Winston-Salem whittles down name ideas

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Fans in Winston-Salem have shown their excitement for the 2009 opening of their new stadium, and the look their team will have when they take the field, as more than 3,000 submissions were received to the club's open call for suggestions. The new name will be in effect for the 2009 season.

Launched Sunday, April 20 on the pages of the Winston-Salem Journal and at both www.baseballdowntown.com and the new www.journalnow.com online, the program gave fans a chance to submit their idea for the name of the team. Over the course of the program, executives for the team and the Journal have reviewed the submissions and have now narrowed the field of those being considered.

"2009 will begin a new era in professional baseball in Winston-Salem," said franchise owner Billy Prim. "We're thrilled the community shares our excitement about the stadium and the future of the club, as evidenced by the significant feedback on the name. It was very difficult to reduce the number to those selected, and we anticipate the process to narrow it down to one will be both fun and challenging."

Below are the names under consideration, along with samples of the reasoning for the suggestions:

Name -- Reason provided for suggestion
Mad Toms -- A fish common to North Carolina
Wallbangers -- A fun, unique baseball term
Rhinos -- A strong, swift, ferocious animal with ties to the area
Woodchucks -- An animal commonly found in North Carolina
Thunder -- A connection to summer storms that come through the North Carolina region
The Dash -- A nickname used for the city of Winston-Salem
Aviators -- Plays off the strong aviation history of North Carolina and the founding of Piedmont Airlines in Winston-Salem
Racers -- Ties to the strong auto racing heritage of North Carolina and Winston-Salem
Copperheads -- An animal commonly found in the North Carolina area
Red Wolf -- An animal being re-introduced to the North Carolina area

Next steps in the naming process will be trademark and usage searches for each of those in consideration, along with extensive discussion and review of logo design, mascot and other visual options.

"This is really fun," said franchise president Kevin Terry. "With progress on the stadium construction, our staff talking to excited fans throughout the area about ticket packages, and great opportunities be a part of the fun and the creation of a wonderful new identity all progressing rapidly, this is a great time for sports entertainment in Winston-Salem."

Pride in helping select the name of Winston-Salem's franchise isn't the only thing available to fans. The club will select one participant to receive a spectacular prize package that will include placement of a permanent plaque at the ballpark honoring their contribution to naming the team, season tickets for 2009, a shopping spree for items featuring the new logo, and the chance to throw out the first pitch at a game during the opening homestand at the new ballpark.

Season tickets packages, group ticket packages and advertising opportunities are available now by calling 336-714-2287 or at www.baseballdowntown.com online.

On April 18, 2008 it was announced that Winston-Salem franchise ownership and Mandalay Baseball Properties had entered into an agreement for Mandalay to operate the club. This agreement remains subject to the approval of baseball's governing bodies.