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Gastonia’s new professional baseball team reveals name, mascot

GASTONIA, N.C. — Introducing the Honey Hunters!

Gastonia’s professional baseball team released its new name and logo Wednesday morning in a virtual announcement.

The Atlantic League team is now the Gastonia Honey Hunters, and its mascot is a honey badger.

The new team name pays homage to Ransom Hunter, Gaston County’s first freed slave and African-American landowner.

The name was chosen from five finalists selected in 2020: The Gastonia Fire Ants, Gastonia Hogzillas, Gastonia Honey Hunters, Gastonia Hotshots, and Gastonia Uppercuts.