Fireflies Introduce New Alternate Identity: The Carolina Grits
COLUMBIA, SC – The Columbia Fireflies today hosted a press conference to reveal a new alternate food identity: The Carolina Grits. The Carolina Grits identity pays homage to the strong historical and cultural ties that grits have in our region, our state and our city. 75% of all grits sold
COLUMBIA, SC – The Columbia Fireflies today hosted a press conference to reveal a new alternate food identity: The Carolina Grits. The Carolina Grits identity pays homage to the strong historical and cultural ties that grits have in our region, our state and our city. 75% of all grits sold in the United States are sold in the south, so it seemed only fitting for the Fireflies first food identity to be the Grits.
Grits gained popularity outside of the Southeast region when the combination of shrimp and grits was introduced to the world by South Carolinians. Grown from humble beginnings, grits have become a beloved staple, placed on tables across our region every single day. Grits are so embedded in the history of our state that in 1976, a motion was passed to make grits the state food of South Carolina, quoting them as “a symbol of its diet, its customs, its humor, and its hospitality.” In 1952, the Charleston News & Courier declared "Given enough of it [grits], the inhabitants of planet Earth would have nothing to fight about. A man full of grits is a man of peace.”
”Our team is thrilled to unveil this fun new Carolina Grits identity,” said Fireflies Team President, Brad Shank. “We have been working on this brand package and identity for nearly two years, so this launch is a culmination of a lot of hard work by our fantastic team in partnership with Confluence Design in Atlanta. Food is such a big part of the ballpark experience and ultimately food, and namely grits, has brought people together at the breakfast, lunch and dinner table, so why not let grits bring people together at the ballpark too.”
Grits are not unfamiliar to Soda Citizens, as one of the main staples in the Soda City skyline is the Adluh Flour building, located right in the heart of downtown Columbia. The plant has been a part of the Vista since the early 1900s, originating as a grain and feed company before becoming Adluh Milling Company in 1914. The iconic building etched in the skyline was built soon after in 1920. The company was bought by the Allen Brothers Milling Co in the mid 1920’s, who decided to keep the already established Adluh name. The Allen family still runs the mill today, now in the 4th generation of Allen leadership in their family business.
The Fireflies will transform into the Carolina Grits six times during the 2024 season, launching the identity on-field during their inaugural Grits Weekend April 26-28th. The identity will continue to be worn throughout the season for ‘Food Fight Games’, with the Fireflies playing as the Grits once a month. 2024 Food Fight Games, outside of Grits Weekend in April, will be May 16, June 18, July 1, August 8 and September 6.
Grits Weekend festivities will include the following:
- Friday, April 26: Kick off Grits Weekend with a Grits Character Figurine Giveaway. The first 1000 people through the gates will take home the first ever Carolina Grits giveaway, complete with a bobble spoon.
- Saturday, April 27: Grits Weekend continues Saturday with baseball and a post-game firework show presented by Adluh Flour
- Sunday, April 28: Grits Weekend concludes on a Sunday Funday with pre-game player autographs and post-game Kids Run the Bases presented by Bang Back Pinball Lounge. Grits Sunday is also the first of two Faith & Family nights this season, featuring a pre-game concert by Jeremy Rosado. Gates will open early at 3:00pm, with the concert going from 3:30 to 4:30pm. The concert is free with the purchase of a ticket for the game.
The Carolina Gits branding includes a Grits wordmark, that will be seen across the jerseys worn by the team, with the dot of the ‘I’ in Grits being a piece of butter. The marks also include a throwback style Carolina Grits Baseball Club sleeve patch, as well as the addition of a Grits character mascot. The full brand kit and on-field hat and jersey were designed by W. Todd Vaught and Daniel Levey of Confluence Design in Atlanta.
Carolina Grits merchandise will be available for purchase throughout the season, with the full array of Grits merchandise, including jerseys and the on-field cap, hitting the shelves during Grits weekend, April 26-28. Grits merchandise will go on sale exclusively in-store only that weekend at the Mason Jar Team Store. At the conclusion of Grits weekend, Grits merchandise will be available on the online Mason Jar Team store.
Limited select items, including tees for both youth and adults, are available now for pre-sale purchase. The pre-sale will be live today and last through midnight on Sunday, March 31st. The pre-sale can be accessed online here.
