Fans in this Minor League town are hungry for ... the Spicy Meatballs?!?
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
When we last checked in with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, the New York Mets’ Double-A affiliate had just released their Bathtub Donkeys alternate identity. This tribute to an archaic and perhaps apocryphal state law will be complemented on the team’s 2025 promotional calendar by another, perhaps even more absurd, alter-ego:
The Southern Tier Spicy Meatballs.
"The primary logo features a meatball portrayed as an Italian gondolier on a bed of pasta making its way through a river of sauce with a baseball bat fork," wrote the Rumble Ponies in their press release, providing a perfect example of how, in Minor League Baseball, even straightforward descriptions carry a strong whiff of the whimsical. "The secondary logo features the baseball bat fork of the meatball bat gondolier with spaghetti noodles wrapped around the utensil."
That’s what the Spicy Meatballs look like, but why do they exist in the first place?
There is a significant Italian population throughout central New York’s Southern Tier region, of which Binghamton is a part. The Rumble Ponies specifically single out nearby Endicott as an epicenter of Italian heritage; this locale, along with Binghamton and Johnson City, makes up the Southern Tier’s “Triple Cities” metropolitan area. (From 1923-68, Binghamton’s Minor League team was known as the Triplets, a reference to the Triple Cities.)
"In the early days of Endicott, N.Y., an area known as the North Side was huge with Italian roots," according to the press release. "Many of the Italian immigrants moving to the region worked at the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company, Inc. However, many property owners would not sell land to Italian immigrants, so Endicott-Johnson purchased properties for their employees and along the cobblestone streets of Endicott grew the vibrant community of Little Italy..."
The Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company, established in 1899, was for a time the largest manufacturer of footwear in the nation. Company president George Johnson, known for his philanthropy and generally enlightened approach to labor relations, bestowed the region with six carousels between 1919 and 1934. These carousels, still operating, inspired the Binghamton Mets to change their name from the Mets to the Rumble Ponies in 2016. A Rumble Pony, you see, is a slang for a carousel horse.
Despite the influence of the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company within the Southern Tier region, the Rumble Ponies have yet to unveil a footwear-themed alternate identity. For an example of such, one doesn’t have to leave the state of New York, or the Mets' farm system. In 2018, the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs (now known as the Mets) played as the Devices, an homage to the ubiquitous Brannock Device foot measuring tool that was invented in Syracuse.
As for the Southern Tier Spicy Meatballs, the aforementioned meatball gondolier will be depicted within a uniform featuring a green, red and white color scheme (in a nod to the Italian flag). The Rumble Ponies will adopt this identity from Aug. 14-16, in conjunction with the annual bazaar staged by the nearby St. Mary of the Assumption church.
Though it remains to be seen how the Spicy Meatballs will fare on the field, their mere existence has already generated plenty of online enthusiasm. No less an entity than the State of New York was moved to weigh in, simply tweeting, "This eats."
Mangia, mangia!
Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes Ben's Biz Blog. Follow Ben on Twitter @bensbiz.
Fresno Grizzlies Announce Select 2025 Daily Specials
Fresno (CA) – The Fresno Grizzlies have unveiled a portion of their 2025 Daily Specials, aimed at providing fans with different ways to enjoy games throughout the season. With repeating specials on every game day, excluding Saturdays, fans can take advantage of discounts, bundles, and more. 2 for Tuesday, presented
Fresno Grizzlies Announce 2025 Front Office Changes
Fresno (CA) – In anticipation of the 2025 season, the Fresno Grizzlies are thrilled to announce the following new hires and promotions within the organization: - Rylie Atherton joins the Fresno Grizzlies as the team’s newest Account Executive, Ticket Sales directly after securing her Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Business from
Fresno Grizzlies Unveil 10th Anniversary Fresno Tacos Uniform
Fresno (CA) – This morning, the Fresno Grizzlies released the latest redesign in the storied history of their Fresno Tacos alter ego. The 2025 Tacos uniform is a celebration of 10 seasons of Tacos baseball, with the Grizzlies first making the transformation to their world-famous alter ego in 2015. As
Fresno Grizzlies Single Game Tickets On Sale Now
Fresno, CA - This morning, the Fresno Grizzlies went on sale with their full slate of 2025 Single Game Tickets. With Opening Day less than 2 months away, fans can now choose their top games and seats for any home game at Chukchansi Park this season. As part of their
Fresno Grizzlies Release 2025 Promotional Calendar
Fresno, CA - This morning, the Fresno Grizzlies unveiled their 2025 promotional schedule featuring 34 unique theme nights. With many popular nights returning as well as new additions to the theme night slate, this year’s promotional calendar once again ensures that there is something for everyone at Chukchansi Park this
Fresno Grizzlies Announce Coaching Staff for 2025 Season
Fresno, CA - The Fresno Grizzlies and Colorado Rockies have announced the Fresno field and support staff for the 2025 season. Cesar Galvez, who spent the last two seaons as the Grizzlies’ Bench Coach, has been named Manager of the Fresno Grizzlies. Also returning to the Fresno staff is Jerry
Fresno Grizzlies To Host Annual Job Fair February 8
Fresno, CA - The Fresno Grizzlies are preparing for the 2025 season by hosting their yearly job fair on Saturday, February 8. The annual hiring event aims to fill over 100 positions at the ballpark that are an integral part of the game-to-game success of the organization. “We love getting
Fresno Grizzlies Unveil 2025 Season Theme - IT HAPPENS HERE.
