Rome announces name change for 2024 season

A new era will begin for Rome in 2024.

The Rome Braves, Atlanta's High-A affiliate, announced last week that the team will play with a new name next year. The club is soliciting input from fans in coming up with a new moniker, with a submissions process open through Friday.

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"As we look to the future, we recognize the importance of a team name that resonates with our diverse fanbase and embodies the spirit of Rome," the club said in a press release. "We believe that the power of our community lies in its unity and shared values, and we want our team’s name to reflect these ideals."

The seat of Georgia's Floyd County, Rome is -- like its namesake -- built on seven hills. Minor League Baseball in the city dates to 1910, when the Rome Romans debuted in the old Southeastern League. For two seasons in the early 1950s, Rome fielded a Georgia-Alabama League team known as the Red Sox.

But the city was without an affiliated team from 1952 until the Braves' South Atlantic League team moved to town from Macon for the 2003 campaign. The R-Braves won a circuit title in their inaugural season and claimed another championship in 2016.

The team noted in its press release that it has "proudly donned the Braves’ iconic tomahawk across its chest," and is excited to continue its affiliation with the Braves for "years to come."

Ronald Acuña Jr., Jason Heyward, Ozzie Albies, Freddie Freeman, Michael Harris II and Craig Kimbrel are among the many MLB stars to have spent developmental time with the Rome Braves.