Outside of the on-field identity, grits will become a staple at Segra Park in a variety of other ways. All season long, fans can enjoy local Adluh grits by visiting our brand new ‘Grits, Y’all!’ food cart located on the concourse by the SCU Kids Zone. The Grit’s, Y’all specialty food cart will be serving up four grits dishes, including plain cheesy grits, loaded grits, chicken and grits, and shrimp and grits. Fans will also have the option to get any of the above served in a souvenir Carolina Grits mini helmet.
A special webpage has been created to house all things Carolina Grits, including everything mentioned above and more. That page can be found online here.
The Fireflies 2024 season begins Tuesday, April 9 against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans at 7:05 pm. Tickets for the season are on sale now. Go to ColumbiaFireflies.com for more information about promotions and ticket pricing for this summer.
Wolters Twirls Strong Start in 3-2 Loss
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — Blake Wolters had a great start, but it wasn’t enough as Columbia dropped the series finale 3-2 to Kannapolis Sunday at Atrium Health Ballpark. Derlin Figueroa drilled his fourth homer of the season over the right field wall to score Ramon Ramirez and give the Fireflies a
Ramirez Late Homer Not Enough in 6-5 Loss
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — The Columbia Fireflies rallied from down three to tie the game in the seventh, but lost 6-5 to the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Saturday night at Atrium Health Ballpark. Ramon Ramirez completed the comeback. Columbia’s backstop slugged a 398 foot two-run homer in the seventh to score Asbel
Mark Your Calendar: 6 Nights of Baseball and Fun You Won't Want to Miss!
From princesses, parrotheads, pajamas and more, next week at Segra Park has affordable fun for all. Whether you’re bringing the whole family, your four-legged friend or your cowboy boots, we’ve got your week covered as the first-place Fireflies host the Fayetteville Woodpeckers starting with a special Memorial Day game.
Homestand Preview: May 26-June 1
Columbia, SC— The Fireflies open up a fresh, six-game homestand Monday, May 26 as the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Houston Astros, Class-A) visit Segra Park for the only time in 2025. Columbia enters the week in first place in the Carolina League South Division as we enter the final month of the
Allende Steals Home and Fireflies Win 6-4
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — The Fireflies scored four in the ninth inning, including a straight steal of home to tie the game, to win 6-4 over the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Friday night at Atrium Health Ballpark. Henry Ramos drew a one out walk to start the rally. After that, Asbel Gonzalez
Fireflies Bats Stymied in 4-0 Loss
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — The Fireflies opened up with back-to-back hits, but the offense fell flat after. Columbia didn’t get a hit after the first out was recorded as they fell to Kannapolis 4-0 Thursday night at Atrium Health Ballpark. Grant Umberger (W, 2-0) was fantastic for the Cannon Ballers. The
BBQ, Brews and Great Deals Available Now
Kick off the Memorial Day weekend with BBQ, brews, bull rides and backyard fun — all in one unforgettable day. BBQ & Brews is coming to Segra Park tomorrow, and you don’t want to miss it! Buy your tickets today to avoid day-of price increases and save money. Here’s what’s
Four in the Eighth Beats Columbia 6-3
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — The Fireflies took a 3-2 lead to the eighth inning where Kannapolis hung four to beat the Fireflies 6-3 Wednesday night at Atrium Health Ballpark. Caleb Bonemer started the inning reaching on a fielding error from Derlin Figueroa. After that, Calvin Harris doubled to move runners to
Five-Run Fifth, Strong Pitching Combine for Win
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — The Fireflies bats plated a handful in the fifth inning behind a strong night of pitching to beat the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 8-1 Tuesday night at Atrium Health Ballpark. The Fireflies now have a two-game lead over Kannapolis for first place in the South Division. The Fireflies
Fireflies Drop Finale 8-1 to Augusta
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Fireflies bullpen worked seven innings and allowed only a pair of runs, but the Fireflies fell 8-1 to the Augusta GreenJackets Sunday evening at Segra Park. The GreenJackets struck first Sunday night. Augusta scored two in both the first and second innings. Then got their first
Ramirez Slams Fireflies to 11-Inning Win
