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.

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.

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.

Rome Braves Unveil New HD Videoboard Upgrades

PRESS RELEASE – The Rome Braves, Single-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, unveiled plans to build a new high definition video board at State Mutual Stadium prior to the start of the 2020 season. In addition to the new, primary display in left field, the Rome Braves also announced upgrades to the existing Go Braves board along with the matrix board near the entrance of Braves Boulevard.

‘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.

RiverDogs Hire Jason Kempf as Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations

PRESS RELEASE – RiverDogs President and General Manager Dave Echols has announced the hiring of Jason Kempf as the next Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations for the Charleston RiverDogs. He replaces Matt Dean, who is now assuming a similar role with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Advanced-A, Houston Astros).

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.

DeAngelis Steps Down From BlueClaws

PRESS RELEASE – BlueClaws Vice President of Community Relations, Jim DeAngelis, has stepped down from his position with the team.

Grass Installation Marks Major Milestone in Kannapolis Ballpark Project

On Friday, crews laid the final rolls of sod transforming the Kannapolis Sports and Entertainment Venue (SEV) from a construction zone into a green oasis where the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (Single-A, South Atlantic League) will play their first game on April 16, 2020.  Read press release here.

Cannon Ballers Merchandise Selling Fast, Learn More About the History and Development Behind the New Brand

Merchandise for the former Kannapolis Intimidators (Single-A, South Atlantic League) is flying off the shelves.  Due to overwhelming demand, the “Kannapolis Cannon Ballers” downtown retail store will remain open for the foreseeable future inside the former 46 Restaurant.  Read more here.  Read about the branding “home run” here.  For those interested in learning more about the origins of the name and development of the brand by Dan Simon of Studio Simon, watch the video below (Dan is featured at the 14:37 mark):

It’s the ‘Kannapolis Cannon Ballers’

PRESS RELEASE – In a nod to the historical significance of Kannapolis as a mill town whose history is tightly woven with America’s Pastime, the community gathered Wednesday to celebrate the team’s new identity. The event’s location at the Historic Gem Theater celebrated the old, while its continuation outside along the West Avenue Streetscape also lauded the new.

RiverDogs Add Two to Front Office

PRESS RELEASE – The Charleston RiverDogs have announced the addition of two new members to the front office, hiring Kayla Greaves as the club’s new box office manager and Ryan Perry as the director of video production.

Kannapolis Team Gets New Name Tonight

They’ve been known as the Phillies, the Boll Weevils, and the Intimidators, and on Wednesday night the minor league baseball team in Kannapolis (NC) will unveil its newest incarnation.  Read more here.  Read more from the team here.

RiverDogs to Host 17th Annual Ballpark Festival of Beers Saturday

The Charleston RiverDogs (Single-A, South Atlantic League) will be hosting the 17th annual Festival of Beers at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park on Saturday, Aug. 17, starting at 7 p.m.  There will be more than 100 breweries, both domestic and international, serving up a wide variety of suds.   Like any beer festival, there will be more than just the cold stuff going down smooth — enjoy musical stylings by the Blue Plantation Band and Baby Fat Band, plus eats from Kickin’ Chicken, Holy Rolly Charleston, Braised in the South, and Bearded Dogs.  Read more here.

Hagerstown Holds Stadium Work Session

Much of the debate over a new stadium or multiuse facility in Hagerstown (MD) has revolved around location, but there is apparently still a question of what the stadium should be.  Once councilman said, “I don’t know if it has to include baseball.” Read more here.

Ballpark Beam Signing in Kannapolis

Putting graffiti on public property is usually frowned upon by public officials. This week, though, Kannapolis invited the public to leave its mark on the new Sports and Entertainment Venue (SEV) being built downtown.  Read more here.

The last steel beam for the SEV is at City Hall! Come sign your name before 5 p.m., May 23.https://t.co/fVBMnl6VVT pic.twitter.com/5c7r2BGQQi

— Kannapolis, NC (@Kannapolis) May 21, 2019

Hagerstown Ballpark Study to be Presented Today

The latest chapter in the pursuit to build a new baseball stadium in Hagerstown (MD) will begin Tuesday at 4:10 p.m., as the Maryland Stadium Authority will present its completed study on preliminary market and site analysis for a new minor league ballpark during a Hagerstown City Council work session meeting at City Hall.  Read more here.

