Gastonia Ghost Peppers Explained

Gastonia Ghost Peppers
Cap Logo:Ghost Peppers cap.png
League:Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
Division:South Division
Location:Gastonia, North Carolina
Ballpark:CaroMont Health Park
Founded:2024
Colors:Red, black, green, gold, white
Manager:Mauro Gozzo
General Manager:Brady Salisbury
Owner:Zawyer Sports and Entertainment

The Gastonia Ghost Peppers are a professional baseball team based in Gastonia, North Carolina, which began play in 2024. They compete in the South Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, a "partner league" of Major League Baseball.[1] [2] The Ghost Peppers play their home games at CaroMont Health Park, which opened in 2021. The team was known as the Gastonia Baseball Club in 2024 before becoming the Ghost Peppers in 2025.

History

In November 2023, the Atlantic League terminated the membership of the Gastonia Honey Hunters, citing significant unpaid debts to the league, and announced the intent to field another team in Gastonia, North Carolina, in 2024.[3] [4] In February 2024, new owners of a yet-to-be-named Atlantic League team to play at CaroMont Health Park were announced.[5] The city and Zawyer Sports and Entertainment signed a 15-year stadium lease agreement.[6] The new team hired the general manager and manager of the Honey Hunters,[7] as well as other coaches.

The Gastonia Baseball Club played their first game on April 25, 2024, a 3–2 loss to the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.[8] Their first win came the next day against the same opponent, 7–3, allowing no hits until the eighth inning.[9]

Name

The Gastonia Baseball Club retained that name for the 2024 season while testing seven other possible permanent names on specific "What If?" dates.[10] [11] The other names were Gastronauts, Bolognia, Galactic Dinos, Ghost Peppers, Zombees, Garden Gnomes, and Yarniaks.[12] [13] In August 2024, the team asked fans to vote for one of the names by the end of the month. The "What If?" promotion was recognized with the Atlantic League's "Promotion of the Year" award.[14] On October 16, the team revealed its official name as the Gastonia Ghost Peppers.[15]

Notes and References

  1. News: Kevin . Reichard . Indy Atlantic League designated MLB Partner League . May 20, 2024 . Ballpark Digest . August Publishing . September 23, 2020.
  2. News: Kevin . Reichard . American Association, Frontier League now MLB Partner Leagues . May 20, 2024 . Ballpark Digest . August Publishing . September 24, 2020.
  3. News: Fohner . Kara . November 22, 2023 . More trouble for Gastonia's Honey Hunters . . May 20, 2024 . https://archive.today/20231122222846/https://www.gastongazette.com/story/news/local/2023/11/22/honey-hunters-terminated-from-atlantic-league/71678663007/ . November 22, 2023.
  4. News: Fohner . Kara . Are you ready for some baseball? Gastonia team owners talk about a fresh start . May 20, 2024 . . April 18, 2024. https://archive.today/20240419173614/https://www.gastongazette.com/story/news/local/2024/04/18/gastonia-baseball-team-owners-talk-about-a-fresh-start/73249046007/ . April 19, 2024.
  5. News: Calkins . Mary . Gastonia leaders reveal new pro baseball team amid Honey Hunters legal battle . May 20, 2024 . . February 7, 2024 . en.
  6. News: Ellis . Kevin . Gastonia gets a new baseball team and a promise to pay old debts . May 20, 2024 . Business North Carolina . February 8, 2024.
  7. News: Hughes . Joe L. II . Here's what to know as the Gastonia Baseball Club begins the 2024 ALPB season . May 20, 2024 . . April 24, 2024.
  8. Web site: Gastonia Drops Season Opener 3-2 . Gastonia Baseball Club . May 20, 2024 . April 26, 2024.
  9. Web site: Secures First Win as Gastonia Baseball Club . Gastonia Baseball Club . May 20, 2024 . April 27, 2024.
  10. News: Ablon . Matthew . Richards . Destiny . Harris . Myles . Gastonia's new baseball team has a temporary name for this season. What about in 2025? . May 20, 2024 . . April 23, 2024.
  11. News: Krieger . Dan . Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report . September 11, 2024 . OurSports Central . August 26, 2024 . en.
  12. News: Brierton . James . The time has arrived: Now is the time to vote on a new Gastonia Baseball Club name . September 11, 2024 . . August 20, 2024 . en.
  13. News: Vote: Fans given opportunity to permanently name Gastonia Baseball Club . September 11, 2024 . . August 21, 2024 . en.
  14. News: Woodhouse . Arri . Gastonia Baseball Club awarded 2024 'Promotion of the Year' . October 5, 2024 . Queen City News . September 30, 2024.
  15. News: Cassidy . Johncox . Connor . Lomis . Gastonia Baseball Club announces new team name: See it here . WBTV . October 16, 2024 . October 16, 2024.

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