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Ramon Ramirez provided the pop, homering twice after the eighth inning in a 7-6 walk-off victory over the Augusta GreenJackets in 11 innings Saturday night at Segra Park. In the bottom of the 11th, Ramirez came to the plate with Asbel Gonzalez at third and Derlin Figueroa
Fireflies Backed By Big Swings, Strong Start in 5-2 Win
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies used two home runs and a quality start from Yunior Marte to take Game 4 of their six-game set against the Augusta GreenJackets, winning 5-2 Friday night at Segra Park. Columbia jumped ahead in the bottom of the third inning. After Derlin Figueroa drew
Fireflies Fall Short 4-1 vs Augusta
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Fireflies received a strong, five-inning start from Hiro Wyatt, but fell short 4-1 vs the Augusta GreenJackets Thursday night at Segra Park. Columbia hopped on the board first in the bottom of the first inning. Asbel Gonzalez and Derlin Figueroa hit back-to-back singles to start the
Shields Dazzles in Debut as Fireflies Win 20th of 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies used an excellent outing from their pitching staff and a late Josi Novas blast to beat the Augusta GreenJackets 3-1 Wednesday night at Segra Park. David Shields was fantastic in his Carolina League debut. The southpaw spun four innings, wrung up five hitters and
$1 Beers Await at Segra Park Thursday
Buy Your Tickets Here!
We Reveal Our Beer Name & You Can Win Free Beer for a Year!
Get your tickets here!
Late Rally Not Enough as Fireflies Fall 8-6 in Extras
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Fireflies got a late rally to tie the game in the eighth, but ultimately lost 8-6 in 10 innings to the Augusta GreenJackets Tuesday night at Segra Park. Stone Russell got the rally started. The righty fell in a 1-2 hole before fouling off nine-consecutive pitches
Fireflies Late Rally Falls Short Sunday
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Fireflies rallied late, but fell short 3-2 to the Charleston RiverDogs Sunday night at The Joe. Columbia lost five of six games to Charleston this week, which marked their first six-game series loss of the 2025 season. The Fireflies got on the board in the top
Homestand Preview: May 13-18
Columbia, SC— The Fireflies have had a strong start to the 2025 season and at the quarter-pole, they are sitting in first place in the South Division. Cheer on the Fireflies as they defend their position against the Augusta GreenJackets at Segra Park in a six-game series. Ticket Links and
Early Offense Not Enough in 10-6 Loss
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Fireflies bats were hot early, but it wasn’t enough as the club fell 10-6 to the Charleston RiverDogs Saturday night at The Joe. Charleston drove ahead in the bottom of the fourth. Nathan Flewelling and J.D. Gonzalez hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. After recording
Marte Leads Way as Fireflies Hold on to 3-2 Win
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies used five scoreless innings from Yunior Marte to lead the way in a 3-2 win over the Charleston RiverDogs Friday night at The Joe. Marte worked five strong innings, striking out a 2025 Fireflies-best nine RiverDogs to keep Charleston off the board. Marte wrung
5/9 Day Sale: Get 25% Off New Era Fitted Hats
It’s 5/9 Day—and we’re celebrating the iconic New Era 59FIFTY series, the same hat our Fireflies wear under the lights at Segra Park. Now’s your chance to own a piece of the game. Take 25% off all Fireflies New Era Fitted hats through 11:59 PM on May 11.
Fireflies Fall 5-1 in Charleston Thursday
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies scored first, but fell 5-1 to the Charleston RiverDogs Thursday evening at The Joe. The RiverDogs tied the game in the third and didn’t look back after. Theo Gillen provided the bulk of the scoring. He slapped an RBI single to left in the
Russell's Three-Hit Performance Not Enough in 3-2 Loss
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Stone Russell led the way offensively for Columbia, notching three hits, but the Fireflies fell short 3-2 to the Charleston RiverDogs Wednesday night at The Joe. The Fireflies cracked the score column first. Stone Russell lined a double to right field with one out. After that, Jorge
Fireworks with the SC Philharmonic Returns to Segra Park
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies and the South Carolina Philharmonic today announced that Fireworks with the Phil, presented by Prisma Health, is returning to Segra Park for the fifth annual Orchestral Independence Day Celebration on Wednesday July 2. The event will include a concert with the SC Philharmonic and