Two new names added to choices for Battle Creek's new baseball team
Battle Creek baseball fans were given seven choices and had a week to vote for their favorite name for the new Northwoods League franchise that will play this summer at C.O. Brown Stadium.
If some fans didn't like any of the choices, the team is providing two new options.
The Battle Creek Battle Jacks and the Battle Creek Blue Collars are now in the mix.
MORE: No more Bombers — Battle Creek getting new baseball team
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 names for fans to vote on last week, the team announced Tuesday that it was changing course and announced four finalists, including two new names that were not included in last week's reveal.
Those final four include two that were in the initial list of seven options — Crunchers and Doughnuts.
“The response has been more than we could have imagined," new team owner Brian Colopy said. "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."
The team has now revealed a "Final Four" bracket with the four choices fans will have as options in the vote, which begins today and will end on Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. Fans can visit the team's website to pick their favorite name.
Here are the new descriptions for the team name options:
Battle Jacks: The Battle Creek Battle Jacks pays respect to the highest submitted team name, the “Battle Cats” in a new, fun way. The Battle Cats was the name of the original minor league baseball team in town, however that name is not currently an option due to various reasons. With ties to the city’s cereal background, according to the team, Jacks can refer to the popular Kellogg’s cereal, “Apple Jacks”. A “jack of all trades” is also a figure of speech referring 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, 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 while enjoying the favorite morning meal of many each day.
Doughnuts: Battle Creek Doughnuts pays homage to the "Doughboys," who passed through the Army training center at Fort Custer, formerly known as Camp Custer during World War I. Also, a baseball "doughnut" is a weighted ring that fits over the end of a baseball bat, used for warm-up swings during a game. Finally, nicknamed the "breakfast capital of the world," the Battle Creek area is home to numerous bakeries and donut shops.
Choices that did not make the cut from the initial list of seven were the Balloon Animals, Cowbells, Nut Smugglers, Thunder Chickens and Sugartails.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Two names added to choices for Battle Creek's new baseball team
