Great Lakes Loons named

When the players of the Southwest Michigan Devil rays take the field next season, it will be as the newly named Great Lakes Loons. And it won't be in the 16-year-old C. O. Brown Stadium but in their new $28 million ballpark.

This past weekend, the Michigan Baseball Foundation unveiled the new team identity, which takes effect next season. Everything from the new moniker, new ballpark, new logo and colors and a new location (about three hours away from this year's) has been set.

The Loons will play in central Michigan, strategically placed in the middle of four of the five Great Lakes.

"To the east we have Lake Huron, to the west we have Lake Michigan," said Stacey Trapani with the Loons. "The south has Lake Erie, and the north has Lake Superior. It's a great location, and the lakes are so much a part of this state."

More than 3,500 people entered the Michigan Baseball Foundation's "Name-the-Team" contest this year. Trapani said the new owners wanted to choose a name with a regional emphasis. As loons are unique to Michigan, the new logo will feature the interesting birds.

"Loons are very well-known birds in the area," said Trapani. "The idea was to have a name that encompassed everyone and not just one area of the state."

Originally, the Southwest Devil Rays were put up for sale, drawing the interest of the Michigan Baseball Foundation.

The club will also operate as a non-profit organization next season. The new ballpark will be named next year, as the naming rights belong to the Dow Chemical Corporation, which is part of the MBF.

The new team will still be affiliated with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and play in the Midwest League. The Class A affiliation will also remain. Trapani said a new, fresh team identity will draw new fans.

The home opener is scheduled for April 13, 2007, and Trapani said there's plenty to look forward to.