The branding of a new Amarillo Class AA Texas League franchise will soon be announced, as a press conference has been scheduled for Tuesday, November 13. The event is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. CT and will be open to season ticket holders, partners, and the media. The reveal will also be broadcasted live on the team’s Facebook page.
“The wait is officially over,” said Amarillo Professional Baseball President and General Manager Tony Ensor. “After months of tireless preparation, we are ready to launch and share one of the most exciting brands in baseball with our fans in Amarillo, the Texas Panhandle and around the globe.”
“It’s been a long haul,” Ensor added. “We have been hard at work and not jerky’ing around. Now that the sod is down on the field, it’s perfect timing to bust into action and scoot into the unveiling of our team brand.”
Amarillo Professional Baseball announced five name finalists in May after receiving thousands of entries during a two-week public sweepstakes. The finalists include Boot Scooters, Bronc Busters, Jerky, Sod Poodles, and Long Haulers. The final judging of the winning team name is based on originality, creativity, uniqueness, regional relevance, and appropriateness for audience.
The five finalists are listed below in alphabetical order, with descriptions from the team:
Amarillo Boot Scooters
The Boot Scooters combines Amarillo’s genuine welcoming attitude with its fun western heritage.
Amarillo Bronc Busters
Amarillo has deep cowboy roots and the Bronc Busters honors the community’s resilient, independent spirit.
Amarillo Jerky
Commemorating its famous cattle drive, there’s only one region that can lay claim to the “Beef Capital of the World.”
Amarillo Long Haulers
Long Haulers celebrates Amarillo’s famous Route 66, open roads, wind-bent trees, and the fun of Minor League Baseball.
Amarillo Sod Poodles
A pioneer’s nickname for “Prairie Dogs,” this fun-loving local animal is very aggressive in protecting its family and home.
Amarillo will open its new downtown ballpark on April 8, 2019 with a game against the Midland RockHounds. The arrival of Minor League Baseball to Amarillo is the result of a move of the former Class AA San Antonio Missions. The Missions name and brand remains in San Antonio, as the former Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) will begin play there next season. This is all part of a series of franchise shifts by the Elmore Sports Group, which has also moved the former Helena Brewers (Rookie; Pioneer League) to Colorado Springs to take the place of the Sky Sox.
RELATED STORIES: Opening Date for New Amarillo Ballpark: April 8; Finalists Unveiled for Amarillo Team Name; Amarillo Ballpark Construction Making Progress; Name The Team Contest on Tap in Amarillo; New Amarillo Ballpark Construction Begins March 5; Ground Broken on New Amarillo Ballpark; Amarillo to Vote on Ballpark Construction Contract; Amarillo Awards Ballpark Construction Contract; Elmore Sports Group Signs Amarillo Ballpark Lease; Amarillo Ballpark Design Concept Receives Approval; Catching Up With Old and New Amarillo Ballparks; First Look at Amarillo Ballpark Concepts; Elmore Sports Group: Three Franchise Shifts in 2019