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Columbia Fireflies

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Columbia Fireflies
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass A
LeagueSouth Atlantic League (2016–present)
DivisionSouthern Division
Major league affiliations
Team
Team data
Name
  • Columbia Fireflies (2016–present)
  • Savannah Sand Gnats (1996–2015)
  • Savannah Cardinals (1984–1995)
ColorsNavy blue, neon green, silver, white
       
BallparkSpirit Communications Park (2016–present)
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Hardball Capital LLC
ManagerJose Leger

The Columbia Fireflies are a Minor League Baseball team based in Columbia, South Carolina. The team plays in the Class A South Atlantic League and is an affiliate of the New York Mets of the National League in Major League Baseball. The home stadium is Spirit Communications Park. The team was formerly known as the Savannah Sand Gnats (1995–2015); they relocated from Savannah, Georgia, after the 2015 season. It is the only professional baseball team in Columbia, and the first since the Capital City Bombers moved to Greenville, South Carolina, after the 2004 season.

Team history

The Capital City Bombers moved from Columbia, South Carolina, to Greenville, South Carolina, after the 2004 season. The city of Columbia approved plans to build a new stadium in 2014, with the goal of attracting a new Minor League Baseball team. Spirit Communications, a local telecommunications company, purchased the naming rights for the stadium.[1] In May 2015, the Savannah Sand Gnats of the Class A South Atlantic League, an affiliate of the New York Mets, announced that they would move to Columbia in time for the 2016 season.[2][3]

After receiving over 2,300 submissions in a public contest to name the team, they chose to call themselves the "Columbia Fireflies". The name was inspired by an article in The State, the local newspaper.[4] Portions of the team's uniforms glow in the dark as a tribute to the team's name.

Columbia earned their first ever victory as the Fireflies on April 9, 2016. In the game, three pitchers (Thomas McIlraith, Alex Palsha, and Johnny Magliozzi) combined to throw a no-hitter in a 9–0 shutout victory over the Charleston RiverDogs. The no-hitter was the Fireflies' third game. In their first ever home game, on April 14, 2016, the Fireflies defeated the Greenville Drive, 4–1, in front of 9,077 people.[5]

Roster

Columbia Fireflies roster
Players Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 17 Felix Arronde
  • 16 Jonatan Bernal
  • 28 Zachary Cawyer
  • 36 Josh Hansell
  • 33 Doug Kirkland
  • 21 Henson Leal
  • 18 Yunior Marte
  • 22 Logan Martin
  • 26 Juan Martinez
  • 24 Ismael Michel
  • 19 Mason Miller
  • 25 Elvis Novas
  • 40 Emmanuel Reyes
  • 31 Jesus Rios
  • 32 Julio Rosario
  • 18 Mauricio Veliz ~
  • 45 Blake Wolters ~
  • 51 Hiro Wyatt

Catchers

  • 12 Colton Becker
  • 11 Canyon Brown
  •  9 Dionmy Salon
  • 43 Hyungchan Um

Infielders

  •  2 Ryan Cepero
  •  8 Austin Charles
  • 12 Diego Guzman
  •  1 Brennon McNair
  •  6 Callan Moss
  •  4 Jhonny Perdomo
  •  2 Daniel Vazquez

Outfielders

  •  0 Derlin Figueroa
  • 23 Carter Frederick
  • 15 Erick Peña
  • 41 Erick Torres

Manager

  • 13 Jesus Azuaje

Coaches

  • 35 Ari Adut (hitting)
  • 44 Sam Freeman (assistant pitching)
  • 37 John Habyan (pitching)
  • 29 Kyle MacKinnon (assistant hitting)

60-day injured list

  • -- Mack Anglin (full season)
  • -- Brady McConnell
  • -- Jacob Widener (full season)

7-day injured list
* On Kansas City Royals 40-man roster
~ Development list
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporarily inactive list
Roster updated September 4, 2024
 Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB • Carolina League
 → Kansas City Royals minor league players

References

  1. ^ Callahan, Carolyn (December 3, 2014). "Bull Street Ball Park to Be Named `Spirit Communications Park`". WIS. Columbia, South Carolina. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  2. ^ White, Neil (May 21, 2015). "It's Official: Savannah Baseball Team Moving to Columbia". The State. Columbia, SC. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  3. ^ Dial, Steven; Santaella, Tony (March 25, 2015). "Savannah Baseball Team Moving to Columbia". WLTX. Columbia, SC. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  4. ^ Ransdell, Aaron (August 4, 2015). "Columbia Fireflies Named as New Baseball Name". The State. Columbia, South Carolina. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  5. ^ Fitzgerald, Kevin (April 15, 2016). "9,077 See Fireflies Win Spirit Communications Park Opener". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
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