The collegiate summer level Minot Hot Tots’ identity does not exactly instill fear. Pretty much the worst thing the tater tot mascot can do to an opponent is cause elevated cholesterol levels.
So when the team set out to create an alternate identity for a series of “What Might Have Been” nights at the ballpark, they turned to a brand that was a bit more imposing than junk food. The five finalists in the franchise’s name-the-team-contest before the 2023 season were Hot Tots, Night Owls, Dak Rats, Why Nots, and Berserkers. Of course, Hot Tots won out in the original contest, but Berzerkers was a close contender.
With that in mind, the Hot Tots announced this week that they’ll play three games this season as the Berzerkers. The term derives from Norse word berserk, which means “bear-shirt.” The brand pays tribute to the Scandinavian heritage in North Dakota with a logo that portrays a viking wearing a bear pelt while wielding an axe and a war horn.
“When we announced our real name last season, the comments were mostly positive, but we had a few people that mentioned wanting a name that was more fierce, scary, or intimidating,” said Hot Tots General Manager and Managing Partner Monica Hocking, quoted on the team’s website. “This is our way of giving those people what they want, and getting to take on an alternate identity that is completely different then what fans are used to.”
The Berzerkers will take the field June 6, June 20, and August 1.
