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We map out how an all‑Australian roster and identity will anchor a traditional summer baseball team in a fast‑growing corner of North Carolina, from stadium upgrades to merch drops to a fan‑first ticket plan. We share timelines for the name reveal, explore Aussie voices on the mic, and double down on service over hype.

• stadium renovations with turf, grandstands, and bathrooms
• growth around the ballpark and walkable postgame options
• Australian head coach with local assistant hires
• potential Aussie broadcasters and TV carriage to Australia
• name finalized, trademarks in motion, early merch strategy
• uniforms, colors, mascot, and theme‑night partners
• two‑market merch plan for locals and Australian fans
• ticket approach focused on fairness and service
• benchmarking ambition while keeping baseball traditional
• rapid‑fire fan questions and community tone

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We sit down with GM Caleb Whittimore to unpack how an all‑Australian roster, a fresh brand, and a $10 million renovation will turn Zebulon’s park into a fan‑first summer home. From turf and new concessions to playgrounds and concerts, we map the vision and the work underway.

• why a blank‑slate franchise unlocks bold choices
• Caleb’s path from scouting and coaching to GM
• the five team name finalists and what they signal
• the case for an all‑Australian roster in the CPL
• recruiting through Osball and valuing culture fit
• renovations that cut capacity and boost comfort
• turf, new bathrooms, premium refresh, video board
• a year‑round playground for families
• Aussie food concepts from meat pies to kangaroo
• plans for concerts, boxing and community events
• long‑term district development around the stadium

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I sit down with owner Dave Heller to explore how a minor league team can put community first, build smarter partnerships, and use brand identity to invite more people into the ballpark. Kelly Robinson then drops a rapid tour of Quad Cities sports history from early leagues to Modern Woodmen Park.

• why the team serves the community, not the other way around
• free flu shots, NICU funding, Camp Hope, and Family Connects support
• Bandit Scholars program as the largest scholarship effort in MiLB
• daily fan engagement and greeting every guest at the stairs
• deep partnership with the Kansas City Royals and upgraded facilities
• Copa identities and the success of Mr. Celery and Señor Apio
• rebrand lessons from Modesto: listening sessions and local designers
• the rise of multiple identities to reach new fan segments
• vision to build a ballpark from scratch with new ideas
• rapid-fire favorites: walk-offs, fireworks, and a candy-drop helicopter
• Kelly’s history segment: Tri-Cities teams, NBA and NFL roots, and Babe Ruth at Browning Field

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We trace how a bruised franchise became a community beacon: a Ferris wheel inside the gates, a fan-led return to River Bandits, and partners who bet on a big vision. Dave Heller shares the mascot check fiasco, the bridge-in-the-logo story, and why family-first design wins.

• why an amusement-park mindset belongs in a ballpark
• the lockout scare and earning back trust
• Modern Woodmen partnership and local sponsors
• fan vote restoring River Bandits name
• Francis Santaquilani’s logo suite and bridge arches
• merch surge after rebrand and color debates
• letting kids roam safely while parents watch
• critiques of the Swing era and Copa identity
• pride in a naturally retro park by the river
• next week’s focus on Quad Cities baseball history

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We compare Columbia’s hot, humid reality against Portland’s frigid springs to show how climate drives every merch choice, then dig into vendor timelines, GCP vs full custom hats, and the tradeoffs that keep a team store profitable. We wrap with a deep, lively history of Columbia baseball with Kelly Robinson.

• store size and layout shaping assortment
• weather dictating fabric, layers and accessories
• staples vs experiments and reorder strategy
• long-sleeve tees as repeat inventory risk
• vendor calendars, lead times and approvals
• GCP color tweaks vs true customs and rules
• neon and powder blue affiliation storytelling
• Official League collabs and cord cap design
• 2026–2027 hat drops, BP cap and Copa refresh
• Columbia’s baseball lineage, leagues and titles

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We trace Kevin’s path from music merch to minor league retail leadership and unpack how smart layouts, vertical storage, and on-field brand stories turn small shops into fast, profitable experiences. Paul joins to reveal why Columbia chose Fireflies, how glow details work, and what makes lightning-bug country unique.

• career arc from Sea Dogs to Fireflies
• lessons from tour merch and COVID pivots
• mavericks league planning under restrictions
• 500 sq ft store redesigned for flow
• hat walls, size ranges, and custom drops
• storage systems that mirror the sales floor
• opening a second shop to cut lines
• visual merchandising using grocery logic
• fireflies vs lightning bugs brand history
• glow-in-the-dark elements and Copa nights

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We trace a coast‑to‑coast map of independent and collegiate summer baseball, from the Arizona Fall League’s underused potential to the Northwoods’ packed old parks, and explain how fans can keep their summers full if MLB hits turbulence in 2026. We weigh stability against control, share travel tips, and highlight leagues worth your time and money.

• why 2026 MLB CBA risk makes alternatives vital
• Arizona Fall League strengths and promotion gaps
• affiliated vs independent control, costs and churn
• Appy League reinvention and team turnover
• West Coast, Pioneer, Western Canadian snapshots
• Draft League and partner leagues explained
• Pecos League realities and merch trust issues
• USPBL’s single‑stadium model lessons
• Cape Cod traditions and lawn‑chair culture
• Northwoods League atmosphere and history
• Prospect, NECBL, Futures, Old North State growth
• how to support teams through tickets and merch
• travel ideas: Cape Cod, NBC World Series marathon

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We map today’s minor league maze with clear fixes: rebalance AAA, rethink halves and divisions, end six-game series fatigue, and restore fan-first traditions without blocking development. The heart is simple: honor history, reward consistency, and make travel and rivalry logic match the map.

• AAA imbalance between International League and Pacific Coast League
• First-half titles undermined by late-season call-ups
• Six-game series and universal Monday off day issues
• Travel quirks that ignore geographic logic
• Texas League naming mismatch with team locations
• High-A and Single-A realignments that break history
• The lost charm of all-star showcases and meaningful playoffs
• Practical ideas for three AAA leagues and better scheduling
• Balancing development needs with fan experience

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Make sure you guys tune in next week where we finish our conversation regarding all of minor league leagues in the United States, right? Even in Canada, right?
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