GASTONIA, N.C. — Thursday is opening day for Gastonia's new baseball team that replaced the Honey Hunters after financial issues doomed the club's existence.
The Gastonia Baseball Club will play against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in a four-game series beginning on Thursday. WCNC Charlotte's Brittany Van Voorhees will throw out the first pitch and there will be a post-game fireworks show.
As for the team's name, there isn't one yet.
For opening day and the entire 2024 season, the Gastonia Baseball Club will be known as just that. However, for at least a week, the team will be called the Gastonia Gastronauts. The team introduced the Gastronauts concept earlier this week with a space-themed video on Facebook. The team even said the Gastronauts name is only temporary.
The club wants to test at least eight possible ideas for a permanent name, Gastronauts included.
Throughout the team's first season, there will be eight "What If" nights, where attendees will hear the possible permanent names for the 2025 season and beyond. The homestands will feature limited-edition merchandise and a giveaway as well.
The Gastonia Baseball Club field manager, Mauro "Goose" Gozzo says the community deserves to be a part of the new era of baseball they're building.
Fans aren't worried about a team name but looking forward to an exciting season.
“You don’t have to have a team name to play. Just need the players," Gastonia resident Tonia Barber told WCNC Charlotte.
Rick Curti is excited as well.
“They’re doing the right thing because they got this team in such a hurry and they didn’t have time for trademarks and they want the people of the city to name it," Curti said. "They’ve got a whole season. They have this whole ‘what if’ program. Right now they’re the gastronauts, next month they’ll be something different. Giving people a ‘What do you think about this name?’ They’re giving people options which is the right thing to do.”
"We’re excited with the club that we’ve got," Gozzo said. "A lot of really good athletes, an exciting brand of ball and new ownership. We want the fans to be part of the naming rights and part of what we're trying to build now."
Gastonia Baseball Club "What If" night schedule:
- May 14-19 (which will be the Gastronauts theme)
- June 4-9
- July 26-28
- Aug. 2-4
- Aug. 16-18
- Aug. 23-25
- Aug. 30-Sept. 1
- Sept. 13-14
Fans can also continue to submit ideas for a name on the team's website.
The team also has a full slate of themes for the season, including Retro Night, Veterans Appreciation, '90s Party, Wizard Night, Margaritaville Night, and Christmas in July.
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