Gastonia Honey Hunters
Team logo Cap insignia
Information
LeagueAtlantic League of Professional Baseball (South Division)
LocationGastonia, North Carolina
BallparkCaroMont Health Park
Year founded2021
ColorsBlack, gold, orange, white
       
OwnershipBrandon Bellamy
ManagementVelocity Companies
ManagerMauro Gozzo
Websitegohoneyhunters.com

The Gastonia Honey Hunters are a professional baseball team based in Gastonia, North Carolina. They play in the South Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, a "partner league" of Major League Baseball,[1][2] at CaroMont Health Park in Gastonia, North Carolina.

History

In 2019 the Atlantic League announced it was considering a new franchise in Gastonia.[3] Work officially began in November 2019, for the new ballpark in Gastonia.[4] In July 2020, the league announced the addition of a new franchise in Gastonia beginning in 2021; it would be the league's second team based in North Carolina.[5] Brandon Bellamy was announced as the team's owner.[6]

On August 15, 2020, a "Name the Team" contest was launched.[7] On October 8, 2020, the names were narrowed down to Fire Ants, Hogzillas, Honey Hunters, Hotshots, and Uppercuts.[8]

On January 13, 2021, the Honey Hunters name, logo and colors were announced. "Honey Hunters" refers to the toughness of a honey badger (Mellivora capensis) and the ability to seek out positive things in hard times. The moniker also alludes to Ransom Hunter, the first freed slave to own property in Gaston County, of which Gastonia is the county seat.[9]

The team's first game was an exhibition on May 23, 2021,[10] followed by the regular season opening day game on May 25.[11]

Current roster

Gastonia Honey Hunters roster
Active (25-man) roster Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 33 Spencer Bivens
  • -- Jamie Callahan
  • -- Raibel Custodio
  • 20 Kaleb Earls
  •  3 Steven Farkas
  • 29 Jacinto Garcia
  • 14 Austin Glorius
  • 21 T.J. Goco
  • -- Alsis Herrera ‡
  • 35 José José
  • 26 William Kirwan
  • -- Joe Kuzia
  • 24 Euclides Leyer
  • -- A.J. Merkel ‡
  • 32 Jailen Peguero
  • 19 Dario Polanco



  

Catchers

  •  2 Alec Allred
  • 37 Ermindo Escobar
  • -- Jesús Sucre
  •  7 Luis Touron

Infielders

  •  6 Manuel Geraldo
  • 10 Jordan Howard
  • 13 Ryan Jackson
  • 17 Michael Osinski
  •  9 Jason Rogers
  • 13 William Salas
  • 25 Emmanuel Tapia

Outfielders

  

Manager

Coaches

  • -- Reggie Harris (Pitching)
  • -- Chuck Stewart (Hitting & Third Base)

Disabled list
‡ Inactive list
§ Suspended list

 updated August 27, 2021
 Transactions

References

  1. ^ Reichard, Kevin (September 23, 2020). "Indy Atlantic League designated MLB Partner League". Ballpark Digest. August Publishing. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  2. ^ Reichard, Kevin (September 24, 2020). "American Association, Frontier League now MLB Partner Leagues". Ballpark Digest. August Publishing. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  3. ^ Barrett, Michael (August 21, 2019). "Gastonia advances plan to lure pro-baseball franchise". The Gaston Gazette. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  4. ^ Reichard, Kevin (December 3, 2019). "Downtown Gastonia Ballpark Project Underway". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  5. ^ Del Priore, Jerry (July 28, 2020). "Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Expands to City of Gastonia, NC". AtlanticLeague.com (Press release).
  6. ^ Cooper, J. J. (July 28, 2020). "Brandon Bellamy Set To Become Only Black Majority Owner In Professional Baseball". Baseball America.
  7. ^ "Contest to name Gastonia's new pro baseball team begins". The Gaston Gazette. August 16, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  8. ^ Gilstrap, Samantha (October 8, 2020). "Gastonia Professional Baseball Narrows Down Team Name Finalists". WCCB. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  9. ^ Reichard, Kevin (January 13, 2021). "New for 2021: Gastonia Honey Hunters". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  10. ^ Hughes II, Joe L. (May 25, 2021). "Diggin' in: Gastonia 's new professional baseball team, stadium set for grand debut". The Gaston Gazette. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  11. ^ Ellis, Kevin (May 27, 2021). "Opening Day arrives for Gastonia Honey Hunters, and it was beautiful". The Gaston Gazette. Retrieved June 7, 2021.

External links

Gastonia Honey Hunters
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (2021)
Sports teams based in North Carolina
Categories