LYNCHBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – The Lynchburg Hillcats are no longer.
Friday, the single-A affilliate of the Cleveland Guardians changed their name to the Hill City Howlers, in advance of the 2026 season.
“We needed some energy,” said owner and CEO Dylan Narang of the rebrand. “Getting a jolt of energy to the team, to the organization, and to the community, was important. And what we landed on is something that has not been done before in Minor League Baseball.”
“The Howlers represent an exciting time to be a fan of baseball in Lynchburg,” General Manager Matt Ramstead said. “With the upgrades coming to City Stadium and the renewed investment in the community, this forward-thinking rebrand sets the course for creating something the community can rally behind.”
Indy the Werewolf, mascot of Lynchburg baseball team the Hill City Howlers(Hill City Howlers)
A team statement says:
Following an extensive process, the team decided on the Howlers as the brand to rally and unite the city of Lynchburg. The Howlers are represented by five mascots, highlighted by Indy the Werewolf, who tunneled their way from neighboring Spring Hill Cemetery to City Stadium to enjoy the sport of baseball.
Local legend states that while in Lynchburg for an exhibition game in the 1920s, Babe Ruth blasted a home run so far that it landed in Spring Hill Cemetery. That ball, found by Indy and his crew, created a spark and passion for the game of baseball, prompting them to make their way to City Stadium.
After hiding in the tunnels beneath the ballpark and neighboring Spring Hill Cemetery, The Howlers have been welcomed to the surface to help renew the community’s passion for baseball in the Hill City.
The Howlers play their first game April 2 as they travel on the road to take on the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. The team returns home to introduce itself to the community April 7 at 6:30 p.m. to face the Fredericksburg Nationals.
This is not the first recent baseball rebrand for our hometowns. in November, the Salem Red Sox became the Salem RidgeYaks.
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