Kannapolis Downtown Redevelopment Underway

As part of a $300-million downtown redevelopment plan, a new ballpark is being built for the Kannapolis Intimidators (Single-A, South Atlantic League).  Still to come are hundreds of apartments, shops, offices and a hotel. Read more here.

Intimidators Pen Open Letter to Fans, Address Concerns About Rebranding

Kannapolis Community,

What a week! Within 24 hours of announcing the Branded New by You campaign, over 300 of you had submitted really terrific ideas. That number grew quickly, and each day our team pored over your recommendations. In all, we received 1,223 submissions.

Kannapolis Baseball Seeks Community’s Help to Rebrand Team

PRESS RELEASE – As the Kannapolis Class A baseball franchise moves toward a new era of baseball at the City of Kannapolis’s Sports and Entertainment Venue, the team invites the community to help rename the franchise. Today the team launches its “Branded New By You” campaign and is asking community members to suggest names to help define the team’s new identity. In addition to a new name, the rebrand will include a new logo and mascot. The new identity will debut after the 2019 season ends.

Power Announce Front Office Changes

PRESS RELEASE – The West Virginia Power, the Low-A South Atlantic League affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, is proud to announce several front office moves prior to the 2019 season, highlighted by the elevation of Jeremy Taylor to General Manager. Two former interns received full-time offers this past offseason, while several others added on to their organizational responsibilities and Dean Thomas joined the club as their new Game Entertainment and Production Manager.

Fireflies Home Now Segra Park

Spirit Communications Park, home of the Columbia Fieflies (Single-A, South Atlantic League) will now be known as Segra Park.  Spirit Communications and Lumos Networks Corp. announced Monday that the two companies have rebranded as Segra.  Read more here.  Read press release here.

Suns Announce New Voice

The Hagerstown Suns will have a new Director of Media Relations/Broadcasting in 2019. John Kocsis Jr. will broadcast all 70 Suns home games from historic Municipal Stadium and select road games online via TuneIn Radio.

Temerity Baseball Purchases Kannapolis Intimidators

PRESS RELEASE – Temerity Baseball, LLC, today acquired the Kannapolis Intimidators, a single-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. Temerity Baseball will be working closely with the City of Kannapolis on completion of the new state of the art Kannapolis Sports and Entertainment Venue in time for the opening of the 2020 baseball season. The SEV will be the anchor of a revitalized and vibrant urban core.

Kannapolis Breaks Ground on New Downtown Ballpark

On Tuesday, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new baseball stadium to be built for the Kannapolis Intimidators (Single-A, South Atlantic League).  City officials called the project a catalyst that will help transform the downtown area on the other side of the ballpark.  Read more and watch news report here.

‘Hoppers, First National Bank Extend Ballpark Naming Rights Deal

The Greensboro Grasshoppers’ (Single-A, South Atlantic League) downtown ballpark will keep its First National Bank Field name through at least the 2026 season. The Hoppers and FNB Corp. agreed to a five-year extension of their existing naming rights deal, which runs through 2021.  Read more here.

Power to Host 2019 South Atlantic League All-Star Game

PRESS RELEASE – The West Virginia Power, Class A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, are excited to announce, in conjunction with the Charleston Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, FestivALL, the City of Charleston and the South Atlantic League, that the club will host the 2019 South Atlantic League All-Star Game at Appalachian Power Park on Tuesday, June 18, 2019.

Kannapolis Approves New Downtown Ballpark

The Kannapolis City Council unanimously approved a $52 million, 5,000-capacity minor league baseball stadium in downtown Monday night.  The stadium is expected to be ready for the 2020 season.  Read more here.

Running a Team and Raising Kids at the Ballpark

Brian DeWine, president of the Asheville Tourists (Single-A, South Atlantic League), occupies an office that serves as a work room, play room and nap room. Such is the reality of raising kids while running a Minor League Baseball team.  Read more from MiLB.com reporter Benjamin Hill here.

