Binghamton's Fiery Meatballs Add Spice to Minor League Traditions

In Minor League Baseball alone can you come across team names like the Spicy Meatballs, Space Potatoes, and Frozen Pizzas — at least for just a handful of games.

Minor league teams' "alternative personas" have returned for yet another season, featuring bursts of color, humor, and frequently sheer absurdity.

The New York Mets The Double-A affiliate, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, recently joined the trend by introducing their new alter-ego: the Southern Tier Spicy Meatballs. For a trio of games in August, they'll be known as the Spicy Meatballs when facing off against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

The distinctive identity pays homage To the Italian heritage of the area surrounding Binghamton, New York, particularly the town of Endicott.

The Spicy Meatballs/Rumble Ponies aren’t going to be the sole minor league team with an distinctive alternate identity in 2025. Below are some of the other notable temporary personas they'll showcase.

Team: Arkansas Travelers

Alternate identity: Barkansas Dizzys

The travelers seized the opportunity to pay tribute. nothing else but their stadium dog Dizzy, who has an alternate persona, is the dog belonging to Greg Johnston, the team’s long-time vice president of stadium operations.

Complete with a logo featuring a starry-eyed Dizzy eagerly holding a ball in his mouth, Barkansas will take the field for six games in June.

Team: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Alternate identity: Wisconsin Frozen Pizzas

Did you know that Wisconsin has the global hub for frozen pizzas Well, if you follow the renamed Timber Rattlers — the high-A team affiliated with the Milwaukee Brewers -- On July 12, you'll soon have the opportunity to play a selected game.

The initial 1,000 attendees at Neuroscience Group Field on game day will get a pizza oven bobblehead as well. This idea draws from an event held in 2021 known as the "Frozen Pizza Throwdown," where more than a dozen varieties of frozen pizzas specific to Wisconsin were featured.

Team: Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Alternative identity: Jacksonville Honey Drippers

Historically, the Miami Marlins' Triple-A affiliate, known as the Jumbo Shrimp, will be called the Jacksonville Honey Drippers for two weekend stretches this season.

Frozen honey drizzlers are a quintessential Southern summertime favorite, with their name reflecting the delightful topping they offer. tracing its roots back to Jacksonville. The Jumbo Shrimp’s alternate persona reflects its summery vibe with a striking combination of vivid blues, yellows, and pinks.

Team: Fresno Grizzlies

Alternate identity: Fresno Tacos

The Tacos have an alternative persona steeped in significant history – they are connected to the Fresno Grizzlies (the Single-A affiliate). Colorado Rockies ) have played select games as the Fresno Tacos since 2015. The name pays homage to the franchise's annual taco truck festival, the Taco Truck Throwdown.

California's Central Valley, where Fresno is located, is the birthplace of the taco truck.

Team: Akron RubberDucks

Alternate identity: Akron Cheese Salads

A dish distinctive of Akron, the cheese salad is a side dish that features lettuce, tomato slices and black olives among other ingredients ... as well as, of course, a hearty helping of mozzarella cheese on top.

The RubberDucks -- the Cleveland Guardians 'Double-A affiliated team '-- are celebrating the dish for a single night performance as the alter ego on July 11.

Team: New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Alternative identity: New Hampshire Cosmic Spuds

Typically, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats play as the team. Toronto Blue Jays The secondary team’s alternative persona was established as such. blending two local icons into one name.

Since 2013, the potato has held the title of the official state vegetable and holds significant historical importance within the state. However, the aerospace aspect traces back to the 1960s when New Hampshire natives Barney and Betty Hill reported being taken by extraterrestrial beings after an encounter in their home state known as the Granite State.

Team: Winston-Salem Dash

Alternative identity: Winston-Salem Hooch Pooches

It's a blend of alternative personas infused with inspiration From stock car racing and the era of moonshining during Prohibition On June 20, Winston-Salem’s Truist Stadium will transform into a “bootlegger’s haven” when the Hooch Pooches celebrate an iconic era from Chicago’s past (The Dash are included). Chicago White Sox affiliate).

Stock car racing dates back to its roots. back to Prohibition , bootleggers would alter standard cars to enable them to outpace law enforcement.

Team: Toledo Mud Hens

Alternative identity: Toledo Muck Drifters

Opting for their current murky identity, Toledo is set to participate in six matches this season. as the Mud Crawlers .

The Detroit Tigers The Triple-A affiliate will also remain close to its avian origins in terms of design — the alternative mascot logo showcases a duck navigating an off-road vehicle through muddy terrain, giving a thumbs-up with three fingers raised.