The Spartanburgers, a new High-A minor league baseball team, are part of the South Atlantic League and are affiliated with the Texas Rangers. They relocated from Kinston, North Carolina, where they were known as the “Down East Wood Ducks.” Their new home, Fifth Third Park, is a brand new and luxurious stadium located in downtown that seats more than 5,000 fans and is part of a larger effort to bring more entertainment to the city of Spartanburg.
Nic Battocchio (11) has been to many Spartanburgers games this season and has enjoyed seeing a new sports team that calls Spartanburg home.
“I have been to most of the games ever since the team debuted back in April. The stadium overall is very nice and the atmosphere there is always great with lots of fans,” Battocchio said.
The team’s name, “Spartanburgers,” is a playful twist on the city’s name and generates a sense of pride for the team and the city itself. Team officials said they wanted something fun and memorable that would connect with the people of Spartanburg. So far, fans have embraced the name and the team’s unique branding.
Andy Metz (12) is not only a fan of the Spartanburgers, but is also a worker at Fifth Third Park.
“I’ve worked at the stadium since this summer started, and I have had so much fun meeting new people and working with a few of my friends,” Metz said.
The Spartanburgers played their first game on April 4, winning 4-3 against the Aberdeen IronBirds. Since then, they have shown strong potential for the team’s future, winning many games. Third baseman Gleider Figuereo and catcher Malcolm Moore have stood out as key players to watch this season. Both are considered rising prospects in the Texas Rangers organization.
The Spartanburgers offer fans more than just a baseball game. Their home games feature themed nights like “Boom & Doom Night,” “Super Smash Burgers Night,” “Squash the Beef Night” and more. Fun sights and activities inside Fifth Third include fireworks shows after every Friday night’s games, all sorts of giveaways and other special events. Various promotions and interesting themes have attracted friends, families and fans, turning each game into a fun way to spend the night out downtown.
Local businesses near the stadium are also benefiting from the team’s arrival. Different restaurants and shops are seeing more customers on game days.
As the season continues, the Spartanburgers are quickly becoming a big part of the Hub City community. Whether a baseball fan or just looking for something different to do around town, the Spartanburgers always put on a great show at Fifth Third Park.
Brady Lowry (12) has attended a few Spartanburgers games this season and had lots of fun with his friends and family.
“The first game I went to was on Easter Sunday, and I went with my family and a few friends. The stadium is very nice and modern and at every game, there is always a great atmosphere and lots of fans. There’s a lot of good food in the stadium and there is a team store which has a lot of unique stuff for the team,” Lowry said.
