Burmy Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/200...ws/mj150261.txtAvon picks top choices for new pro team nameWednesday, October 22, 2008 7:11 AM EDTBy ALAN INGRAMaingram@MorningJournal.comAVON ? Baseball fans now have an idea of who they'll root, root, root for when they head out to a ball game in Avon next summer.The list of possible names for the Frontier League team that will begin play in Avon next year is down to five ? the Ohio Groove, the Lorain County Ironmen, the Avon Red Tails, the Cleveland Artichokes and the Lake Erie Crushers. Fans can vote for the team name at www.avonprobaseball.com beginning this morning. An end date for the contest has not yet been determined, said Nicolle Meyer, director of Community and Media Relations for Avon Professional Baseball. The Morning Journal is sponsoring the Name the Team Contest."The community's response has been incredible," APB General Manager Ryan Gates said in a press release. "Fans put a lot of thought into their entries. Not only were many of the names extremely creative, but fans also took the time to explain the name's significance to the region, providing valuable insight in to the history and culture of the area that we can incorporate into our overall brand. Thanks to the wide pool of names, we were able to select the very best of the best."The initial phase of the naming contest drew 817 entries, Meyer said. There were some entries that repeated, even when it came to the finalists.While only one person suggested the Ohio Groove and Cleveland Artichokes, two people suggested the Lake Erie Crushers, four people suggested the Avon Red Tails and five people suggested the Lorain County Ironmen.According to information from Avon Professional Baseball, the Ohio Groove name symbolizes Cleveland's rock and roll history and the glacial grooves at Kelleys Island. The Lake Erie Crushers recognizes the vineyards in Lorain County and crushing grapes to make wine.The Avon Red Tails name is in honor of the red tail hawk that is around Lorain County and near the team's new stadium at Interstate 90 and SR 611. The Lorain County Ironmen name would recognize Lorain County's industrial history.The name Cleveland Artichokes symbolizes that the area has soil that is good for growing vegetables.The committee that selected the finalists' names included the team's front office staff and the owners' family and children. Input was also gathered from local community members and organizations, Meyer said."The winner is going to receive a fantastic prize package of tickets and merchandise, and they will be recognized at a home game next summer," she said.If the chosen name was suggested by more than one person, they will not all get a prize package, Meyer said. A random drawing was conducted, so only one person will get credit for the name.Avon Professional Baseball hopes to unveil the results of the contest, as well as the logo, before Thanksgiving, she said. Plan B Branding will start design concepts for all five of the team name finalists.Ohio Groove: Could work-great ties to the Rock n' Roll Hall of FameLorain County Ironmen: So, is Robert Downey Jr. going to throw out the first pitch?Avon Red Tails: Yes. If there's one type of mascot baseball loves, it's a bird.Cleveland Artichokes: NO WAY. 1) That's a good way to get bypassed for the Indians, 2) I can see too many bad jokes being made about themLake Erie Crushers: Sorry, but the name explanation makes me think that the team will specialize on making the ball hit a certain spot (at that point, the opposing team could be called the Steers)Your thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burmy Posted October 22, 2008 Author Share Posted October 22, 2008 EDIT: Went to the team's website: found out you could actually choose which locality you want (Avon, Cleveland, Lorain County, Lake Erie, Ohio).Also, there are two additional names:Walleyes (This freshwater fish, native to the area, gets its name from the fact that their eyes, like those of cats, reflect light.)Woollies (The Woollybear is the local caterpillar celebrated with much fanfare at the Woollybear Festival in Lorain County. In much the same way Punxsutawney Phil is celebrated in the century-old tradition of Groundhog Day in which he predicts the end of winter, the Woollybear Caterpillar is similarly celebrated for its mythical association to winter forecasting.)Anybody else ready to root for the Lorain County Woollies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Needschat Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Ohio Groove: Could work-great ties to the Rock n' Roll Hall of FameLorain County Ironmen: So, is Robert Downey Jr. going to throw out the first pitch?Avon Red Tails: Yes. If there's one type of mascot baseball loves, it's a bird.Cleveland Artichokes: NO WAY. 1) That's a good way to get bypassed for the Indians, 2) I can see too many bad jokes being made about themLake Erie Crushers: Sorry, but the name explanation makes me think that the team will specialize on making the ball hit a certain spot (at that point, the opposing team could be called the Steers)Your thoughts?Ohio Groove - sounds like what Bernie Kosar should have renamed his Arena Football League teamLorain County Ironmen - Pittsburgh and Birmingham are more known for iron and steel works, New Jersey Ironmen exist already in XSLAvon Red Tails - Best of the five, baseball loves bird namesCleveland Artichokes - HELL NO!!! Lake Erie Crushers - naah, have had many a team named that already.Guess they didn't like my Spiders nickname Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sodboy13 Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 I'm all for the Red Tails or the Artichokes. Though "Let's Go Chokes!" would be a less than inspiring chant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burmy Posted October 22, 2008 Author Share Posted October 22, 2008 What do you think of the Walleyes and Woolies nicknames? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McCall Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 The Cleveland "Art-of-Chokes". Guess they'd want to immortalize the 2007 ALCS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eRay Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 I seem to only be able to select the location name or the nickname. I thought you could pair whatever location with whatever nickname you wanted. Red Tails it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jigga Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Avon Red Tails has to be the winner. Sounds classy...well classy for an indy minor league, at least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJBerthiaume Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 I also like the red tails. I don't like team names that end with something that is not a s (white/red sox are only exceptions). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burning River Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 I voted for: Avon Red Tails. Living in that area, hawks are EVERYwhere. Plan B could really do a bang-up job! I agree with that using Artichokes would be brutal. Cleveland 'ChokesYeah... we know... we know... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckeyes Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 im pretty sure avon red tails makes a reference to the country club/golf course that is located in avon. it's a real nice area probably one of the most prostigious in the city of avon if thats safe to say. i really like the name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burgundy Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 I vote Avon Artichokes, just because I want to see what they could come up with logo-wise, and that would be an awesome mascot. He could be Artie the Artichoke. Or they could make him a chicken and he could be 'Choke the Chicken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krona Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 If Ohio is fair game, why not the Ohio Players? I'll second the nod for woolies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rvrdgsfn Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Red tails does have a classy sound to it. I'll pass on the artichokes. Wouldn't go for Walleye, unless they want to deal with Toledo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bselig Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Scottsdale (AZ) Community College's athletic team nickname is the Fighting Artichokes, alias Artichokes, alias 'Chokes. The mascot's name is "Artie the Artichoke," as seen here:http://www.scottsdalecc.edu/athletics/index.htmlSo green and smiley! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burning River Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 im pretty sure avon red tails makes a reference to the country club/golf course that is located in avon. it's a real nice area probably one of the most prostigious in the city of avon if thats safe to say. i really like the name.I'm thinking that's why they named the Golf Course Red Tail, due to Red Tail Hawks living in the area (region). The Golf course could really benefit from marketing without doing much. RedTailGolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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