Every era of baseball has had its crazy, ridiculous quirks. In the earliest days of the game, you could get a baserunner out by pegging him with a thrown ball. Until 1863, a batter was out if a fly ball was caught on one bounce. And in 1973, rules makers
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.
Daytona Tortugas add new logo
The Daytona Tortugas, who already lay claim to one of the best brands in minor league baseball, introduced a sweet new alternate logo for the 2018 season. The announcement came by way of social media this morning. BREAKING: Tortugas announce a NEW alternate logo! Be the first to wear the
Binghamton Rumble Ponies to celebrate Jurassic Ballpark Night
The Binghamton Rumbleponies, a Double-A Mets affiliate named for the city’s preponderance of carousels, will commemorate the 25th anniversary of Jurassic Park with “Jurassic Ballpark Night” which will feature, according to the team’s promotional schedule, “specialty caps, jerseys and an appearance by Dakota and Friends.” The Brandiose-designed logo features a
Augusta GreenJackets unveil new uniforms and mascot
The Augusta GreenJackets, fresh off a plaid-splashed rebrand during the offseason, have unveiled a new mascot and suite of understated new uniforms for the 2018 season. Fuego Giants Sunday Hats 🔥🔥🔥 🛒: https://t.co/OgcpGgx7Ho pic.twitter.com/ZRiapOg0gx — Augusta GreenJackets (@GreenJackets) February 28, 2018 The new look, which comes from Brandiose, features classic
Timber Rattlers to play a game as Wisconsin Brats
The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Single-A affiliate of the nearby Milwaukee Brewers, will play a game as the Wisconsin Brats June 9, joining an increasingly long list of minor league teams taking on promotional identities based on local food specialties. Brats, short for the German “brätwurst,” which translates to “finely chopped
Storm Chasers to play game as Omaha Runzas
The Omaha Storm Chasers, Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, are the latest minor league baseball team to adopt a local food item as a temporary team name. For one game on June 9, the Storm Chasers will become the Omaha Runzas. Runzas—which also go by the names bierock,
33 MiLB teams to feature Spanish-language brands in 2018
Minor League Baseball teams in 33 cities will adopt Spanish-language promotional identities throughout the upcoming season as part of the league’s “Copa de la Diversión” (“Fun Cup”) initiative. MiLB introduced the program in four markets late last season, when the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s played as the Reyes de Plata
Corpus Christi Hooks honor Navy with Blue Ghosts promotion
The Corpus Christi Hooks, double-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, bucked the trend in minor league baseball by announcing a temporary promotional identity NOT based on a local food item. (The Corpus Christi Whataburgers?) Instead, the Hooks will pay tribute to their local Naval heritage with the nickname Corpus Christi
Phillies classic powder blues will return in 2018
The Philadelphia Phillies will wear throwback powder-blue uniforms for “select Thursday home games” in 2018, per an announcement from the team. A close look at the Phils’ schedule reveals that there are eight Thursday games in Philadelphia this season, including their home opener April 5, so based on the wording
Hartford Yard Goats to play a game as Steamed Burgers
The Hartford Yard Goats, double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, are the latest minor league team to adopt a promotional food-based identity. Continuing a trend masterfully set by the wildly successful Fresno Grizzlies’ and their alternate Tacos identity back in 2015, the Yard Goats announced that they would play a
Nice. Rangers backup goalie wears #69 McBackup jersey
The number 69 gets a lot of attention on social media. Every time it’s mentioned, it seems to garner a big response. As well it should. The number suggests teamwork and cooperation and mutually shared goals—perfect for a sports jersey. It’s a number that makes everyone feel good, a real
Norwegian curling pants are on the button again
With the Winter Olympics underway in the Republic of Korea, it’s time for what has quickly become a quadrennial tradition: checking in on the stylings of curling standout, the team from Norway. Curling competition got underway before the official opening ceremony, and will last for over two weeks. Curling, “the