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| Wild Health Genomes | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| League | Atlantic League of Professional Baseball |
| Location | Lexington, Kentucky |
| Ballpark | Wild Health Field (2022–present) |
| Founded | 2022 |
| Disbanded | 2022 |
| Nickname(s) | Genomes |
| Manager | Mark Minicozzi |
The Wild Health Genomes were an American professional baseball team based in Lexington, Kentucky. Founded in 2022, they were a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an MLB Partner League.[1][2] The Genomes were owned by the same group as the Lexington Legends and shared Wild Health Field with the Legends.[3]
Following the addition of the Staten Island FerryHawks as the ninth Atlantic League team, the Genomes were created to ensure an even number of teams for the 2022 season.[3] This was the first time that an Atlantic League "filler" team has had a home stadium, as the Road Warriors were a travelling club during their intermittent stints in the league.
The Genomes made history on March 23, 2022, when they drafted catcher Alexis "Scrappy" Hopkins with the eighth pick, the first woman ever drafted for an on-field role in professional baseball.[4] In their lone season, they finished in 3rd place in the South Division during the first half with a 35–31 record, then finished the second half in a tie for third with the High Point Rockers at 32–34. With the Gastonia Honey Hunters winning both halves, the Genomes' 67–65 overall record saw them finish four games behind the Rockers for the wild card spot.
Following the season, the Genomes' spot in the league was purchased by Attain Sports and Entertainment, owners of the Bowie Baysox and Frederick Keys. The new Spire City Ghost Hounds began to play at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium, home of the Keys, in 2023.[5] It is not known if the new Frederick team will continue past 2023 or will also be a "filler" team in anticipation of the previously announced Hagerstown team scheduled to begin play in 2024.[6]
- ^ Reichard, Kevin (September 23, 2020). "Indy Atlantic League designated MLB Partner League". Ballpark Digest. August Publishing. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
- ^ Reichard, Kevin (September 24, 2020). "American Association, Frontier League now MLB Partner Leagues". Ballpark Digest. August Publishing. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
- ^ a b Drummond, Cameron (February 11, 2022). "The Kentucky Wild Health Genomes are here. Here's How and Why they exist". Lexington Herald-Leader.
- ^ Murphy, Brian (March 23, 2022). "Alexis 'Scrappy' Hopkins makes history as Atlantic League draft pick". MLB.com. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
- ^ "Attain Sports & Entertainment acquires Atlantic League team in Frederick, Md". atlanticleague.com. November 16, 2022.
- ^ McMillion, Dave (March 1, 2022). "New Hagerstown baseball stadium expected to be completed in 2024". The Herald-Mail. Herald-Mail Media. Archived from the original on March 1, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2023.