— By Bill Cornwell
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — There will be plenty of green on display at brand new Jack Cook Field this summer. The Appalachian League has announced a nickname and color scheme for the new college-league team based in Huntington, which will play its home games at Marshall’s new field.
The Tri-State Coal Cats will don green and black, with the team’s nickname serving as a salute to the region’s ties to the coal industry.
Logo was done by Dylan Winters, a Marshall athletics graphic designer.
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙖𝙩𝙨 𝘼𝙧𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜!!
The Tri-State Coal Cats are coming to Jack Cook Field in Summer 2024!
On Thursday, @MLB and @AppyLeague unveiled Tri-State’s team mascot and logos.
Read below on the inspiration behind the Coal Cats.
🔗: https://t.co/XFvnrahU9K pic.twitter.com/r5JNVb4nJM
— Marshall Athletics (@HerdZone) February 15, 2024
Marshall’s athletic department is working with the Appalachian League and MU Director of Athletics Christian Spears says the team will be a boost to the area’s economy this summer.
“One of the deliverables we acknowledged as a focal point when the city and state came through so significantly for us with the financials for the new ballpark was our commitment to being an economic engine for additional development in our city and region,” Spears said. “Bringing a new team via the MLB-partnered Appalachian League was one of the ways we would do that. We are just thrilled that it came together quickly with the right partners and the right league in our brand new Ballpark at One Jack Cook Way.”
Management of the new team is being handled by CC Baseball Club, headed by President and General Manager Jason Camp and Vice President of Operations Sean Collins.
“I started my career helping the Florida Marlins franchise get its spring training facility up and running and served as assistant GM for the Minor League team,”Camp said. “Along with my Coal Cats staff, I am excited to bring the family fun atmosphere of the Appalachian League to the Tri-State area.”
The club recently announced the hirings of Tommy Gregg as Manager and Salomon Torres as pitching coach.
The Coal Cats open the season at home on June 4 against the Pulaski River Turtles.