Minor league baseball has its share of teams with unusual names for mascots. For example, there are the Lansing (Mich.) Lugnuts, Toledo (Ohio) Mud Hens, Vermont Lake Monsters, Savannah (Ga.) Sand Gnats and the Richmond (Va.) Flying Squirrels.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals were almost the Thunder Chickens when the team came into existence before the 2008 season. The team acknowledges the moniker once each season by wearing Thunder Chicken uniforms for a home game at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale.
When the New Britain Rock Cats move to Hartford, Conn., in 2016, they'll do so with another unusual team name: the Hartford Yard Goats.
The Class AA affiliate of the Colorado Rockies made the decision Tuesday when team officials picked Yard Goats over Hedgehogs, Praying Mantis, River Hogs and Whirlybirds. A logo and team colors will be unveiled in about a month, with a "Name the Mascot" contest and uniform unveiling to follow.
Although the name Yard Goats is an old railroad slang term for an engine that switches a train to get it ready for another locomotive, the animal angle lends itself to logo and merchandise options. According to the Hartford Courier, the team's stadium could also have a petting zoo during the season.
"When you think of a name, it's about what you can market and what appeals to kids," General Manager Tim Restall said. "We can do a lot with this name."
The name was submitted by Anthony Castora, a northern New Jersey resident who was awarded two season tickets for life. Castora said he plans to donate his tickets to charity, but will attend Opening Day next season.
Who's battier?
Pitcher A.J. Burnett (North Little Rock, Central Arkansas Christian) has long been known as a big fan of Batman. He has a Batman tattoo on his forearm and has been known to dress as the caped crusader.
But he has some competition in the clubhouse this season. When the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Corey Hart to a one-year deal in the offseason, they brought in a player who not only has his own Batman tattoo on his forearm, he also has a "Why So Serious?" tattoo on his back, a possible reference to Batman: The Dark Knight from 2008.
Hart recently told Michael Clair of MLB.com that he has "every Batman movie poster signed by the cast, original Bob Kane art, multiple paintings that are signed by either Christian [Bale] or [Michael] Keaton or whoever. I've got tons of comic books, tons of action figures -- I've got probably 100 action figures still in boxes."
Hart said Burnett is "underestimating me. He doesn't understand the level of what I have at the house."
As for whether Hart will sit atop some Pittsburgh skyscrapers this season, looking to exact justice on the street, he said, "On occasion. If the family's gone, I might put my costume on and hang out, see what happens."
Sports quiz
How many major league teams has Corey Hart played for?
Answer
Three: the Milwaukee Brewers, the Seattle Mariners and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Sports on 03/20/2015