Meet the Hyannis Harbor Hawks

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Hyannis' decision to change its name to a locally-grown team name follows the league's legal dispute with the MLB over trademarks.  The Orleans Cardinals became the Orleans Firebirds and the Chatham A's became the Chatham Anglers as a result of the dispute. Bourne remains the Braves, Harwich remains the Mariners and Y-D remains the Red Sox.

CodBall has reported on the dispute from time to time.

8 Comments

  1. Former Fan
    Mar 22, 2010

    The league is starting to look like it’s for the birds. First we got Orleans “Firebirds,” and now the Hyannis “Harbor Hawks?” What in the world is a “Harbor Hawk” anyway? I checked my Shipleys Field Guide and found no such species. Lousy name. Here’s hoping Harwich, Y-D, and Bourne do better than Orleans and Hyannis. Orleans couldn’t have selected “Ospreys?” What, inherent fear of alliteration? I guess we know why so many teams chose existing names in the first place; lack of talented creativity.

  2. Andrew
    Mar 22, 2010

    Well, Hyannis is more associated with the sea-loving Osprey, so that’s what they were going for (though I don’t think they’ve had a nest nearby since the took down their last set of light poles).

    Personally, I don’t really care for the logo, but I’m fine with the name. Logos can always change.

  3. Greg
    Mar 22, 2010

    Former fan you beat me to the punch. I was going to make the same observation.

    The Braves need a bird feather to complete their logo so that only counts for half.

  4. James Stewart
    Mar 23, 2010

    Ospreys was apparently not an option because there is a minor league team already using the nickname, and the MLB copyright extends down to minor league teams because they are affiliated.

    I was talking with a guy associated with Hyannis last year and that was what he said.

    Can’t argue with Firebirds for Orleans, thoush, since they had been he Cardinals…

    Jim

  5. Mike
    Mar 23, 2010

    It’s tough to see the teams that we know change their names because we’ve been used to one thing for so long, but I like this move. Part of the charm and appeal of the CCBL is that things are local and not as commercial as the rest of sports are for the most part. I think teams taking names and making them unique gives the league something different and something special. Rooting for a team that is unique and with a name that has a special meaning because of the location is something to be embraced.

  6. Patrick Hogan
    Mar 23, 2010

    I’m glad that Hyannis didn’t cave to MLB, but I agree with the prevailing sentiment What to heck is a Harbor Hawk. Chatham Anglers sounds good, Orleans Firebirds so so. But Harbor Hawk. My first impression was, is there even such an animal. Bottom line though it is sad that MLB had to try and squeeze a few extra bucks out of the CCBL. Let’s hope they all tell MLB to get lost. But hopefully the remaining teams will show a bit more creativity. Maybe Bourne Navigators or Y-D Sentinels , or the Harwich Skippers,

  7. Mike L
    Mar 23, 2010

    It’ll be weird not saying Hyannis Mets anymore, I’m still not used to saying Firebirds instead of Cardinals…Chatham stayed the A’s, so that was easier…

    I like Harbor Hawk name, its creative, and fits (though the logo could have been much, much better).

    All things considered, I’m not happy with the MLB’s ploy on the CCBL to gain some extra revenue. I love the CCBL because it is everything that is right and good about baseball, and not overly commercialized. Hopefully the remaining three can keep their monikers. Especially Harwich. They’ve been the Mariners FAR longer than the MLB has had a Mariners team.

  8. jim-ed
    Mar 27, 2010

    Greg,

    The Bourne logo already has feathers on its “B”.

    Not liking Harbor Hawks too much. The logo is still better than Orleans though.

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