Burlington Royals Become Burlington Sock Puppets

PRESS RELEASE – Baseball in Burlington finally has its own identity. One that embraces the history of the community, and one that they can say is uniquely theirs. Burlington Baseball announced this morning via their YouTube that the long-awaited rebranding process has culminated in the team’s sockingly different identity, now known as the Burlington Sock Puppets. The identity, created by Dan Simon of Studio Simon, pays homage to the rich textile tradition of this area by featuring two different sock puppets inside the primary logo.

T-Bones Become Monarchs

The Kansas City Monarchs are back — sort of.  New owners of the Kansas City T-Bones baseball club in Kansas City (KS) announced Thursday that the team will adopt the name of Kansas City’s storied Negro Leagues team beginning this season.  Read more here.

Owlz Relocate from Orem (UT) to Windsor (CO)

The Orem Owlz (Independent Professional, Pioneer League) have announced that they are relocating from their home in Orem (UT) to the Future Legends Complex in Windsor (CO).  They will be renamed the Northern Colorado (NoCo) Owlz in 2021.  Read more here.

MLB to Launch League for Draft Prospects

PRESS RELEASE – Major League Baseball, Prep Baseball Report (PBR), and five founding members today announced the formation of the MLB Draft League, which will become the first league in the country focused on top prospects who are eligible to be drafted by MLB Clubs that summer.

Expedition League Launches Team in Caldwell (Idaho)

PRESS RELEASE – The Expedition League, with 11 teams in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, and Manitoba Canada, today announced the arrival of its affiliate in Caldwell, Idaho. The Canyon County Spuds will play at Wolfe Field.

It’s the ‘Mining City Tommyknockers’

PRESS RELEASE – The Expedition League’s Butte affiliate, which will begin play in May of 2021, has announced the team’s name and unveiled the official logo. The team name is the Mining City Tommyknockers and the logo, designed by Jason Stemm of Stemm Creative, has been released. Orange, Black and Gray are the official team colors.

Gastonia Pro Baseball Narrows List of Possible Team Names to Five Finalists

The newest club in the Atlantic League (Independent Professional) located in Gastonia (NC) announced in August the launch of its “Name the Team Contest,” which encourages fans to submit names for consideration as the club builds its brand identity.  The team has narrowed the field to five finalists — Fire Ants, Honey Hunters, Uppercuts, Hogzillas, and Hotshots. Fans can learn more about the names and make their selection here by Oct. 31.

Branding Change: Introducing the ‘Jersey Shore BlueClaws’

PRESS RELEASE – The BlueClaws and the Jersey Shore have made great partners over the last 20 years, and on Wednesday night, they officially announced a name change and re-branding to the Jersey Shore BlueClaws. The official name change announcement was made at a VIP event at Seahorse, part of Asbury Park’s historic Convention Hall.

New Johnstown Franchise Named ‘Mill Rats’

PRESS RELEASE – The first Pennsylvanian team in the collegiate summer level Prospect League will pay tribute to that state’s blue collar heritage with its brand. The Johnstown Mill Rats’ nickname derives from a term used to describe coal miners and steel workers. The term originally had a derogatory connotation, but it’s been embraced and repurposed to reflect the grit and determination a person needs to work in those industries.

“Name the Team” Contest Underway in Columbus (GA)

The Columbus Baseball Team is holding a “name the Columbus Baseball Team” contest, available via this Google form.  The team will be identified by Jan. 1 and will compete in the Sunbelt Baseball League.  Read more here.  Read background story here.  The team will play at Golden Park.  Thanks to Joe DeLeonard for the heads up.

West Coast League Adds Edmonton to Lineup

PRESS RELEASE – Western North America’s premier summer collegiate baseball league continues to grow with Tuesday’s announcement from Baseball Edmonton introducing the Edmonton Riverhawks as the West Coast League’s 15th member team.

West Coast League Adds Kamloops (BC) to Lineup

PRESS RELEASE – Canada’s Tournament Capital just added another sports team to its roster, the Kamloops NorthPaws. The announcement on September 9 was surrounded by much socially distanced fanfare at Norbrock Stadium, the home of the NorthPaws when they begin play.

It’s the ‘Nanaimo NightOwls’

PRESS RELEASE – The lights, the history, the proud First Nations lore. And the world-famous dessert that helped make the City of Nanaimo a household name, all combined.

