The Class A minor league baseball franchise known as the Beloit Snappers for the last quarter-century revealed five finalists for their new name over the course of this week. Fans will have the opportunity to vote on the team’s website on the options listed below.
Every time a minor league team changes names, it faces backlash from fans of the existing brand, and this rebrand has been no exception. In the face of that resistance, the team released an interview with Quint Studer of new franchise owner Gateway Professional Baseball, who explained that the team needs revenue generated by a rebrand to support a new stadium.
“We looked at the history of Beloit Snapper merchandise and the team has averaged about $50,000 yearly in sales,” Studer said, quoted on the team’s website. “That simply hasn’t been enough to cover the costs of maintaining the stadium. We’ve estimated that a new team name will generate around $300,000 in year one and about $200,000 annually after that.”
It’s worth noting that there’s precedent for teams conducting a fan vote and then going with a name that was not among the finalists. This happened with the Gwinnett Stripers and Rocky Mountain Vibes, both of whom worked with Brandiose, which is also creating Beloit’s new brand.
That said, the five finalists are listed below, with descriptions quoted from the ballot itself.
“Beloit Cheeseballs: Residing in the nation’s cheese capital, dive into the cheese life with the Beloit Cheeseballs. Producing over three billion pounds in 2019, Wisconsin has been America’s largest cheese-producing state for over 100 years straight years. The New York Times once wrote about Wisconsin that “Cheese is the state’s history, its pride, its self-deprecating, sometimes goofy, cheesehead approach to life” and the Beloit Cheeseballs will add a fun new slice to Wisconsin’s cheesy pride.”
“Beloit Moo: With its affectionate “America’s Dairyland” nickname, over 1.2 million dairy cows call Wisconsin home, living on more than 7,000 dairy farms across the state. Cows help power a bovine-based economy in the region, helping Wisconsin hold a leading spot in the production of cheese, milk, and agricultural products across the nation. Pay homage to the farmers whose fields surround Beloit and the cows that help feed families across America with this catchy team name.”
“Beloit Polka Pike: Wisconsin residents have been tapping their toes to polka, the state’s official dance, as long as they’ve been pulling fearsome pike from the Rock River. Grab your accordion and your fishing pole and head to the ballpark where every night will be a music-filled festival as the Polka Pike pay tribute to the river that neighbors the stadium and the state’s history.”
“Beloit Sky Carp: A slang term for a goose that would rather stay home in Beloit in the winter than migrate south, the Sky Carp name whimsically represents the future of our city, a flourishing, innovative town so strong that no one wants to leave. With the new stadium’s riverside views, flyovers from flocks of sky carp will be common at games for years to come. Join the gaggle of geese fans as this creative team name takes flight next year.”
“Beloit Supper Clubbers: From relish trays to Old Fashioneds, supper clubs represent an iconic and traditional part of our region’s culinary character. Just like our new ballpark will, supper clubs serve as a popular gathering spot for families young and old, offering great food, great music, and great times night after night. Join the club and place your order for extra fun in 2021.”
The vote will close Friday, September 25.
