Waco, TX – The Southwest League of Professional Baseball has announced that five (5) finalists
for the Name the Team contest have emerged.
In August, team officials began the process of asking fans to submit suggestions for the team
name. According to team personnel, the team received over 700 submissions since August 22nd.
Those submissions have been narrowed down to five candidates for the team moniker. Below
are the choices, along with descriptions:
1. Woolies
Named in honor of the National “Wooly” Mammoth Monument which was established in
Waco, Texas on July 15, 2015. The National Monument is a paleontological site and museum
where fossils of twenty-four Columbian mammoths from the Pleistocene Epoch have been
uncovered. The Woolly Mammoth is probably the best known of any prehistoric animal.
Males reached shoulder heights of between 9ft 11ft and weight up to 12,000 pounds.
The gigantic mammal used its large tusks (typically 8-9 feet and 99 pounds) and trunk for
manipulating objects, fighting and foraging,
2. Mammoths (Identical description as #1)
Named in honor of the National “Wooly” Mammoth Monument which was established in
Waco, Texas on July 15, 2015. The National Monument is a paleontological site and museum
where fossils of twenty-four Columbian mammoths from the Pleistocene Epoch have been
. The Woolly Mammoth is probably the best known of any prehistoric animal.
Males reached shoulder heights of between 9ft 11ft and weight up to 12,000 pounds. The
gigantic mammal
manipulating objects, fighting and foraging.
3. BlueCats (Blue Catfish)
The Brazos River is synonymous with Waco. Blue Cats are highly sought after on the Brazos
and they are the largest species of North American Catfish. Blue Cats are often confused
with Channel Catfish, but the preferred choice of many Wacoans when fishing the banks
of the Brazos River or traveling up and down its waters. Blue Cats are heavy bodied, blue-ish
gray in color, have barbels, a dorsal hump, a deeply forked tail, and an intimidating, protruding
upper jaw. These finned swimmers are opportunistic predators and eat any species of fish they
can catch, along with crawfish, freshwater mussels, frogs, and other readily available aquatic
food sources.
4. Peppers
In honor of Waco being the home of Dr Pepper. The popular drink was created in the 1880s by
Charles Alderton in Waco, Texas and first served around 1885. Dr Pepper was first nationally
marketed in the United States in 1904, and is now also sold across the globe as an imported good.
Variants include a version without high fructose corn syrup, Diet Dr Pepper, as well as, a line of
additional flavors, first introduced in the 2000s. "Dr Pepper Time", according to one promotion,
was at 10, 2 and 4 o'clock – three ideal times during the day to enjoy the carbonated beverage.
5. Grackles
Anyone who knows Waco knows that we have a menacing and large population of what are
called Great-tailed Grackles. The name would play on Waco's history, local culture, and be unique.
Team colors could be black and yellow, hearkening back to the Waco Pirates, who were the last
professional baseball team to play in the city. Adult common grackles measure from 11 to 13 inches
in length, span 14–18 inches across the wings, have a long, dark bill, pale yellowish eyes and a long tail.
Its feathers are black with purple, green or blue iridescence on the head, and primarily bronze sheen
in the body plumage.
"We're thrilled to have the community so engaged in the process of choosing the name”, stated Mark
Schuster, SWL President. “It’s consistent with the tremendous public response we’ve received since
announcing the return of professional baseball to Waco after a 60-year absence.”
The new Waco team will play in a new $11MM stadium located just off Interstate 35 near Loop 340 in
Bellmead, TX. The stadium will feature seating for 4,000.
The Southwest League (www.swlbaseball.com) , which will play a 112 game schedule with 56 home
games and 56 games on the road.
Fans can log onto www.wacoprobaseball.com to vote for their favorite of the five finalists.
Team officials will unveil the winning name at a press conference in mid-November.
