“POD ’10” – When a Cardinal Is Not Red

The very definition of “fantasy baseball” continues…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Columbia’s “Baby ’Birds” show its true colors

COLUMBIA, Mo. (November 9, 2009) – The Midwest League’s Columbia Cardinals today unveiled its full brand identity portfolio, including all on-field apparel and a commemorative inaugural season logo for 2010.

The “Baby ’Birds” logos and trademarks are similar to those of the St. Louis Cardinals and its other, higher-level affiliates in Memphis, Springfield (Mo.) and Palm Beach (Fla.), but with some noticeable differences.

To help highlight Columbia’s position in the affiliate hierarchy – and to visually describe the experience level of its players – the C-Cards’ logos depict the tan and red tip-feathered “transitional” or “immature” male cardinals that have not grown into its cardinal red plumage featured prominently in its parent club’s logo package.

“As the third member of Cardinal Nation within Missouri’s boundaries, we wanted to maintain the overall look of the Cardinal brand while also creating an identity that is uniquely ours,” said General Manager Kurt Hunzeker. “The full complement of trademarks also celebrates the Cardinals’ historical following throughout Mid-Missouri and updates classic logo favorites fans continue to love today.”

Two transitional male cardinals make up the famed “Birds on the Bat” graphic in the primary logo, with “Columbia” hanging onto the bat in the same customized script font used in St. Louis and Springfield. All of the team’s on-field jerseys – including the home “whites,” road “grays” and alternate red with blue piping tops – will feature the primary logo across the chest.

Each of the C-Cards’ on-field caps will be produced by New Era Cap and resemble the same look of St. Louis’ official caps: an interlocking script “C” and transitional male cardinal on a single bat emblazon the all-red home and all-navy lids. The team’s moisture-wicking batting practice cap is navy with a red button and bill and the transitional male cardinal standing tall atop the yellow bat.

The team’s inaugural season logo, a modified take on St. Louis’ circular logo from the ‘70s and ‘80s, includes a ribbon denoting the team’s first year and striped to reflect the Cardinals’ unique sock pattern. This embroidered patch will be on the left sleeve of all on-field apparel and the logo itself will be featured extensively throughout 2010.

Hunzeker said the team will continue to roll out new merchandise in the weeks leading up to the holiday season, with items available at Taylor Stadium, Brady Commons on the University of Missouri campus and at the C-Cards’ offices on Broadway in downtown Columbia.

Again, I want to clearly state that none of the above is true, factual or even remotely going to happen. This is purely a “what if”/hypothetical case study of what the birth of a new Minor League Baseball team could be like leading up to Opening Day 2010.