As long as you haven't been living under a rock, or in Prince Fielder's stomach, for the past year, you know the economy is struggling.

Pro franchises are feeling the pinch as well. How do you attract fans to games during these tough economic times?

Promotions, baby, promotions.

For years, handing out cheap trinkets or holding concerts performed by washed up '80s bands has been a staple to lure fans into the ballpark.

This season, teams like the Pirates have revved up the promotions to epic proportions.

There are at least a half dozen giveaways/events that will draw me to PNC Park this summer.

Oh, and maybe the baseball will be kind of OK, too.

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Friday, April 17: Pirates Calendar. Conveniently, May 22 will be circled so fans will know the exact date the Buccos will be eliminated from playoff contention.

Saturday, April 18: Ryan Doumit bobblehead. The bobblehead will be so realistic, it will come complete with a left hamstring pull and a certificate for 15 days on the disabled list.

Friday, May 15: Let's Go Bucs, Let's Go Green Reusable Grocery Bag. Eye and breathing holes not included. Fans will have to cut those out themselves to wear it safely over their heads.

Sunday, June 14: Turn Back the Clock Day. If the club could only turn back the clock 18 years for real. That would be quite the promotion.Unfortunately, Hiro Nakamura is not part of the promo.

Saturday, September 26: Fireworks and Foreigner Concert: Just say "fireworks" and the fans will come even if Foreigner is part of the deal.The band might want to know what love is, but Pirates fans would simply like to know what winning is.

Monday, Sept. 28: 2010 magnetic schedule. So fans won't have to wait until next year.The Pirates aren't alone. Other clubs are offering zany giveaways and attractions to get fannies in the seats.These are some promotions worth checking out within driving distance of Pittsburgh:

Saturday, May 30: O's Plush Cow at Camden Yards in Baltimore. When I think Orioles baseball, I think stuffed cow.Oh, wait. That's what I think of when I think about Boog Powell.

Sunday, June 21: Men's Bucket Hat at Citizen's Bank Park in Philadelphia. Now every fan over the age of 15 can pretend to be Shane Victorino and run full speed into a wall without fear of a massive head injury.

Monday, July 15: Rick Vaughn "Wild Thing" Bobblehead at Progressive Field in Cleveland. I guess there wasn't a big demand for the Willie Mays Hayes Wesley Snipes tax evasion bobblehead, complete with prison number and handcuffs.

Saturday, Sept. 5: Adopt a Pet at the Park at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. Sorry, but you can't take a pathetic, downtrodden and hungry Washington Nationals player home with you, no matter how much he begs.Mike Kilroy is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.