Rockers Home Stadium Name to Change to Truist Point

PRESS RELEASE -The High Point Rockers, along with Truist announced today that the teams home stadium of BB&T Point will officially be rebranded as Truist Point this summer. The transition comes as a contribution of its naming rights partnership with the independent Atlantic League franchise.

The NWL and Kingfish Announce Plans for 2020 Season

PRESS RELEASE – The Northwoods League and the Kenosha Kingfish are happy to announce that the Kingfish will be taking the field this summer in front of fans at Simmons Field.

Bismarck Larks Add Two Teams to Play in 2020: Bismarck Bull Moose, Mandan Flickertails

PRESS RELEASE – The Bismarck Larks have made big changes to their 2020 season. The biggest change is welcoming two other Northwoods League teams to the community, the Flickertails and Bull Moose. To eliminate travel, the three teams will each play a 48-game schedule against each other for a total of 72 games at Bismarck Municipal Ballpark, home of Dakota Community Bank & Trust Field.

Kalamazoo Growlers to Temporarily Re-Brand as ‘Mac Daddies’

PRESS RELEASE – Father’s day might look a bit different for many families on June 21st due to COVID-19. The same will be said for the Kalamazoo Growlers baseball team when the team will rename itself the “Kalamazoo Mac Daddies” in honor of fathers and mac and cheese lovers. The change is a dual salute to Dad, along with Michigan’s Undeniably Dairy Mac and Cheese Festival that is still slated to be hosted at Homer Stryker Field for the 2nd year later this fall after selling out in record time in 2019.

Wind Surge Ballpark Named ‘Riverfront Stadium’

Wichita’s new minor league baseball stadium has a name.  In just over a month, the Wichita Wind Surge (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) will take the field at the ballpark now known as Riverfront Stadium.  Read more here.

Crawdads to Become ‘Couch Potatoes’

PRESS RELEASE – The Crawdads are excited to unveil a new alternate identity for the 2020 season. The Crawdads will be taking the field for three games this season with a new alternate identity: the Hickory Couch Potatoes, presented by Kincaid Furniture Outlet.

T-Bones Are Back!

After getting the boot from its own ball park, the Kansas City T-Bones (Independent Professional, American Association) are back. On Tuesday, the team introduced its new owner, unveiled updated branding, and showcased plans for an impressive stadium makeover. Watch news report here.

Blue Crabs to Become Bleu Cheeses on Thursdays

PRESS RELEASE – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs announced on Friday afternoon that they will change their name to the Bleu Cheeses every Thursday as part of their Wing Wars promotion including all you can eat chicken wings and all you can drink beer.

Expedition League’s Sioux Falls Team Unveils Name and Logo

PRESS RELEASE – The Expedition League’s Sioux Falls affiliate, which will begin play in May of 2020, has announced the team’s name and unveiled the official logo. The team name is the Sioux Falls Sunfish and the logo has been released. The sunfish, or bluegill, is a popular panfish throughout the Sioux Falls region and all of South Dakota. Anyone who has fished for sunfish knows how much fun it is to catch them and what a beautiful fish it is.

San Antonio Missions to Transform Into Puffy Tacos for Three Games in May

The San Antonio Missions announced today the ball club will pay homage to a staple of the Alamo City’s cuisine and morph into the San Antonio Puffy Tacos for three games from May 22-24 against the Iowa Cubs. In addition, the Missions have decreed May 22 as National Puffy Taco Day.

New Cannon Ballers Ballpark Gets a Name

The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (Single-A, Carolina League) have announced a 10-year partnership with Atrium Health that includes naming the city’s new, state-of-the-art baseball stadium, Atrium Health Ballpark.  Read more here.

Dragons Announce New Stadium Naming Rights Agreement with Day Air Credit Union

PRESS RELEASE – The Dayton Dragons and Day Air Credit Union today announced a 10-year partnership providing stadium naming rights through 2029. Beginning today, the facility will be named Day Air Ballpark. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Time to Name the Atlantic League’s Robo Umps

If “Robo Umps” are going to continue calling balls and strikes, in the Atlantic League (Independent Professional), they need to be ready to hear the good and the bad from the fans, just like their human counterparts.  And for that, they’re going to need names.  Read more here.  Read press release here.

It’s the Jamestown Tarp Skunks!

