Lynchburg Hillcats

Lynchburg Hillcats
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
ClassSingle-A (2021–present)
Previous classes
LeagueCarolina League (1966–present)
DivisionNorth Division
Previous leagues
Major league affiliations
TeamCleveland Indians / Guardians (2015–present)
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles (8)
  • 1978
  • 1983
  • 1984
  • 1997
  • 2002
  • 2009
  • 2012
  • 2017
Division titles (1)
  • 2022
First-half titles (1)
  • 2022
Team data
NameLynchburg Hillcats (1995–present)
Previous names
  • Lynchburg Red Sox (1988–1994)
  • Lynchburg Mets (1976–1987)
  • Lynchburg Rangers (1975)
  • Lynchburg Twins (1970–1974)
  • Lynchburg White Sox (1963–1969)
  • Lynchburg Cardinals (1943–1955)
  • Lynchburg Senators (1940–1942)
  • Lynchburg Grays (1939)
  • Lynchburg Shoemakers (1906–1917, various)
  • Lynchburg Climbers (1894–1896)
ColorsMidnight blue, cyan, green, white
       
MascotSouthpaw 2.0
BallparkCalvin Falwell Field (1963–present)
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Elmore Sports Group
General managerMatt Ramstead
ManagerJordan Smith
Websitemilb.com/lynchburg

The Lynchburg Hillcats are a Minor League Baseball team in Lynchburg, Virginia that plays in the Carolina League and is the Single-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. They were a farm team of the Atlanta Braves from 2011 to 2014, the Cincinnati Reds in 2010, and the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1995 to 2009. The Hillcats play home games at Bank of the James Stadium; refurbished and renamed in 2004, the stadium seats 4,291 fans.

In May 2016, the franchise announced that they would rebrand after the season.[1] When put to a fan vote for a new moniker with "Derechos," "Doves," "Lamb Chops," "Love Apples," and "River Runners" as options, a majority of fans voted to retain the Hillcats name.[2] They did, however, unveil new logos and a different color scheme, consisting of seven hills green, Blue Ridge blue, and midnight blue, for the 2017 season.[3]

In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Hillcats were organized into the Low-A East at the Low-A classification.[4] In 2022, the Low-A East became known as the Carolina League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization, and was reclassified as a Single-A circuit.[5]

  1. ^ Walls, Dave (May 24, 2016). "Lynchburg Hillcats announce contest to rename franchise". WSET.
  2. ^ "Lynchburg to Remain Hillcats". Ballpark Digest. July 27, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  3. ^ "Lynchburg Hillcats Unveil New Logos". Ballpark Digest. October 28, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  4. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  5. ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2024.