Columbus celebrates the next century of affiliated baseball, inks naming rights deal with Synovus
Columbus, GA – Synovus, a financial services leader rooted in Columbus, has signed a multiyear partnership with Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), the owner and operator of select Minor League clubs affiliated with Major League Baseball, to become the official naming rights partner for Columbus’ soon-to-be-renovated ballpark. A consortium of public-private
Columbus, GA – Synovus, a financial services leader rooted in Columbus, has signed a multiyear partnership with Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), the owner and operator of select Minor League clubs affiliated with Major League Baseball, to become the official naming rights partner for Columbus’ soon-to-be-renovated ballpark. A consortium of public-private partners unveiled “Synovus Park” today at a public groundbreaking ceremony celebrating Minor League Baseball’s return to Columbus as part of a planned urban renaissance and ongoing downtown revitalization project surrounding the future home of the Atlanta Braves’ Double-A affiliate.
The partnership underscores Synovus’ unwavering commitment to Columbus and its dedication to the city’s vibrancy, on display during a ceremony that signaled the dawn of a new era in Columbus’ professional baseball history, which Synovus, founded in Columbus in 1888, is uniquely suited to shepherd in. The event, which also paid homage to the stadium’s rich, 100-year legacy as Golden Park, highlighted a shared commitment by both Synovus and DBH to continue building deep connections within the Columbus community and create exciting fan experiences at the ballpark for generations to come.
Prominent attendees included: Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson; Isaiah Hugley, city manager for the City of Columbus; Kevin Blair, chairman, CEO and president of Synovus; Peter Freund, CEO of Diamond Baseball Holdings; Ronnie Richardson, regional supervisor at MLB; Chip Moore, executive vice president and senior advisor at the Atlanta Braves; and Tim Hudson, Columbus native and four-time MLB All-Star pitcher who played for the Atlanta Braves, Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants.
Renovation of the existing ballpark, owned by the City of Columbus and leased by DBH, is being led by W.C. Bradley Real Estate and general contractor Brasfield & Gorrie, with a completion date in time for the start of the 2025 season. The project ensures the history of the park is preserved while weaving in the best in modern technology and amenities to deliver a premier experience on the Chattahoochee River. The upgrades will allow the venue to operate year-round for public and private events with the expansion of seating to 5,000 – 7,000 as well as the addition of new suites, a club level, hospitality amenities and upgrades to player facilities. In addition to serving as the home field for the club, the stadium will host a variety of marquee events, making it a hub of activity and excitement for residents of Columbus and beyond.
“We are thrilled to partner with Synovus as we revamp this incredible ballpark,” said Pat Battle and Peter Freund, executive chairman and CEO of DBH, respectively. “Our goal is to build on the long and storied history of baseball in Columbus by making this new chapter all about the community. Synovus Park will offer fans a best-in-class experience on the river, combining the charm of one of the country’s oldest ballparks with a host of innovations that will make it a standout among its contemporaries. We are confident this team and ballpark will propel the revitalization of downtown while making Columbus a premier baseball destination.”
“Synovus has a long-standing dedication to the Columbus community, making them the perfect partner as we look to honor this ballpark’s legacy by modernizing the facility and making it one of the most beautiful in Minor League Baseball,” said Andrew Judelson, chief commercial officer at DBH. “Together with Synovus, we’re excited to usher in this new era of pro ball in Columbus.”
“This marks an exciting milestone for Synovus,” said Kevin Blair, chairman, CEO and president of Synovus. “We’ve been deeply rooted in Columbus for more than 135 years, and we’re committed to serving the community and helping people and businesses grow. We’re proud to have the Synovus name on the ballpark and welcome the Atlanta Braves’ Double-A Braves affiliate to Columbus.”
“In partnership with Synovus, W.C. Bradley and Brasfield & Gorrie, this state-of-the-art ballpark is going to make the city of Columbus proud,” said Pete Laven, general manager for Columbus Professional Baseball. “We are committed to instilling a community-first culture as our team and ballpark play a leading role in revitalizing downtown, but we are also confident this facility will attract baseball fans from across the country. Most importantly, for fans in Columbus, Synovus Park will be synonymous with family-friendly fun.”
“The Braves AA baseball team relocating to the Columbus, Georgia area is incredible news,” said Skip Henderson, mayor of the City of Columbus. “In addition to great baseball and an amazing family experience, Braves AA baseball will serve as an anchor for capital investment and job creation in an area of Columbus that is poised for economic development.”
The Columbus Professional Baseball club will be the Double-A affiliate of the Braves. The current name is a placeholder until a new club name, logo and mascot are unveiled to the public at a later date. The Braves’ Double-A club will continue to play as the Mississippi Braves in Pearl, MS, through the 2024 season.
