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| A blank slate, the Ballpark at Jackson is ready for the name of its new home team. |
It’s official. The only thing missing is a bumper sticker. I brake for ballparks.
I was driving on I-40 from Nashville, Tenn., to Memphis when I saw an odd-looking curved, multi-story building with lots of windows. Was it an apartment building? A hotel? An office building?
The Generals were one of the teams that lost its major league affiliation status in the recent shakeup of the minor leagues. Many of the 43 teams that were dropped found new life in independent leagues, but the Generals had to fold their tent after their agreement with the city of Jackson was invalidated.
It only took me a moment to realize I was seeing the luxury suites at a baseball stadium, then it dawned on me that I was driving through Jackson, Tenn., home of the former Jackson Generals. I stepped on the brakes and barely made it to the exit so that I could go check out the ballpark.
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| I saw the Ballpark at Jackson's luxury suites as I was driving by on I-40. |
The Generals were one of the teams that lost its major league affiliation status in the recent shakeup of the minor leagues. Many of the 43 teams that were dropped found new life in independent leagues, but the Generals had to fold their tent after their agreement with the city of Jackson was invalidated.
Other teams were called the Jackson Generals in the city’s past, and there was another team called the Jackson Generals, which played in Jackson, Miss. That team has moved around over the years and currently plays as the Corpus Cristi Hooks in Texas.
In 2021, the Ballpark at Jackson was the temporary home of the Winnipeg Goldeyes, who were displaced from their home in Canada by Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Next year the staidum will be home to a new team in the summer college Prospect League. The results of a name-the-team contest is expected to be announced in the next week or so.
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| A statue at the ballpark's main gate is dedicated to children of fallen warriors |
Next year the staidum will be home to a new team in the summer college Prospect League. The results of a name-the-team contest is expected to be announced in the next week or so.
The five finalists are:
Jackson Locomotives, referring to the railroad industry and engineer Casey Jones.
Hub City Heroes, Jackson being known as a hub between Tennessee rivers and cities.
Jackson Blue Suedes, an homage to area native Carl Perkins, and his famous song.
Jackson Rockabillies, another reference to the music style of Perkins and others.
Hub City Hub Caps, once again pointing out Jackson’s central location.
I’m looking forward to coming back to the ballpark after the new team takes the field.
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| The gates were open, so I went in for a peek, but I couldn't find anyone inside. |
I’m looking forward to coming back to the ballpark after the new team takes the field.
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