• by Teresa Buyikian , 95 minutes ago

Angry Orchard’s latest summer promo saw the brand, and a famous ball player, come to the rescue of one very beleaguered recreational softball team.

To highlight the brand’s tagline, “Don’t Get Angry, Get Orchard,” the hard cider launched a search earlier this summer for “one of the worst rec softball teams in America.” Settling on the “Sons of Pitches,” a rec team out of New York City that was on a 14-game losing streak, the brand sent in a “Super Sub” in the form of pro baller Nick Swisher.

“Angry Orchard is all about finding the fun in life's frustrating moments,” said John Dorman, senior director of marketing at Angry Orchard, in a release.  “You can get angry about it, or you can laugh it off with a cold cider in hand. That's why we sent in Angry Orchard Super Sub Nick Swisher to surprise a team that never let a tough season get in the way of having fun.”

Former professional baseball outfielder and first baseman Swisher, who won a World Series title with the New York Yankees in 2009, surprised the Sons of Pitches by suiting up for an actual game. Videos featuring Swisher, such as seen here, show the pro baller stepping into the lineup.

A voiceover narrates over game footage, “We sent a sub in for the team who couldn’t catch a break… or a ball. The worst team in New York behaved as if they belonged on the field. For one day, the Sons of Pitches got to experience what victory really tastes like. So the next time life gives you a losing season, don’t get angry, get Orchard.”

The videos run across the brand’s Facebook, Instagram and X accounts.