Kokomo Jackrabbits Unveiled as New Prospect League Baseball Team
October 21, 2014 - Prospect League (Prospect)
Kokomo Jackrabbits News Release
MKE Sports & Entertainment revealed Monday afternoon the name, logo, field manager and hitting advisor of their new Prospect League Baseball team playing at Kokomo Municipal Stadium: the Kokomo Jackrabbits.
Just under one thousand entries were submitted for the Name The Team contest at KokomoBaseball.com. Of those entries, 15 people chose the Jackrabbits name and Mr. Fred Barber was randomly drawn for the $2,500 grand prize.
"The Kokomo Jackrabbits playing Prospect League baseball enhances Kokomo's identity throughout the state and Midwest," said Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight. "The name Jackrabbits is a tribute to our automotive heritage, and the team and stadium are part of Kokomo's aim to attract people to fuel the future of our city."
Other fans who submitted the winning entry at KokomoBaseball.com will receive a Kokomo Jackrabbits prize package, which includes tickets to the home opener and closer at Kokomo Municipal Stadium, an exclusive stadium tour, merchandise and more!
MKE Sports & Entertainment Owner Mike Zimmerman also introduced Greg Van Horn as field manager of the Kokomo Jackrabbits.
Van Horn is currently Assistant Baseball Coach at Princeton University. Last summer, he served as Assistant Coach of the Prospect League's Chillicothe Paints and was the shortstop on the Paints 2010 squad that won the Prospect League Championship for the first time and was ranked second in the nation among college summer league teams.
"I am incredibly grateful for this opportuni ty and am excited to be a part of bringing high level baseball back to the Kokomo community," said Van Horn. "We are committed to putting the best possible product on the field so that our fans can enjoy a winning experience from the very beginning. I can't wait to get going."
"This is another big day for the City of Kokomo and its new baseball club - the Kokomo Jackrabbits," said Zimmerman. "The new brand is strong and will certainly be a big success for merchandise sales. Our new field manager, Greg Van Horn is an up and comer and we are excited to have him lead our team and its an honor and special treat that Rob Deer has agreed to help Greg as our hitting advisor this summer."
"I'll give hitters a more refined approach than I had at the plate during my time in the majors," joked Deer with the Kokomo Tribune. "The first question that comes out all the time is how does a person whose highest batting average was .252 [serve as a hitting coach]. It's the old adage of 'do as I say, not as I did. I don't teach swing hard in case you hit it."
Ticket information and updates for the inaugural Kokomo Jackrabbits season can be found on the team's website at KokomoJackrabbits.com. Find the Kokomo Jackrabbits socially on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for further developments, conversation and more!
Prospect League Stories from October 21, 2014
- Perkovich Named Kings' Manager - Champion City Kings
- Kokomo Jackrabbits Unveiled as New Prospect League Baseball Team - Kokomo Jackrabbits
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