Fresno (CA) – This morning the Fresno Grizzlies revealed their 2025 season theme and tagline - IT HAPPENS HERE. From fun to excitement to making memories, everything happens at Chukchansi Park. With over 200 events per year, including Fresno Grizzlies baseball, Tequila Fest, and Taco Truck Throwdown, the downtown Fresno
Fresno Grizzlies Announce Tequila Fest To Be Headlined by Ludacris
Fresno (CA) – This morning, the Fresno Grizzlies announced that Tequila Fest, set to return to Chukchansi Park on Saturday, May 17, will be headlined by three-time Grammy Award-winning artist Ludacris. Continuing the tradition of national-headlining acts like T-Pain, Busta Rhymes, T.I., Lil Jon, and many more, 2025 Tequila Fest’s
Tequila Fest Set To Take Place On May 17 at Chukchansi Park
Fresno (CA) – This morning, the Fresno Grizzlies announced that Tequila Fest will return to Chukchansi Park on Saturday, May 17. Tequila Fest, which was awarded the title of Best Non-Gameday Event of 2023 by Minor League Baseball, is a celebration of local food, vendors, throwbacks, and, of course, tequila.
Fresno Grizzlies’ David Jacinto Wins 2024 California League Head Groundskeeper of the Year Award
Fresno, CA - The Fresno Grizzlies and Minor League Baseball are proud to announce that Grizzlies’ Groundskeeper David Jacinto has won the California League Head Groundskeeper of the Year Award. This is Jacinto’s third time winning the top groundskeeper honor in his career and his second recognition in the California
Taco Truck Throwdown 13 Set To Take Over Chukchansi Park This Saturday
Fresno, CA – Chukchansi Park will turn into the epicenter of the taco universe this Saturday, November 9th, as the downtown Fresno ballpark hosts its annual Taco Truck Throwdown. Now in its 13th year, the annual event will feature music from Larry June, Coyote, Los Del Puerto, wrestling from Lucha
UPDATE: October 20th Concert at Chukchansi Park
The Thomas Rhett performance that was scheduled to take place on Sunday, October 20, at Chukchansi Park, has been cancelled. All credit and debit card transactions will be refunded to the purchasing card within 3-5 business days. Refunds on all cash transactions must be claimed at the Chukchansi Park Ticket
Jace Kaminska Named California League Pitcher of the Year; 2 More Grizzlies Also Announced as All Stars
Fresno, CA – Minor League Baseball announced Wednesday morning that three Fresno Grizzlies were awarded California League All-Star honors thanks to their stellar 2024 campaigns. Right-handed starting pitcher Jace Kaminska, left-handed relief pitcher Welinton Herrera and third baseman Braylen Wimmer were the winning recipients of their respective positions, as voted
Hibernation comes early for Grizzlies in 11-5 loss to Giants in 2024 finale
Fresno, CA (Sunday, September 8) – The Fresno Grizzlies (29-37, 67-64) were vanquished by the San Jose Giants (37-29, 74-57) 11-5 Sunday afternoon from Chukchansi Park. Fresno went into hibernation, dropping the final contest of the regular season, splitting the six-game set with their North Division rival. A Sunday crowd
All smiles as Fresno topples San Jose 7-3 in penultimate game of season
Fresno, CA (Saturday, September 7) – The Fresno Grizzlies (29-36, 67-63) conquered the San Jose Giants (36-29, 73-57) 7-3 Saturday night from Chukchansi Park. Fresno’s penultimate game of the season ended with an offensive outpouring, as the Grizzlies tallied 12 hits and seven runs. The Grizzlies improved to 13-9 on
