Top Menu

Columbia name-the-team contest extended

Minor League Baseball logoThe name-the-team contest for a new Columbia (S.C.) Minor League Baseball team has been extended nine more days, until Friday, October 24.

Since the Name Our Team contest was first announced on September 29, the team has received more than 1,300 suggestions on ColumbiaProBall.com.

“As expected, folks throughout the Midlands have come through with an overwhelming number of creative and strong name ideas,” said Jason Freier, Chairman and CEO of Hardball Capital and managing owner of the team. “There are several submissions already which we think could be ‘the one,’ but we want to allow fans one last chance to be involved in this momentous decision.”

To aid the naming process, representatives of the team have recently met with members of the community in Columbia to gather their input directly. From elementary school kids to college students to young professionals to historians and all in between, the goal is to have Columbia’s character exemplified in its new baseball team.

“We’re looking for something local, unique, and fun,” said Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations Abby Naas. “Columbia has so much going for it. We want to make sure our name stands out from the rest in Minor League Baseball.”

Fans now have nine more days to visit ColumbiaProBall.com where they can submit a team name idea and a short explanation for why. Though entries must go through ColumbiaProBall.com, fans are also talking about the contest on social media using the #NameOurTeam hashtag.

The Name Our Team contest winner, along with the team’s logo and colors, will be unveiled in the dpring of 2015. The fan whose submission leads to the team’s new name will be given the honor to throw out a ceremonial first pitch on the Opening Night of the ballpark. The fan also will receive a prize package including an official team cap and jersey, as well as tickets to Opening Night. (If more than one fan submits the winning name idea, one of those fans will be randomly chosen.)

Columbia’s new professional baseball team will take the field in April, 2016 at a spectacular new venue that will anchor upcoming downtown development on Bull Street.

RELATED STORIES: Populous lands Columbia ballpark design contract; Savannah to Columbia? Relo paperwork filed; Columbia approves new-ballpark project; Columbia approves new ballpark; Columbia mayor: We have votes to fund new ballpark; New Columbia ballpark receives initial city approval; Columbia ballpark proposal up for vote today; Freier: We’re still pursuing new Savannah ballpark; Columbia lease negotiations underway; opposition arises; Columbia moves forward — cautiously — with ballpark planning; Freier: I may acquire new team for Columbia; Tanner: College, pro baseball can co-exist in Columbia; Freier: We could open new Columbia ballpark in 2015; New ballpark feasible for Columbia: study; This year should determine future of Sand Gnats; Columbia to study ballpark sites, feasibility; Sand Gnats exploring Columbia move?; Will pro baseball return to Columbia?Final days for Cap City StadiumShanahan: Blowfish negotiating move to Lexington CountyColumbia sells Capital City Stadium siteLooking back at Cap City StadiumClass A ball returning to Columbia?Columbia sells Capital City Stadium; Wal-Mart on the wayFuture of Columbia baseball in play

, , , , ,