BATTLE CREEK, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – After feedback from the community, the Battle Creek baseball team has announced changes to the finalists in the Name the Team contest.
After initially presenting seven potential team names for fans to vote on last week, the team announced Tuesday that they are changing course and announced four finalists, including two new names that were not included in last week’s reveal.
“The response has been more than we could have imagined,” new team owner Brian Colopy said in a statement. “Just like in baseball, sometimes you take a big swing and you miss. We are stepping back in the box for another at bat. I can’t thank our fans and key partners enough for their feedback. We told the community that they were going to name the team and we meant it.”
Two team names remain from the initial list of finalists: Crunchers and Doughnuts.
There are also two newcomers that fans will be able to vote for: Blue Collars and Battle Jacks.
Information about each possible team name was provided to WKZO, and can be read as follows:
Battle Jacks
The Battle Creek Battle Jacks pays respect to the highest submitted team name, the “Battle Cats” in a new, fun way. With ties to the city’s cereal background, Jacks can refer to the popular Kellogg’s cereal “Apple Jacks.” A “Jack of All Trades” is also a figure of speech to someone with multiple skills which is prevalent for many community members in the Battle Creek area. Finally, in baseball, a “Jack” is a popular term for a home run.
Blue Collars
The Battle Creek Blue Collars was another top team name submission, and emphasizes the resiliency and toughness of the people living in the Battle Creek area. Also a tie to the many skilled trades and blue collar jobs in the community, “Blue Collar” cities like Battle Creek take pride in their hard work and dedication to their craft just like the baseball players who call the Cereal City home each summer.
Crunchers
Well renowned for being the birthplace of the cereal industry, the Battle Creek “Crunchers” signifies the sound made as one enjoys their favorite morning meal each day. Home to Kelloggs and Post, cereal production has been a major cornerstone to the community since the late 1800’s. This name also plays off the sound the bat can make when hitting the ball with force during the game.
Doughnuts
Battle Creek Doughnuts pays homage to the “Dough Boys” who passed through the Army training center at Camp Custer in World War I. Thousands of young American men received their first taste of military life here and enjoyed the generous hospitality of the townspeople. Also, a baseball “Doughnut” is a weighted ring that fits over the end of a baseball bat, used for warming up during a baseball game. Finally, nicknamed the “breakfast capital” of the world, the Battle Creek area is home to numerous bakeries and donut shops.
How to Vote
The new Final Four Team Name Vote will begin on Tuesday, December 7 at 10:00 a.m. and will end on Tuesday, December 14 at 5:00 p.m.
To vote, fans can simply visit the team’s website to pick their favorite team name. Votes will be tallied and once the winning name is selected, the team will schedule a reveal party to present the new name and logo to the community for the very first time.
For voting, fans will be entered into a drawing to win one of 25 Battle Creek Baseball hats or one of 10 limited edition Battle Creek Baseball t-shirts.
To gain additional entries into the drawing, fans can do the following:
- Reserve their 5-Game Plan for the 2022 season by calling Alex at 269-962-0735
- Share your favorite team name finalist on the official team Facebook page
- Like and share our “Team Name Finalist Vote” on Facebook
More information can be found online at www.northwoodsleague.com/battle-creek-bombers.
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