RiverDogs to Transform into ‘Charleston Boiled Peanuts’ for a Night, Unveil Logo and Unis

PRESS RELEASE – The Charleston RiverDogs are dropping the RiverDogs name to pay homage to a local culinary favorite and a ballpark icon when they become the Charleston Boiled Peanuts for one night only on Saturday, July 28 at Joe Riley Park.

BlueClaws to Host 11th Annual Bruce Springsteen Appreciation Night

The Lakewood BlueClaws (Single-A, South Atlantic League) will host their 11th annual Bruce Springsteen Appreciation Night on July 28.  The team will again sport “BruceClaws” jerseys.  The night includes special promotions and the annual Born to Run…For Beer event before the game.  The E-Street Shuffle plays live as part of the Founder’s Brewing Summer Concert Series beginning at 5 pm.  Learn more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the heads up.

Shorebirds to Change Name to ‘Delmarva Scrapple’ for One Game

PRESS RELEASE – The Delmarva Shorebirds will honor scrapple and play as the Delmarva Scrapple during their game on Saturday, August 18th against the Kannapolis Intimidators. Scrapple is a breakfast meat that is extremely popular on the Delmarva Peninsula and in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Whether you enjoy your scrapple thin and crispy or thick and mushy, on an egg and cheese sandwich, with ketchup, grape jelly, or with maple syrup, this celebration is for you.

BlueClaws to Host Grateful Dead Night

The Lakewood BlueClaws (Single-A, South Atlantic League), will host Grateful Dead Night on Saturday, June 16th.  The team will sport special jerseys.  Splintered Sunlight will play live in the Biergarten from 5 pm – 7 pm as part of the Founders Brewing Summer Concert Series.  Learn more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the heads up.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: SRP Stadium (North Augusta, GA)

Joe Mock of BaseballParks.com recently visited SRP Park, the new home of the Augusta GreenJackets (Single-A, South Atlantic League) in North Augusta (SC).  Mock’s in-depth review checks in at 7,000 words with three-dozen photographs covering everything from ballpark design to fan amenities and concessions.  Read more and view photos here.

Potential New Owners Continue to Eyeball Hagerstown Suns

At least two new groups have emerged with interest in buying the Hagerstown Suns (Single-A, South Atlantic League).
After talks stalled with a different ownership group from Georgia, three more entities have inquired about the minor-league baseball team, including two considered serious suitors.  Read more here.  Meanwhile, the current ownership is seeking a three-year lease extension to continue to use Municipal Stadium.  Read more here.

Augusta GreenJackets Attendance in New Ballpark Looking Good, So Far

While the last game of the Augusta GreenJackets’ (Single-A, South Atlantic League) inaugural four-game home stand at the new SRP Park was postponed because of weather, attendance for the first three games was enough to put the team in fourth place out of 14 teams in the South Atlantic with 5,102 fans per game.  The team averaged 2,743 fans per game in 2017.  Watch a clip of home opener below:

The Grasshoppers’ Going Yard Golden Ale

Check out the official beer of the Grasshoppers: Going Yard Golden Ale! Be sure to try it on Opening Day 🍻⚾️ @Natty_Greenes pic.twitter.com/dwuMbfDqYt

— Greensboro Grasshoppers (@GSOHoppers) April 3, 2018

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Power Bolsters Front Office for 2018 Season

PRESS RELEASE – With the 2018 season fast approaching, the West Virginia Power are proud to announce numerous additions and promotions for the club’s front office staff. The Power have welcomed a new Head Groundskeeper, Account Executive, Suites Coordinator, Food and Beverage Assistant and Operations Assistant, while shifting several staff members into different departments and roles within the organization.

BlueClaws to Debut Biergarten at FirstEnergy Park

As part of a continuing wave of ballpark enhancements, the BlueClaws announced plans for a new BlueClaws Biergarten to debut on April 12th at the team’s home opener.  Read more here. Thanks to John Cerone for the heads up.