From 1996 to 2019, the Lowell Spinners were a Short Season Class-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox in the New York–Penn League. The Spinners did not survive Major League Baseball’s 2020 reorganization of Minor League Baseball, which saw the number of affiliated teams reduced from 160 to 120. While
Author: Paul Caputo
Paul Caputo is a grown man who collects plastic ice cream helmet sundaes from minor league baseball stadiums because he likes logos that much. Paul is the host of the Baseball By Design podcast and he is the author of the first book published by SportsLogos.net, The Story Behind the Nickname: The Origins of 100 Classic, Contemporary, and Wacky Minor League Baseball Team Names (also available on Kindle). He can be found on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky at @baseballbydesign, and he maintains the Countdown to Spring Training on Facebook. Paul is a Philadelphia sports fan, but he's not so bad.
Louisville Bats unveil sticky new alternate identity
The Louisville Bats, Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds in the International League, will pay tribute to atmospheric moisture with a new alternate identity for 2026—the Louisville Humidity. The brand centers around an anthropomorphic baseball, sweating profusely and holding a bat and a baseball, which is not anthropomorphic but is
Somerset Patriots to play as Semiquincentennials to commemorate America’s 250th birthday
The Somerset Patriots, Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees in the Eastern League, unveiled a mouthful of an alternate identity this week. The Patriots will play four games next season as the Somerset Semiquincentennials to pay tribute their hometown’s role in the American Revolution. The word semiquincentennial, which means
Richmond Flying Squirrels unveil refreshed brand to go with new ballpark
When the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels move in to their long-awaited new ballpark in 2026, they’ll take the field in duds that offer a fresh take on their familiar brand. The overall feel of the team’s identity first seen in 2008 remains intact, with a superhero flying squirrel set in
Pioneer League expands California footprint with Modesto Glow Riders
The Pioneer League, one of four unaffiliated MLB partner leagues, unveiled its newest team this week, the Modesto Glow Riders. The nickname is an homage to the lowrider car culture found in Modesto, California, and mixes in a tribute to “American Graffiti,” the 1973 George Lucas film that for many
Salem Red Sox rebrand as RidgeYaks in tribute to Blue Ridge Mountains, kayaks
There’s one fewer Minor League team named after its MLB affiliate. The Single-A former Salem Red Sox will be known as the “RidgeYaks” in 2026.
Windy City ThunderBolts unveil electric new look
The Windy City ThunderBolts, an independent professional baseball team in the Frontier League, will enter the 2026 with a new look for the first time in 20 years. The team, which plays in the suburbs of Chicago’s South Side, unveiled a suite of new logos and uniforms this week. The
“6-7!” Baseball Team to Play a Game Wearing “Six Seven” Uniforms in 2026
The inscrutable viral trend that is six-seven has seeped its way into the world of baseball uniforms by way of a new alternate identity in 2026.
Frederick Keys Unveil New Logos for Return to Affiliated Minor League Baseball in 2026
Named for Francis Scott Key, the newest Baltimore Orioles affiliate have a new logo set featuring a literal set of keys as they join the South Atlantic League for the 2026 season.
Winston-Salem Dash Spice Things Up, Will play as Carolina Reapers in 2026
The White Sox High-A club will be smokin’ in 2026 with this spicy new alternate identity featuring scoville-gradient jerseys and a Grim Reaper cap complete with pepper scythe.
Banana Ball League adds Indianapolis Clowns and Loco Beach Coconuts
The Banana Ball universe expanded from four teams to six with the addition of two new teams this week. The league—now formally called the Banana Ball Championship League—introduced the Indianapolis Clowns and Loco Beach Coconuts, who will join the Party Animals, Firefighters, Texas Tailgaters, and of course the Savannah Bananas
Northwoods League unveils Richmond Flying Mummies
The newest team in the collegiate summer level Northwoods League will be the Richmond Flying Mummies. The team—not to be confused with the Triple-A Richmond Flying Squirrels, who play in Richmond, Virginia—pays homage to two distinct aspects of the heritage of Richmond, Indiana. The “Flying” portion of the nickname is