Welcome the Jamestown Tarp Skunks.  The team, whose name was announced Wednesday at a ceremony, will begin play in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (Summer Collegiate) on May 29.  Read more here.

Lugnuts Release 25th Anniversary Logo

PRESS RELEASE – As the anticipation builds towards the 25th season of Lansing Lugnuts baseball, the Lugnuts have released their special 25th Anniversary logo, to be worn on the team uniform during the 2020 season.

Baseball Grounds to Become 121 Financial Ballpark

PRESS RELEASE – Jacksonville’s longest tenured professional sports franchise has entered into an agreement to play in a stadium bearing the name of one of Jacksonville’s longest continually-operating credit unions. The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and 121 Financial Credit Union (pronounced “One to One”) have agreed to terms on a long-term naming rights agreement for the ballpark, pending Jacksonville City Council approval expected ahead of the 2020 season.

It’s the Florence Y’alls!

The Northern Kentucky baseball team — a member of the West Division of the Frontier League (Independent Professional) — will now be known as the Florence Y’alls, a nod to the city’s famed and quirky water tower.  Read more here.

Miller Park to Become American Family Field

The Milwaukee Brewers home ballpark will have a new name next year after a 20-year deal with Miller comes to an end.  American Family Insurance announced Tuesday evening that Miller Park will become American Family Field next Jan. 1.  A new logo and other branding elements will be revealed later this year.  Read more here and here.

Eau Claire Express Unveil ‘Sweet 16’ Season Logo

The Eau Claire Express (Summer Collegiate, Northwoods League) have announced the team’s 2020 season-long promotion with the unveiling of their ‘Sweet 16’ season logo and promotional update.  Celebrating their 16th season as a team in 2020, 16 games throughout the upcoming season will recognize and celebrate the franchise’s key accomplishments — one year and game at a time.  Read more here.

Dash Unveil New Primary Logo for Franchise

PRESS RELEASE – The Winston-Salem Dash revealed their new primary logo for the 2020 season and beyond on Wednesday, kicking off several stylistic changes before the 12th season of the franchise.

‘Boomer’ Takes Flight with Cannon Ballers

PRESS RELEASE – For months Cabarrus County residents have welcomed a big-headed, mustachioed daredevil into their hearts, businesses, and homes without even knowing his name. That changed today when the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers announced their mascot’s name: Boomer.

Cannon Ballers & Kinetic Link Up to Enhance Fan Experience

PRESS RELEASE – With the opening of the Kannapolis Sports and Entertainment Venue less than 100 days away, the team revealed a Founding Partnership with Kinetic by Windstream that includes wireless internet access for all fans attending games and other events. As part of the alliance, the 6,000-square foot premium hospitality space on the suite level will be known as the Kinetic Club.

Jeter Street?

New York Yankees fans may soon be able to meet outside the Bronx stadium at the corner of Jeter Street and Rivera Avenue.  Cary Goodman, who runs the area’s business improvement district, is petitioning City Council to rename East 161st Street between Gerard and River avenues after Derek Jeter, the Yankees retired shortstop.  Read more here.

Braves Unveil ‘Truist Park’ as Stadium’s New Name

The Atlanta Braves officially bid adieu to the SunTrust Park era on Tuesday morning, when it was announced their stadium will now be known as Truist Park.  Read more and watch video here.

Mets Spring Training Home to be Named Clover Park

PRESS RELEASE – The spring training home of the New York Mets and regular-season home of the St. Lucie Mets, New York’s Advanced-A minor league affiliate, will have a new name next season. The venue, formerly known as First Data Field, will be called Clover Park beginning in February 2020. This change follows the 2019 acquisition of First Data by Fiserv, a leading global provider of payments and financial services technology.

Lakewood BlueClaws to Celebrate 20th Season in 2020

It’s hard to believe, but the Lakewood BlueClaws (Single-A, South Atlantic League) will celebrate their 20th season in 2020.   Check out the logo and video here.  View old ballpark construction photos here.  View 2020 schedule here.

RedHawks Reveal 25th Season Commemorative Logo

PRESS RELEASE – The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks released their 25th season commemorative logo Thursday, in recognition of the team’s 25th season in 2020. The RedHawks will recognize the anniversary during the 25th season with special promotions, giveaways, and an All-25 Team, which will be selected by a fan vote, beginning in early 2020.