Storm to become Elsinore Avocados

LAKE ELSINORE, CA - In an effort to honor the heritage of the great state of California, the Lake Elsinore Storm announced Friday that they will officially be changing their team nickname after the All-Star break in June of this year.

After hosting the California League and Carolina League's All-Star Game in June, the Lake Elsinore Storm, Advanced-A Affiliate of the San Diego Padres, will officially change their name to the "Elsinore Avocados" for the remainder of the 2016 season and for the foreseeable time afterwards.

The name change comes as an attempt to honor the avocado growers of the Southern California region and to promote a healthy and green-living "Cali-Lifestyle."

"As a team, it is one of our focuses to not only entertain our fans, but help their waistlines," Raj Narayanan, General Manager of the soon-to-be Elsinore Avacados said Friday. "Change is healthy for an organization, and this change just so happens to be a 'healthy' change."

Narayanan said that after several brainstorming meetings and focus-groups to decide on a new name for the team, the avocado was the clear and obvious choice.

"Avocados are a super food. They're gluten free, dairy free, vegan, vegetarian and cholesterol-free," said Mark Beskid, Assistant General Manager. "Avocados are naturally full of nutrition, so there's no need for special labels, except labels of champions."

Beskid said he hopes Friday's name change will be just the thing to motivate the players on the field to the franchise's fourth league title.

The name change comes with a newly imagined logo, jersey and hat designs.

After heated focus-group debate, it was stated that the current team mascot, Thunder will remain the same, but slightly adapted.

"We came out lucky with our mascot," Beskid said. "Thunder is already green and basically shaped like an avocado. So, it is our vision to keep him around for a few more years."

In cooperation with business mogul, Tim Whatley of Manhatten, NY the newly named avocados will auction off the jerseys at the end of the 2016 season to benefit the Human Fund.

"The Elsinore Avocados are proud to join the long list of wonderful organizations supporting the Human Fund," Narayanan said.

The Human Fund is a charity supporting people by providing money to families affected by a lack of money.

"I feel like our fans will rally behind the Human Fund and provide the 'money for people,'" Narayanan added. "Our entire staff has been an outstanding advocate for the cause, and we thank them for their commitment to this initiative and effort to provide fans with a wonderful ballpark experience," Narayanan added.

For more information about Elsinore Avocado tickets, promotions, the Human Fund and delicious guacamole recipes, connect with the Storm on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat... April Fool's!