The rumors are true. In a rather sudden move, the Pikemen packed up and headed back down to North Carolina, a state in which they previously existed as the Carolina Kraken. This time, however, they packed for a trip to the beach.
A presser was called to announce the team's new identity:
The Cape Fear Swamp Foxes!
New President of Baseball Operations Woody Donahue was on hand, along with owner Cisco Ramírez, at the site of the new waterfront ballpark in Wilmington, set to open in April.
Let's take a moment to explain the name. The team is based in Wilmington, North Carolina. Cape Fear is the name of the river running alongside the city, which also gives its name to the greater region.
The team is named after the foxes that inhabit the wetlands around the Cape Fear River. It’s also a nod to Brigadier General Francis Marion, nicknamed the "Swamp Fox," a Revolutionary War hero who used guerrilla tactics in the swamps of the Carolinas, including the Cape Fear area. He was an important figure in North Carolina’s fight for independence.
The Swamp Foxes become one of two BBA teams in North Carolina, which may raise some questions about potential market size. One might assume the Charlotte Flyers command the entire state's baseball fandom, and that there's no room for a second team. Donahue addressed this topic with the media, stressing that "true Carolinians know that the Western and Eastern sides of the state have very different beliefs and ideals, especially on the subject of barbecue. The main difference being that we on the East side like ours with some flavor."
"With the natural rivalry that we'll have with Charlotte, we look forward to further exploring the barbecue debate, along with other issues, such as which side gets to claim J. Cole." (@Krathan)
Donahue was then asked about the future direction of the franchise, and whether fans should be concerned about the abrupt resignation of former GM Jim Slade and the ensuing move.
"Mr. Slade left on good terms, in order to pursue some personal endeavors. We will continue building the organization in the direction he laid the groundwork for. He even left me a list of players to specifically not trade to Nashville, and I plan to follow his instructions to the letter."
"What about the new stadium?" another reporter asked. "Will there be a news release about it? Roughly, say, one thousand words in length?"
"You'll be hearing a lot more about it soon," Donahue said, with a smirk. "This waterfront is going to be the hottest place in the South."
"But now, I need to pick up my car from the shop. Some guy sideswiped me on the highway. Crazy drivers out here, driving the complete wrong direction in traffic. Never seen anything like it."
As Donahue walked off, Ramírez took the mic to address the crowd. "Sorry, everyone. He's spent too much time in London."
