SANTA ANA, Calif. -Patriots Federal Credit Union's latest branchgrand opening has not only created quite a buzz around town but hasbeen a home run for members. “Patriots FCU is about tradition. Wefelt it would be fitting to throw out the first pitch, rather thansimply cut a ribbon,” said CEO, Jeff Herter. According to Herter,linking America's favorite pastime baseball to the credit union wasjust a natural fit. With a branch centered on home plate, long-timemembers and community VIPs munched on hot dogs, roasted peanuts,sno-cones and hot pretzels, while the “ballpark” disc jockey playedsongs. In addition, dignitaries and members received officialleague baseballs imprinted with the campaign logo: Patriots FederalCredit Union, In a League All Their Own. The move is another stepin the $104 million credit union's new marketing strategy focusedaround the tagline, “Traditionally Better”. So far Patriots FCU haslaunched a series of brochures, direct mail, and newspaperadvertisements positioning the credit union as a patriotic choice.“It's truly a whole new ballgame for us,” said Herter. “We've madea lot of changes – some of them really tough ones. But we'relooking forward to the future with an eye on growth and adding newmembers and community associations in Orange County. We trulybelieve we can provide a `Traditionally Better' approach for thefinancial needs and services our members should and willreceive.”