‘You Should Go’ Can John Oliver’s ‘Moon Mammoths’ spotlight also boost the Arkansas Travelers?
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The spectacle of comedian John Oliver’s "Moon Mammoths" taking the field Saturday in Erie, Pennsylvania, may have captured national attention for Minor League Baseball, but the ripples could extend far beyond, potentially reaching North Little Rock.
For the Arkansas Travelers, playing at CHI St. Vincent Field at Dickey-Stephens Park nearly a thousand miles away, this renewed spotlight on the minor league experience could offer a timely and critical boost in fan interest and attendance.
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John Oliver prepares to throw the first pitch during a game between the Chesapeake Oyster Catchers and the Erie Moon Mammoths at UMPC Park in Erie, Pa., on Saturday, July 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Joe Reedy) -
John Oliver and Fuss E. Mammoth, the Moon Mammoth mascot, are driven onto the field before a game between the Chesapeake Oyster Catchers and the Erie Moon Mammoths at UMPC Park in Erie, Pa., on Saturday, July 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Joe Reedy) -
John Oliver speaks to media before a baseball game between the Chesapeake Oyster Catchers and the Erie Moon Mammoths at UMPC Park in Erie, Pa., on Saturday, July 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Joe Reedy)
The concept originated on HBO's "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver," after he showcased some of Minor League Baseball's more unusual promotions and invited a team to allow his staff to rebrand them.
The Erie SeaWolves were selected, and on June 29, 2025, Oliver announced their temporary new identity: the Moon Mammoths. This clever alternate name honored local diver George Moon, who discovered a three-foot woolly mammoth shoulder blade while scuba diving in nearby Lake Pleasant, leading to the recovery of 80 percent of the creature's skeleton from the lake bottom.
After throwing out the game’s first pitch to a sold-out crowd, Oliver spoke to media, emphasizing Minor League Baseball's unique entertainment value and community importance.
"You wanna try this. It’s much more fun than you might think it is. It’s a really entertaining, exciting experience, Minor League Baseball, and you should go," Oliver said. "My message would be for people who haven’t been to a minor league game before, you should go."
This week, the Arkansas Travelers echoed a similar call, announcing on social media an offer of free tickets to future new fans.
“We could keep telling you what you’re missing out on when you’re not at the ballpark, or... we’ll let you see for yourself. For free,” the team posted.
To help pack Dickey-Stephens Park, the Travs are offering up to five free tickets to fans who have not attended a home game during the 2025 season.
The Travelers experienced their own national spotlight this season when their temporary rebrand as the "Barkansas Dizzys" was featured on ESPN's "SportsCenter." That first game celebrating their ballpark pup drew an attendance of 7,800, with crowds exceeding 4,000 four times during that week-long homestand.
The Travelers return home next week to take on the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, with fireworks planned after Friday night’s game.
During a "Christmas in July" celebration on Saturday, NBA stars Moses Moody and Draymond Green are slated to throw out the first pitch. The Travs will also give away a Christmas ornament version of their 2024 Texas League Championship trophy.
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