Comeback claws trimmed by inches in Fresno’s 6-5 (11) defeat versus San Jose
Fresno, CA (Friday, September 6) – The Fresno Grizzlies (28-36, 66-63) were stunned by the San Jose Giants (36-28, 73-56) 6-5 in 11 frames Friday night from Chukchansi Park. The two teams have played 21 total innings over the past two evenings, both ending with free baseball. One night after
Tena and Mena shrink Giants in Grizzlies’ 5-4 (10) walk-off dub
Fresno, CA (Thursday, September 5) – The Fresno Grizzlies (28-35, 66-62) walked-off on the San Jose Giants (35-28, 72-56) 5-4 in 10 frames Thursday night from Chukchansi Park. Fresno enjoyed their ninth walk-off win of the 2024 season with their third consecutive coming in the 10th. The Grizzlies relished a
Hopfe and Hobson hammer homers, but Fresno falls 10-5 to San Jose
Fresno, CA (Wednesday, September 4) – The Fresno Grizzlies (27-35, 65-62) were defeated by the San Jose Giants (35-27, 72-55) 10-5 Wednesday night from Chukchansi Park. The Grizzlies offense scattered nine hits with seven of them landing for singles (first six batters in order had a hit). Fresno also swiped
McCabe’s late knock backs Luciano’s stellar outing in Grizzlies 5-1 win over Giants
Fresno, CA (Monday, September 2) – The Fresno Grizzlies (27-34, 65-61) growled past the San Jose Giants (34-27, 71-55) 5-1 Monday evening from Chukchansi Park. Fresno improved to 46-12 overall and 24-4 at home when allowing three runs or fewer. The Grizzlies finished the season 14-10 in the first game
Rawhide rope Grizzlies 2-1 to open up September
Visalia, CA (Sunday, September 1) – The Fresno Grizzlies (26-34, 64-61) fell to the Visalia Rawhide (35-25, 64-61) 2-1 Sunday afternoon from Valley Strong Ballpark. Fresno dropped the finale and suffered a series setback to their Highway 99 rival. The Grizzlies finished 33-34 on the road overall and 10-23 in
Postseason Chances Dashed after Fresno’s 6-3 loss in Visalia
Visalia, CA (Saturday, August 31) – The Fresno Grizzlies (26-33, 64-60) were overwhelmed by the Visalia Rawhide (34-25, 63-61) 6-3 Saturday night from Valley Strong Ballpark. The Grizzlies fell to 49-16 all-time against the Rawhide (6-5 this season). Fresno has won 30 of their last 41 contests against their Highway
Walks and errors cost Fresno in 3-2 setback to Visalia
Visalia, CA (Friday, August 30) – The Fresno Grizzlies (26-32, 64-59) were edged out by the Visalia Rawhide (33-25, 62-61) 3-2 Friday night from Valley Strong Ballpark. The Grizzlies dropped to 49-15 all-time against the Rawhide (6-4 this season). Fresno has won 30 of their last 40 contests against their
Laundry List of Grizzlies’ Longballs Place Rawhide in 11-2 Spin-Cycle
Visalia, CA (Thursday, August 29) – The Fresno Grizzlies (26-31, 64-58) washed away the Visalia Rawhide (32-25, 61-61) stain 11-2 Thursday evening from Valley Strong Ballpark. Fresno had two players almost spin cycles in Felix Tena and Blake Wright, with both needing triples. The Grizzlies improved to 49-14 all-time against
Grizzlies OF Robert Calaz Named 2024 Arizona Complex League MVP
Fresno, CA - Minor League Baseball announced Thursday morning that current Fresno Grizzlies OF Robert Calaz was named the 2024 Arizona Complex League MVP in their end-of-season awards. Calaz was also selected as one of the three top outfielders in the league and the only Rockies prospect named to the