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Y! MyWebChicken's antics give fans something to cheer
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
DAYTON — Loud clapping, laughing and cheers could be heard throughout Fifth Third Field last night, but none of it had to do with the way the Dayton Dragons played.
The Famous San Diego Chicken made sure that most of the Dragons' fans left with a smile, despite their team losing 5-1 to South Bend on Wednesday, June 25.
The chicken, otherwise known as Ted Giannoulas, delighted fans with antics ranging from coaching first base for a half inning to break dancing with Barney before heading beyond the left-field wall to sign autographs.
"It was excellent," Giannoulas said. "We hit all our marks. The kids were funny. I just wish we could have gotten some runs, but that's out of my chicken fingers."
Although his bits might have looked spontaneous, they were actually well-planned.
Giannoulas and his crew arrived at Fifth Third at 3:30 p.m. to start preparing for their routine. They talked to everyone from the public-address announcer to the opposing players to set up the routines and make sure everyone knew what they were doing.
When the gates opened, David Barac, the managing director of TFC Inc., searched the crowd for kids willing to participate in Giannoulas' baby chicken routine.
Even those kids picked were part of a plan.
"I've got this down to a science," Barac said. "I know which kids are going to (ditch) out on me when they get out there.
"I always like the kids who are running away from their parents."
The kids were then quickly taken down below the concourse level to practice their routine and greet Giannoulas.
Then Giannoulas was off to perform his famous act.
While the Dragons were batting, Giannoulas would be changing chicken costumes or trying his best just to catch his breath. Even that seemed difficult, however.
Third baseman Brandon Waring genuinely seemed concerned when he saw Giannoulas panting on his way into the Dragons' dugout.
"There is a lot of prep work that people don't see," Giannoulas said. "It's supposed to look easy on the outside. The thing is to make sure that the whole thing flows."
About the only thing that didn't go as planned was when chicken No.4, Sean Young, didn't do one of his chicken "duties." Giannoulas grabbed him by the hand and led him back to the umpire to finish his job.
But even those unplanned parts get big laughs, which is why Giannoulas still dons a chicken suit after 34 years of doing his routine.
"You can't teach them that," Giannoulas said. "There's always a little wiggle room for improv. ... It's still funny to the audience."
Giannoulas' act was just one of about 50 he will do this year, down from around 200 earlier in his career.
"I still have the energy," Giannoulas said. "I don't mind taking it a step slower, though."
