Fansided

Athletics cap swap giving fans a chance to trade in Giants hats

By Derek Helling

Sep 23, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Kendall Graveman (49) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Kendall Graveman (49) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oakland Athletics are hosting a “Spirit Week” beginning on Monday, part of which is a program that will allow baseball fans to swap a San Francisco Giants hat for a new A’s lid.

There’s a flag-raising ceremony, free beer, free coffee and free public transportation included in the week-long festivities, but it’s the free Athletics cap swap that might garner the most attention from fans.

According to a team press release, A’s Spirt Week begins at noon PDT on Monday, March 27 at Oakland City Hall, where the city’s mayor will preside over a ceremony raising a team flag over the building. That night’s events will include a Budweiser happy hour at Bar 355.

Tuesday promises an elementary school visit and Wednesday morning’s activities feature free coffee. On Thursday, the A’s will be giving away round-trip BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) passes to all fans who have tickets to the “Bay Bridge” exhibition game between the A’s and the Giants.

It’s that local rivalry that has inspired the cap swap program. The program will be available at any and all of the week’s events, including the Bay Bridge game at the Coliseum. While this festival looks like a great way to connect with fans and bring some attention to the contest between the A’s and the Giants, there’s a bigger motivation at play here.

With the exit of the NFL’s Oakland Raiders to Las Vegas possibly imminent, the A’s appear to be pouncing on the opportunity to craft a message of commitment to Oakland. Outside of just being good public relations practice to show the team is committed to the market, the message could pay off for the A’s in the future.

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It’s no secret that the A’s stadium situation needs addressing. There’s a proposal that would build a new stadium for the Raiders in the Bay Area, made as an effort to keep the team in Oakland. Should the Raiders leave, the focus of those resources might shift to providing a new facility for the A’s instead.

All the business and politics aside, this next week represents an opportunity for A’s fans to connect with their beloved team and each other, while enjoying some perks like the Athletics cap swap as well.

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