The Amarillo Sod Poodles, one of the most talked-about new minor league baseball brands this season, have taken their grimacing logo and turned him into the team mascot. Ruckus is an oversize prairie dog (Sod Poodles is an obscure, or possibly completely fabricated, slang term for prairie dogs, which are prevalent in the area), complete with an oversized hat and an oversized Texas belt buckle.
The name Ruckus was selected by local elementary school students, who chose it over other finalists, Digger and Yappy. The mascot is a considerably less menacing prairie dog than the one featured in the logo.
“Ruckus will be a mascot for kids of all ages, five to 105,” said Sod Poodles President and General Manager Tony Ensor, quoted on MiLB.com. “It was only fitting that our local elementary students had a hand in bringing our loveable character to life. His mischievous personality and true-to-life features are sure to make him a fan favorite all around Amarillo and the Panhandle.”
The Sod Poodles nickname and the suite of logos designed by Brandiose received a ton of attention in the offseason when they were announced back in November. The team, a Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, has carried that momentum to the brink of the regular season. I can attest to that personally, as I went online to buy tickets just minutes after single-game tickets went on sale this morning and pickings were already pretty slim.
Ruckus will make his public debut March 16 at the NAHL junior hockey Amarillo Bulls game, who will be wearing Sod Poodles–themed jerseys.
