Long Beach Residents to Decide Name of New Baseball Team
LONG BEACH, CA – Long Beach residents have been given the unique prospect to name the cityS newest professional baseball team, set to begin play in 2025 as part of the Pioneer League, a MLB Partner League. A public naming contest launched today, inviting community members to submit suggestions through February 29th.
The team, owned by the same group behind the prosperous Roseburg Drifters in Oregon, aims to build a strong local identity from the ground up. This collaborative naming process is central to that goal, fostering community ownership adn excitement ahead of the inaugural season. The Pioneer League’s move to a year-round schedule and partnership with Major League baseball signifies a growing commitment to developing talent and providing affordable, family-kind entertainment.
“We want this team to truly represent Long Beach,” saeid team owner Brian Bell in a press release. “What better way to do that than by letting the people who live hear decide what we’re called?”
Residents can submit name ideas, along with a brief explanation of their reasoning, via a dedicated website [website address would be inserted here]. A selection committee, comprised of local leaders and team representatives, will narrow down the submissions to a shortlist of finalists.Public voting will then determine the winning name, to be announced in March.
The new team will play its home games at Blair Field, a historic ballpark with a capacity of 3,200. The Pioneer League is comprised of teams across the Western United States and Canada, offering a pathway for players to reach affiliated baseball. This initiative aims to revitalize blair Field and provide Long beach with a vibrant new sports franchise.