About Synovus
Synovus Bank, a Georgia-chartered, FDIC-insured bank, provides commercial and consumer banking in addition to a full suite of specialized products and services including private banking, treasury management, wealth management, mortgage services, premium finance, asset-based lending, structured lending, capital markets and international banking. Synovus has branches in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee. Synovus is a Great Place to Work-Certified Company. Learn more about Synovus at synovus.com.
About Diamond Baseball Holdings
Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH) was formed in 2021 to support, promote and enhance Minor League Baseball Clubs affiliated with Major League Baseball through professional management, best practices, innovation and investment.
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two
Rox young sluggers aim to bring pop back to Coors Field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs
Astros brass sees potential in consistently 'underranked' farm system
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than
Complete results and highlights from Spring Breakout
The second edition of MLB Spring Breakout is complete, and there was no shortage of highlights from the future stars of Major League Baseball over the four-day showcase. Here's a complete breakdown of the 16-game exhibition:
Southpaw Spring Breakout: White Sox future on display with Schultz, Smith
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If all goes as planned for the White Sox, left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz won’t spend much time following each other to the mound in a single game. Schultz, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and Smith, who is
In first pro game, Rainer offers pop, promise to Tigers fans
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Bryce Rainer’s pro career consisted of workouts and batting practice until Sunday.
'Me and Brady on the dirt again': House, King reunite at Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2025 Spring Breakout was a flashback for Brady House and Seaver King. Over 10 years ago, the infielders were travel ball teammates in Georgia who shared the dream of making it to the Major Leagues. Now, they are top prospects in the same organization,
Lambert -- 'an adrenaline guy' -- hoping to be next Mets bullpen gem
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Lambert loves throwing hard. He relishes the idea of getting to two strikes and blowing hitters away. “Get me in a game,” Lambert said, “cool things will happen.”
Stewart embraces Spring Breakout: 'What's not to love?'
PHOENIX -- Sal Stewart was one fired-up Reds prospect. On Sunday in the first inning during the organization's 9-7 Spring Breakout win over Brewers prospects, Stewart lifted a 2-2 pitch that sailed over the center fielder's head to the wall. Already not known as a speedster, he stumbled running between
Prospect Peña quietly drawing raves in Brewers' farm system
PHOENIX – Jesús Made was at the top of the Brewers’ lineup for Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Reds in the finale of MLB’s four-day Spring Breakout, a fitting perch when you consider that the 17-year-old infielder is under a bright spotlight as MLB Pipeline’s No. 55 prospect. Made could
Brecht -- in 1st outing since '24 Draft -- wows at Spring Breakout
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Sunday's Spring Breakout showcase was the perfect unveiling for Rockies No. 5 prospect Brody Brecht. A right-handed pitcher from the University of Iowa whom the Rockies selected 38th overall last summer, Brecht had a nice collegiate resume, an interesting backstory as a former wide receiver for the
Braves prospects show promise in Spring Breakout
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have
Yanks' Lagrange flashes triple-digit heat in Spring Breakout
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There was an audible “Ooh” from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, and Carlos Lagrange quickly glanced beyond the right-field wall, checking the velocity of the pitch he’d just thrown in Saturday’s 5-4 Spring Breakout loss to the Orioles. It had registered in the triple digits, and
Bradfield dedicates Spring Breakout performance to late friend
SARASOTA, Fla. -- It was about more than playing in the national spotlight. More than the dinner bet placed with an old college teammate earlier in the month. More than a game. As Enrique Bradfield Jr. slid home to score a run during the first inning of Saturday night’s Spring
'Hungry' Alcántara hoping to pounce on big league prey in '25
MESA, Ariz. -- The thing about jaguars is, you don’t want to see one when it’s hungry. So when Cubs legend Sammy Sosa spoke to the organization’s No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline -- and the No. 89 prospect overall -- the former slugger gave him some apt advice. “His
Rainiers broadcaster Pay talks historic role on MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Prospect Santos 'electric' in Spring Breakout start
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Malcolm Moore knew Winston Santos was locked in before he even threw a pitch. In the second annual Spring Breakout game, Santos -- the Rangers’ No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline -- was throwing to Moore, the Rangers’ No. 4 prospect and highest-ranked catcher. The battery more
Switch-pitcher Cijntje deals from both sides in Spring Breakout
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Jurrangelo Cijntje knew who’d be waiting for him in the batter’s box when he emerged from the visiting bullpen on Friday evening. The Mariners’ switch-pitcher had seen Guardians infielder Travis Bazzana recently at a card-signing event, to which they each joked, “I’m going to see you soon,”
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.
Chandler adds mix to upper-90s heat in stellar Spring Breakout start
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- In the inaugural Spring Breakout game a year ago, as he was coming out to pitch the ninth inning, Bubba Chandler slammed a Red Bull and declared “let’s do this” before pumping upper-90s heat.