BallCorps wants ideas for baseball team’s name

MADISON – After a record-setting groundbreaking on June 11, BallCorps LLC is inviting residents to enter the “Name the Team” contest.

BallCorps officials hope that community members with a creative flair will suggest names for North Alabama’s new minor-league baseball team. Through June 23, baseball fans can submit suggestions for the team’s name at NorthAlabamaBaseball.com.

Madison Police Department officers and BallCorps officials estimated the crowd size at the June 11 celebration between 1,500 and 2,000 people. Pat O’Conner, President of Minor League Baseball, stated that he had never witnessed attendance of this size at any groundbreaking during his long career.

Ralph Nelson, Managing Partner and CEO of BallCorps LLC, expressed the organization’s sincere gratitude. “We are humbled by the amazing support of the people of North Alabama at our first event,” Nelson said. “We would like to thank the City of Madison, Madison County, Iberia Bank, Buffalo Rock and so many others for working together with us on this wonderful day.”

In late June, BallCorps will announce the top seven to 10 suggestions in the Name the Team contest. Fans will be invited to vote for one of the top team names. A final name will be unveiled in August.

The fan who submits an entry that ultimately is selected will receive season tickets for the first five years, along with a team jersey and an opportunity to throw out a first pitch for a game in the 2020 season.

The contest is open only to legal residents of Alabama and Tennessee who are 18 years old or older at the time of contest entry. For more contest information, visit NorthAlabamaBaseball.com.

In other news, BallCorps will honor vouchers for a commemorative baseball. The supply of baseballs ran out on June 11, due to overwhelming support by fans at the groundbreaking.

Individuals can trade vouchers starting June 18 at IberiaBank locations in Madison and Huntsville. Visit IberiaBank during regular business hours at 53 Hughes Road in Madison; 400 Meridian Street, Suite 108 in Huntsville; and 4700 Whitesburg Drive, Suite 150 in Huntsville.