Any chance of the Madison Mallards making it to the Northwoods League playoffs ended with their penultimate game of the season on Saturday night. After winning a record 16 consecutive games to scale their way to first place in the South Division, a pair of loses to Duluth and Eau Claire, on Friday and Saturday nights respectively, ended their post-season hopes. The team has one game remaining in the season, a final match-up against first place Eau Claire on Sunday, August 12 at the Duck Pond.
This final game of the season for the Mallards tonight also marks their last promotion, Quench Gum Fan Appreciation Night, through which the team promises "great giveaways all night long." One of the most memorable promotional stunts of the season took place only last Monday, August 6, when the team played host to the first World Frogleg Eating Championship on the infield after the defeat of the Green Bay Bullfrogs. Of the ten contestants, including three professional eaters, it was a Madisonian who took home the honors last week. The "Mad City Masticator" Matt Allen ate one pound and ten-point-eight ounces of frog legs to win the championship, defeating his closest competitor by just over two ounces.
This festival of gluttony was shot on video and published online, capturing every moment of the five-minute competition from the stands behind home base. This video clip follows below.
Though it will be well into 2008 before the Mallards announce their promotional schedule for next season, one can hope that this contest marks the start of a new annual spectacle at the Duck Pond.
If you have a video about Madison or by Madisonians, please consider adding it to the Isthmus YouTube group or send a message.
Log in