Play Ball!

Posted on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 by Pat Gaik

So, my town now has a baseball team. Not sure how I feel about the name. How long before they're known as the Cornholers?


CornBelters picked as Normal baseball nickname

NORMAL -- In a marriage of baseball and the area’s rich agricultural history, the Normal CornBelters were born Monday. | Man who came up with CornBelters name shares prize

Normal Professional Baseball President Steve Malliet announced the team’s nickname and revealed the logos for a baseball team that will begin Frontier League play in May 2010 at a stadium on the Heartland Community College campus.

“It fits and it’s fun,” Malliet said. “That’s what we’re all about.”

After an ill-fated and controversial online team-naming contest brought suspicion of vote fraud, votes were cleared April 23 and a new contest with additional restrictions was launched.

“It’s been an interesting process,” said Malliet, who said CornBelters was the top choice of approximately 3,000 online votes with a tally of 1,244. “We like it for its promotional, retail and marketing potential.”

The logo was designed by Chris Henwood, who also had a hand in popular logos of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Myrtle Beach Pelicans and Durham Bulls.

“He believes it’s going to be a top 10 selling logo,” Malliet said. “He believes it’s going to be a winner.”

Other nickname finalists were Nutz, Coal Bears, Fellers and Camelbacks.

Malliet envisions corn-related items available at the stadium concession stands, including corn dogs, corn chips and sweet corn. The team is considering growing its own sweet corn on the stadium grounds.

He also sees Corn Stalk Races in the spirit of the Sausage Race at Miller Park in Milwaukee. And as for mascot names, Malliet mentioned Kernel, Niblet and Shucks as possibilities.

“Entertainment and family fun has always been the core for us,” said Malliet.

After gaining the final nod of approval from the Normal City Council on Monday, Malliet plans to begin construction on the stadium soon.

“It’s a little wet on the site right now,” he said. “But very soon you will start to see dirt work out there.”