Lynchburg Hillcats

Lynchburg Hillcats
Lynchburg Hillcats
Founded in 1963 ; Lynchburg, Virginia ;
Minor league affiliations
Class	Single-A (2021–present)
Previous classes	Class A-Advanced (1990–2020); Class A (1966–1989); Double-A (1963–1965); Class B (1943–1955);
League	Carolina League (1966–present)
Division	North Division
Previous leagues	Southern League (1963–1965); South Atlantic League (1962–1963); Appalachian League (1959); Piedmont League (1943–1955); Virginia League (1886–1942, various);
Major league affiliations
Team	Cleveland Indians / Guardians (2015–present)
Previous teams	Atlanta Braves (2011–2014); Cincinnati Reds (2010); Pittsburgh Pirates (1995–2009); Boston Red Sox (1988–1994); New York Mets (1976–1987); Texas Rangers (1975); Minnesota Twins (1970–1974); Chicago White Sox (1963–1969); St. Louis Cardinals (1943–1955);
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
Name	Lynchburg 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);
Colors	Midnight blue, cyan, green, white;
Mascot	Southpaw 2.0
Ballpark	Calvin Falwell Field (1963–present)
Owner(s)/; Operator(s)	Elmore Sports Group
General manager	Matt Ramstead
Manager	Jordan Smith

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]

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

[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.

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