The Spartanburgers were a collegiate summer baseball team playing in the Coastal Plain League in 2021. The team played its home games at Duncan Park in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The team, formerly the Gastonia Grizzlies, relocated from Gastonia, North Carolina for the 2021 season.[1][2] The team name, announced in February 2021, was just the one word, not using the city name.[3] On December 21, 2020, Wesley Brown was named head coach.[4] The team played their first game on May 27, 2021, losing at home to the Lexington County Blowfish.[5] The team's mascot was Tom 8-0, a giant ketchup bottle.[6]
| Spartanburgers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Information | |
| League | Coastal Plain League (South) |
| Location | Spartanburg, South Carolina |
| Ballpark | Duncan Park |
| Founded | 2021 |
| Folded | 2022 |
| Former name(s) | Gastonia Grizzlies (2002–2020) |
| Former ballparks | Sims Legion Park (2002–2020) |
| Colors | |
| Mascot | Tom 8-0 |
| Manager | Wesley Brown |
| General Manager | Claudia Padgett |
In March 2022, the Spartanburgers suspended operations for the 2022 season. The Coastal Plain League announcement referenced "financial hardships the former ownership group suffered" due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the expected cost of ballpark renovations.[7]
In May 2023, Diamond Baseball Holdings bought the Down East Wood Ducks of the Carolina League and announced that the team will move to a newly built ballpark in downtown Spartanburg "as early as the 2025 season".[8] The relocated team will be renamed the Hub City Spartanburgers.[9]
References
edit- ^ Hughes, Joe (October 22, 2020). "'The roar is gone': Grizzlies bolt south for new name, fresh start". The Gaston Gazette. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "Spartanburg Team Name Revealed: It's the "SPARTANBURGERS"". Coastal Plain League (Press release). February 18, 2021. Archived from the original on February 18, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ Wyatt, Dustin (February 18, 2021). "New Spartanburg Coastal Plain League baseball team gets a food-themed name". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ "Spartanburg's New Baseball Team Announces Head Coach". South Carolina Baseball (Press release). Coastal Plain League. December 21, 2020. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ Lavender, Chris (May 28, 2021). "Fans fired up for Spartanburgers baseball team on opening night at Duncan Park". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- ^ Swann, Samantha (June 2, 2023). "What should Spartanburg's new baseball team be named? We have some ideas. What are yours?". Spartanburg Herald Journal. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ^ Whisnant, Gabe (March 4, 2022). "Despite postponed season, Spartanburgers coach, city believe in future of CPL baseball". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
- ^ Boschult, Christian (May 23, 2023). "Spartanburg gets a minor league baseball team, plans downtown stadium". The Post and Courier. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ Hill, Benjamin (May 11, 2024). "Well done: Texas affiliate debuts Hub City identity". MiLB.com. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
External links
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