Are you f*^%ing kidding me - Jacksonville Suns change name to Jumbo Shrimp

[Coolyfett]

I don't love the re-branding, but then again, I don't really care. Going to a Suns game was never about the Suns or the product on the field. It has always been a way to enjoy time with friends with some extra entertainment.

My guess is that this is also the case for the majority of spectators. So, if nobody takes the baseball seriously, then I think this the owner just doubling down on the entertainment factor.

Speak for yourself man. I went for the competition and pro baseball, which is what its always been PRO BASEBALL. Jax will never have a MLB team and there are enough of those already. Some may agree with your point of view, but many will not. The indifference you speak here to me thats one of Jacksonville biggest problems, people just dont care enough. Thats why things like JUMBO SHRIMPS happens to us. No one cares or everyone does not care.

[Tacachale]

It's really about getting an affiliate agreement with a AAA club. There's only 30 AAA teams, and those don't change every day.

Exactly. The only recent opportunity that would have remotely been possible is when the Braves moved their AAA franchise from Richmond to Gwinnett.

I doubt the Braves would have moved here in the first place.

And second, the Suns would have basically been forced to move to another city as the Braves own their AAA franchise. And I don't think the Bragans were interested in not having a team at that time.

This isn't quite right. Getting into AAA would require buying one of the AAA franchises, and then selling the current AA franchise. The owner could hang onto the existing Suns/Shrimp name and identity in the deal. The issue with the Gwinnett Braves is that the Atlanta Braves actually own the team. Others have independent owners.

Moving up would take a lot of coordination, but it certainly could be done. The main reason AAA teams don't move much is because only certain cities have or want to build big enough facilities. Jacksonville already has a AAA quality field. The Bragans obviously didn't ever want to do this. Perhaps Babby will be different.

To another point mentioned before, the quality of play isn't much different from AA to AAA. AA is more up and comers, while AAA is in large part major league reserves. However, attendance and resources are typically considerably higher in AAA. Hence, they tend to be in larger cities. In general it's a better fit for us and it's a shame the Bragans wouldn't do it.

[Coolyfett]

The city and fans are lighting Ken Babby up on the official facebook page. WOW. Its like Jacksonville fans have become Philly fans. Some of these in your face comments are pretty rough. Im both impressed and a lil ashamed of the hostility presented here. Jacksonville has grown.

https://www.facebook.com/jaxshrimp/

[JaxJersey-licious]

Say what you will about the Suns name change...at least it's not nightmare inducing.

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/an-mlb-minor-league-team-renamed-itself-the-baby-cakes-111516

[JaxJersey-licious]

[Tacachale]

Real missed opportunity with their mascot:

[thelakelander]

[Kerry]

I used to live in OKC and when our AAA team changed affiliation to the Dodgers, the name was changed from Redhawks to....wait for it...the Dodgers.

Also, to the previous comments about AA being better than AAA.  Come on, no one is buying that non-sense.  Not a single AA player has ever said, "I don't want to move up to AAA because that is a step down."

[David]

This all seems like a real life version of BASEketball

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fictional_sports_teams#BASEketball_teams


Dallas Felons.
Detroit Lemons.
Los Angeles Riots.
Miami Dealers.
Milwaukee Beers.
New Jersey Informants.
Roswell Aliens.
San Antonio Defenders....

[JaxNative68]

I used to live in OKC and when our AAA team changed affiliation to the Dodgers, the name was changed from Redhawks to....wait for it...the Dodgers.

Also, to the previous comments about AA being better than AAA.  Come on, no one is buying that non-sense.  Not a single AA player has ever said, "I don't want to move up to AAA because that is a step down."

Actually AA baseball is better than AAA baseball. AAA is usually stocked with former major league players, major league players on the DL list rehabbing or career minor league players who are not good enough to make the major league teams.  AA is usually stocked with the younger up and coming players that will skip the AAA level and go straight to the major league teams. In a general comparison of the two, AA has the better future talent of the major leagues rather than the no longer able to compete in the major league players of AAA. Don't let yourself be fooled because there is an extra A in the distinction that the league has more talent on the field.

[Clem1029]

I mean...at least the logo for the Babycakes isn't borderline copyright infringement...



Once you see it, you can't unsee it. Sorry not sorry.

Go Jacksonville Trogdors!!

[camarocane]

I'd be all for the Jacksonville Trogdors though!

[JBTripper]

I'd be all for the Jacksonville Trogdors though!

BURNINATING THE SOUTHERN LEAGUE!

[JaxJersey-licious]

A friend of mine just sent this to me. I'm sure requests of this song is currently burning up the switchboards of WAPE 

https://soundcloud.com/holden-mcneely/we-are-the-jumbo-shrimp

I have no words, but if you dare push me on that....

[finehoe]

Catchy (get it?).