Finalists have been unveiled for the branding of a Traverse City, MI squad that will compete in the summer-collegiate Northwoods League starting in 2019. There are six finalists total, ranging alphabetically from Black Pearls to Sasquatch.
One of the teams joining the Northwoods League in 2019, the Traverse City club is taking the place of the Traverse City Beach Bums (independent; Frontier League) at Wuerfel Park. As part of the process of creating its identity, the team has unveiled a slate of six name finalists, with the monikers selected based on the volume of submissions and their tie-in to Traverse City and Northern Michigan.
Voting opened on Wednesday and runs through Friday, December 14, and will be done as part of team name ranking system. More details on the process can be found here. The names are listed below in alphabetical order, with explanations from the team.
Black Pearls – This one has a double meaning as it is a specific type of cherry but also the ship from The Pirates of the Caribbean. Cherry or Pirate? It’s both! Make sure to check out James Jesse Strang before you ahrrrrrrrgue against this one.
Dogmen – This mythical creature is said to be living in Northern Michigan since the days the Odawa tribe lived along the Manistee River. Is this a doggone good name or what?
Dune Bears – A nod to the Sleeping Bear Dunes legend of Misha Mokwa and the spectacular Sleeping Bear Dunes which has brought international acclaim to the Grand Traverse area. Could we put a replica dune in the outfield?
Pit Spitters – A tribute to the tradition of, well, pit spitting. Could add some fun and games to the ballpark experience!
Tree Shakers – Have you ever seen how the wonderful, tasty cherries are harvested? You shake them! Can you feel the ballpark shakin’ yet?
Sasquatch – Are the rumors true? Is there a Bigfoot in Northern Michigan? Well if we select this name, all of those rumors will be put to rest.
RELATED STORIES: Traverse City Shifts to Northwoods League; Wuerfel Park Sale on Tap; Shift to Northwoods League Expected