49 replies to this topic

[Teflon]

Feel free to offer your suggestions for a better team name than the Wichita Wind Surge.

 

The Twins new AA franchise in Wichita was supposed to begin play in 2020 as a AAA team of the Marlins in the Pacific Coast League. They had relocated from New Orleans and just built a new ballpark. Folks in Wichita were excited - until they revealed their new branding - the Wind Surge!

 

What does Wind Surge mean? This wasn't chosen via a fan contest. It was just put out there from the team. Take it or leave it. From what I can tell, it is a coastal weather phenomenon that causes increases in ocean waves. How does that apply to Wichita? Well, it doesn't. They inserted a winged horse in their logo which made Wichitans scratch their heads even more. I'm thinking maybe the same people who decorated the Denver airport had something to do with this. 

 

In looking back in Wichita minor league baseball history, their last representation in AA was by a team called the Wranglers - not a super great name, but still much much better than the Wind Surge. Any chance the Twins can buy up any existing Wind Surge products and then rebrand them again?

 

[terrydactyls1947]

The Wichita Trucks with Monster Tires

[terrydactyls1947]

The Wichita Witches

[terrydactyls1947]

The Wichita Get Me Out of Here

[terrydactyls1947]

The Wichita Flying Wombats

[ashbury]

Wikipedia leads me to believe that aircraft manufacture (Cessna etc) is a major part of the local economy, and while maybe the city gets tired of that motif, I would throw Wichita Aviators out there for consideration.

 

/ edit - belatedly, that rang a bell... the Wichita Aeros were their AAA team from 1970-84. Maybe memories are bittersweet in that regard, after that team moved to Buffalo.

[cmoss84]

The Wichita Stitches

[SQUIRREL]

Just drop the surge part ... the Witchita Wind

[tvagle]

I'll make this an ode to Chief post:

 

Wichita is the birthplace of White Castle fast-food chains...leading me to suggest The Wichita Sliders for two obvious reasons (as anyone who's ever made a midnight run to White Castle, followed by a 4:00am run of a different sort)

 

A.A. Hyde discovered Mentholatum in 1894 in the current The Spice Merchant & Company building in Wichita...

The Wichita Vapors (also foreshadowing the level of the current team...now)

 

Other local Semi-Pro/Pro teams...Wichita Force (Champions Indoor Football League as if you didn't know already) and Wichita Thunder (Hockey - ECHL, an AA level professional league)...lead me to the obvious Wichita Lightning or Stealing the Wichita State Shockers monicker but instead will offer up The Wichita Energizers (as in AA)

 

"I don't care Wichita as long as its a ta" - didn't want to bury the lead

[Thegrin]

The Wichita Plainsmen, or Planesmen (with a nod to Cessna)

[IndianaTwin]

The Wichita Linemen. 

[GP830]

The Wichita Linemen.

That’s a no brainer. Absolutely.

[mikelink45]

Tornadoes - this is tornado alley.And that is a real wind surge.

 

[nclahammer]

 

The Wichita Linemen. 

No more calls ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner, Google the Glen Campell song if you'r e not familiar with Wichita Lineman (I'm sure they could change it to the plural version Linemen.)If we are able to baseball road trip this summer, we are so going to hit Cedar Rapids on our way down to Wichita.Maybe catch Omaha and Des Moines on the way back.

[Nine of twelve]

I have enjoyed reading this thread so far, but it points up how difficult it is to come up with a suitable team name and/or mascot these days. The people in the marketing department want a cool, appropriate name that has never been used by any other team ever in history so that official merchandise will sell well and so that the team doesn't infringe on an existing trademark. The fans want a cool, appropriate name that has never been used by any other team ever in history so they can feel a special connection to the team.

I would guess that Wind Surge is a name that has never been used by any other team ever in history, probably for good reasons. And it may be appropriate. But as for me I'm at a loss to come up with a name that is unique, cool, and appropriate.

[ashbury]

I'm not from Wichita, but I bet a goodly percentage of the residents there are soooooo sick and tired of that Glen Campbell song.

[Nine of twelve]

 

The Wichita Linemen. 

This would probably involve royalty payments to Jimmy Webb.

[PDX Twin]

 

The Wichita Witches

 

Perhaps the Wichita Warlocks would be more appropriate and also alliterate. But Kansas is full of Bible-thumpers, so I'm sure this wouldn't be politically acceptable.

[Teflon]

 

 

Wichita is the birthplace of White Castle fast-food chains...leading me to suggest The Wichita Sliders for two obvious reasons (as anyone who's ever made a midnight run to White Castle, followed by a 4:00am run of a different sort)

 

 

I liked this idea but unfortunately White Castle abandoned Wichita and the state of Kansas.  

[tarheeltwinsfan]

What about the Wichita Flathead Catfish or the Wichita Gizzard Shard. Both species are available to be caught in the Little Arkansas River flowing through lovely downtown Wichita.