Logo/Mascot Profile ]

ATY0405p014-023 2/18/05 3:47 PM Page 15 [ Logo/Mascot Profile ] Mascot and Logo of the Greensboro Grasshoppers N THE WORLD OF MINOR examination—has more significance LEAGUE BASEBALL, THERE than it initially reveals. For starters, IEXISTS A CONSTANT COMPE- Grasshoppers are green—a blatant ref- TITION amongst all 160 teams to erence to the city they play for: produce the trendiest and most Greensboro. The word “grasshopper” eccentric baseball caps around. also contains several allusions to the Thus, with every season comes a game of baseball. Baseball is played on lengthy lineup of new names and logos; grass, and a common term for a routine, teams vying to capture fans’ attention bouncing infield groundball is a “one- nationwide and become the minor hopper.” Perhaps the most surprising league logo du jour. With this in mind, part of the new team name is its the Single-A Greensboro, N.C., fran- historical significance! During the Civil chise decided it was time to establish a War, several battles were fought in new image—a unique identity that Greensboro and the surrounding areas; would be an instant hit with baseball one of the weapons used in these fans across America. battles was a cannon nicknamed “the Greensboro’s management spent grasshopper” for the way it lurched a great deal of time contemplating forward and backward when it fired. a new identity. The goal in the “We want people to be able to iden- renaming process was bluntly stated by tify with the team name,” said Howe, Greensboro’s general manager, Tom of the most important reason that Howe: “We wanted to be different.” the Grasshoppers were selected as “Different” could have easily been Greensboro’s new identity. The name is achieved with wacky nicknames such most certainly fun and can be appreciat- Photographs Photographs Courtesy of the Grasshoppers Greensboro as the Regulators, Hit Men, Tree Frogs, ed by children and families alike. Guilford in Greensboro or Dirt Bags; yet, in the end, it was the The new Grasshoppers logo is sure Grasshoppers that prevailed. to be one of the most popular minor While Greensboro is not home league logos on the market come to an abundant grasshopper popula- springtime. There is nothing very intri- tion, the new nickname—upon closer cate about it—a cartoon grasshopper, AT THE YARD | April 2005 15 ATY0405p014-023 2/18/05 3:47 PM Page 16 [ Logo/Mascot Profile ] surrounded by a white letter G, throws moved to Greensboro where they have Horizon Park “home.” After reviewing a baseball. The green grasshopper remained ever since. The team was over 300 entries in their “Name the sports a white hat with an orange G on known as the Hornets and played under Mascot” contest, Grasshoppers man- it as well, encompassing the team’s the Reds, Red Sox and Yankees for var- agement dubbed their life-size bug three primary colors. ious stints over the next 14 years. In Guilford; a tribute to Guilford County, While the 2005 season marks the 1993, the team switched names once the third-largest county in North beginning of the Grasshopper era, it is again, this time to the Greensboro Bats. Carolina and home to Greensboro! merely the latest chapter of baseball Like the Grasshoppers, the appropriate Sporting an orange jersey of his history in Greensboro. Professional allusion to baseball in the team nick- favorite team, Guilford will be hopping baseball in the North Carolina city name made it cute, but not a nation- around First Horizon Park at all of the dates back to the turn of the 20th wide hit. Nevertheless, the Bats played Grasshoppers’ home games. Ironically, century and fans have enjoyed Minor Single-A ball under the Yankees for 10 and quite comically, the locally owned League Baseball in War Memorial seasons before switching to the Florida Pest Management Systems, Inc. has Stadium since 1926 when the Marlins. The Grasshoppers will assume signed on to sponsor the giant insect! Greensboro Patriots first opened the the role of the Marlins’ Single-A affiliate A final heads up to all Grasshopper facility. this season. fans! After designing Guilford, Sugar The Grasshoppers’ roots do not, Not coincidently, the Bats’ final Mascots, Inc. (located in Toronto, however, trace back to the Patriots season was also the final season Ontario) is currently working with of the “Roaring Twenties.” In fact, for World War Memorial Stadium. Greensboro once again to possibly add the original Grasshoppers played in “We knew we wanted a new identity two more members to the Grasshopper Greenville, S.C. Before becoming the to go along with the new ballpark,” family. Keep your eyes out for more South Atlantic (Sally) League, the said Howe of the team’s drastic off- critters at First Horizon Park! Western Carolinas League represented season makeover. The newly anointed [] Eric Karlan Single-A ball from 1963-1979. In the Grasshoppers will play their home same year the league was started, games in the brand new First Horizon FF! the Greenville Braves celebrated their Park. With a low outfield wall, fans S O inaugural season. For the next 10 years can take in a picturesque view of down- HAT the team remained in Greenville, serv- town Greensboro while watching the ing as a farm team for the Braves game in any of the stadium’s picnic (’63-64), Mets (’65-66), Red Sox (’67-71) areas or 5,300 seats. First Horizon Park and Rangers (’72); the club was always also boasts one of the largest video << home named after their parent team. In 1973, scoreboards in the minor leagues—a the team relocated to Charleston, whopping 66 feet tall and 48 feet wide! became the Pirates, and remained there While the players will only use the until the birth of the Sally League. field for home games, there is one In 1979, the Charleston Pirates grasshopper that will literally call First road >> THE Guilford the Grasshopper STATS Height: 6'1" ON Weight: 200 lbs. << alternate Throws: Right Bats: Right Resides: First Horizon Park batting Born: Greensboro, N.C. practice >> 16 AT THE YARD | The Game Starts Here.

Load more