That’s seriously their name? Out in left field sport team titles
Andrew Davidson, Sports Writer
Did someone say Rocket City Trash Pandas?
You have most likely heard of The New England Patriots, The Boston Red Sox and the Golden State Warriors, but there are many teams and mascots across the country, however, that you probably have never heard of.
The Modesto Nuts are a single-A minor league baseball team for the Seattle Mariners. They are located in Modesto, California, a small town East of San Jose. The team was founded in 1946 and was named after several types of nuts that are grown in the area.
In the town of Amarillo, Texas is a minor league baseball team called The Amarillo Sod Poodles. According to an article in the Texas Standard, a sod poodle is an old-fashioned nickname for a prairie dog. Also known as the Soddles, the Sod Poodles are affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and made their Double-A debut at Hodgetown in 2019.
The next team is located in Normal, Illinois, though I can assure you that this team is far from normal. They are called the Normal CornBelters and are a minor league baseball team that is not affiliated with any major league teams. The CornBelters are a program entirely based around a stock of corn.
The Akron Rubber Ducks are yet another minor league baseball team located in Akron, Ohio. They are affiliated with the Cleveland Guardians and compete in the Eastern League. They play in Canal Park, which seats 7,630 fans, in downtown Akron.
Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the Carolina Disco Turkeys are a minor league baseball team that compete in the All-American Amateur Baseball Association. They play in Truist Stadium in downtown Winston-Salem.
Just like baseball, many minor league hockey teams have unique mascots.
The Syracuse Crunch play at the Upstate Medical University Arena in Syracuse, New York. They were originally named the Hamilton Canucks but renamed to the Crunch in 1994 by public vote. They compete in the American Hockey League and are a development affiliate to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Toledo Walleye are a professional team located in Toledo, Ohio. Originally known as the Toledo Storm, the Walleye have competed in the Central Division of the Western Conference since birth in 1991.
In Orlando, Florida, the Orlando Solar Bears were founded in 2012. They are one of three ECHL teams in Florida, the others being: The Florida Everblades and The Jacksonville Icemen.
The Wheeling Nailers are another professional hockey team affiliated with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
North Greenville Students are encouraged to support the local minor league baseball and hockey teams that are right here in Greenville.
Many students support and have heard of the Greenville Drive. They are a minor league baseball team affiliated with the Boston Red Sox. They play at Fluor Field in the West End of the city, so help Reedy Rip’it cheer on the Greenville Drive.
But Greenville, South South Carolina also has a local hockey team called the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. They compete at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in downtown Greenville.
Get out there to try something new and support a sport team you have never heard of. You never know when your new favorite team could end up representing a disco turkey.
