Bobblehead of the Week- Northwest Arkansas Naturals' Vance Wilson

As some of you might recall, I have family who lives in the Northwestern corner of Arkansas. If I'm lucky, I travel out that way once every few summers to visit them, and my visits typically coincide with a Naturals' (the Royals' AA affiliate) homestand. Weird how that works out for a baseball fan, am I right? 

I believe during the summer of 2009, my visit also matched up with a Naturals' bobblehead giveaway of then Nats' catcher and former big leaguer, Vance Wilson. Vance was, and maybe still is, a neighbor of my Aunt's in Springdale, Arkansas, and the ballpark was only about ten minutes from his house. He recently agreed to become the manager of the hi-A Carolina League Wilmington Blue Rocks, based in Wilmington, Delaware, which I know is quite a distance from Springdale. Since the Blue Rocks play the Frederick Keys a few times each summer, I hope to have Lance sign my bobblehead at some point. 

The bobblehead is pretty decent looking, if not a bit wobbly on it's base, and the pose is very unique, in my collection at least. Since I attended this game with my family, I ended up with a few extra copies of this bobble, if anyone is interested in one, let me know. 

I'm a big fan of the Naturals' lightning bolt N logo, and now own a cap with a variation of it. 

The Royals' farm system has had a bunch of top prospects pass through town in recent years, so the Naturals' are competitive most seasons and my family is regularly treated to some exciting baseball action. The team has only been around for maybe five years, so the ballpark is new and has been mostly full each time I've attended a game.