Here is a great idea from Tampa Bay.

When Tampa mascot Raymond made the trip to the Mascot Hall of Fame, it left a void for a game day. The Rays decided to “call up” one of their minor league affiliate mascots which was probably both interesting for their fans as well as a thrill for the performer. It was an easy way to make things interesting during a long 81 game season.

On August 15, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays will make mascot history with the first ever call up of a squirrel. Chatter, mascot for the Rays single-A affiliate Visalia Oaks, will take over the role as mascot for one night. Raymond, the Rays official mascot, will be out of town attending the Mascot Hall of Fame Induction ceremony in Philadelphia. (Rays PR)

I will go one further and suggest this is something teams should do yearly just to capture the following benefits.

• Groom new talent for your mascot program
• A yearly trip to your game might be added incentive to attract better candidates to your minor league teams
• Let your mascot help the mascots in your affiliates
• Give your mascot the chance to only to mentor, but to learn from other mascots
• Create interest and hype for the mascots in your affiliate cities
• Keep things fresh with your games by giving your fans something different.  (and if you are not confident in the job they might do, you can invite them to join your mascot for a night rather than replace them for a night)

–Cudo