004 15 [ Logo/Mascot Profile ] Jackpot OFF THE FIELD

Favorites… thundercloud with leering eyes and Elsinore’s stadium). Instead, a preseason Snacks: hot dogs, nachos switched their team colors to red and alteration produced the revised version and outfield grass black. “The menacing look fit in with the with eyes to the bill. Many players Movie: Who Framed ambiance,” said Storm President and on the team wore sunglasses and when Roger Rabbit? General Dave Oster. Although they tipped them up on their hat, which Moment: When the new the personified storm cloud was intimi- tends to be a chic look at the yard, the grass came in for the dating, the team’s management decided to shades would cover the Storm eyes. The 2001 season enhance the vibe another notch on their minor change has proven to be ingenious, Worst Moment: Drinking official alternate cap. The new look saw for the eyes have remained at this height too much carrot juice after the storm cloud dissipate, leaving behind ever since. the 1996 championship a completely black hat, with the two glar- While the Storm’s logo has changed game ing “eyes of the storm”… and nationwide a couple of times to increase intimida- Likes: The Storm scoring attention. tion, their mascots have not received the runs and great music to The now infamous “eyes” hat became same treatment. Jackpot the rabbit dance to so popular that the Storm promoted it to remains as bright and pink as ever and Dislikes: Storm losses, their home and away caps as well. While Thunder remains a neon green furry… rainouts and classical hot new logos infiltrate the shelves something. music annually, the numbers continually show 2004 marks the eighth season that ON THE FIELD that through just last season, the Lake Jackpot waits behind the outfield wall for Elsinore Storm had the most popular New every home game. The only time this sun- Age: 10 years old Era (the official cap of Minor League glasses-wearing bunny appears is when a D.O.B.: June 11, 1994 Baseball) cap in the minor leagues, home team batter hits the “jackpot”… a Height: 4'10" outselling 160 teams’ caps. Logo recogni- . As the crowd leaps up to Weight: 78 lbs. tion exceeds only enthusiast fans. “We cheer, Jackpot springs out of hiding and have definitely seen the popularity of the celebrates with cartwheels and dancing. logo reflected in the of youth Although younger than Jackpot, Thunder teams that approach us each season,” said Thunder is the Storm’s main mascot and OFF THE FIELD Donna Grunow, the Storm’s director of has captured the hearts of Lake Elsinore merchandising. “It’s not just Little fans since 2001. With neon First Appearance: April 8, Leagues, either. It’s all sports from green fur, bushy yellow eyebrows, and a 2001 (Opening Day) baseball to soccer to volleyball. We have purple nose protruding from his face, Childhood Idol: Phillie at least one ‘Storm’ team in every state Thunder bears a slight resemblance to the Phanatic and even several ‘Storm’ teams outside , who happens to be his Favorites… the country.” childhood idol. While fans usually Food: “Kibble, Table Scraps While the logo’s history and reputa- envision Thunder as a dog, the question as and Storm Dog” tion are extensive, the Storm’s cap as we to his true identity remains a mystery. know it, almost wasn’t. When the first Now with Storm season blowing Sunscreen: Banana Boat “eyes of the storm” hats were created, the over, Jackpot will go into hibernation and Props: Silly String and glaring peepers were situated much uninformed fans will store their umbrellas Banana Boat Surfboard higher on the crown. These hats never eagerly anticipating the next burst of Rappers: Snoop Doggy had a chance to see The Diamond (Lake Thunder. [] Eric Karlan Dogg and Lil Bow Wow

Players: Todd Houndly, Ellis FF! Barks, Rickey Thunderson

O and Denny Beagle ATS batting << H practice Mascots: Hamlet, Jackpot home and Reggy << ON THE FIELD << road Age: 3 years old << alternate Height: 6'2" Weight: “Very Healthy”

16 AT THE YARD | The Game Starts Here