New branding for the current Buies Creek Astros (High A; Carolina League) is slated to be revealed this summer, ahead of the team’s 2019 move to a new Fayetteville ballpark.
Construction continues on the Fayetteville ballpark, and it remains on schedule to open next year. The Astros, meanwhile, have been expected to unveil new branding ahead of the facility’s opening. Last summer, the team unveiled five finalists in a name the team contest for Fayetteville, with the candidates including Fatbacks, Fly Traps, Jumpers, Wood Dogs, and Woodpeckers.
It was at one point anticipated that the new name could be unveiled this month, but that no longer appears to be the case. Team officials–including president Mark Zarthar–are indicating that a brand launch will be held this summer. The team is still sorting through its options, citing the need to take the time to make the right decision. More from The Fayetteville Observer:
“That is our next peak moment in engaging with the city of Fayetteville,″ Zarthar said about the naming process. “We’re looking forward to a brand launch event sometime this summer. Right now we’re still evaluating options to make sure we make the right decision. This is a long-term decision, so we want to make sure we make the right one for the team and the city.″
Five potential team nicknames were suggested in a contest conducted among fans and revealed last June. More than 1,400 entries were submitted with the five finalists being the Fatbacks, Fly Traps, Jumpers, Wood Dogs and Woodpeckers.
Zarthar said the decision on the name is “still in flux″ as the organization evaluates how each possibility might work with team branding.
“There are a lot of moving parts in finalizing a team brand,″ Zarthar said. “It’s more than a team name. It’s about uniform design, what the team stands for, logos, merchandising. We’re just trying to get every detail right.″
Billed as the anchor of a larger downtown development project, the $37.8-million Fayetteville ballpark remains on schedule to open at the beginning of the 2019 season. In the meantime, the Astros will play their home games at Campbell University’s Jim Perry Stadium. The club played there in 2017 as well.
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