City's newest baseball team uncorks its name

Lodi's new baseball franchise has a name, and it will knock your "Sox" off.

After three weeks of competition and more than 200 entries, the Sierra Baseball League announced today that their franchise in Lodi will be called the GrapeSox.

The Lodi GrapeSox, one of six potential teams in the SBL, a start-up college summer baseball league, open play in June 2008.

The name was entered as part of a contest the league ran in Lodi over the past three weeks.

"It's a brilliant name considering Lodi's rich tradition in the wine industry," SBL President Stevie Mac said.

Lodi residents Lloyd Dempsey and Leslie Phillips came up with the name as part of the contest and won limo rides to and from Opening Night at Zupo Field next June.

In addition, they both get to participate in pre-game ceremonies, which includes throwing out the first pitch. As part of the prize package, Dempsey and Phillips will accompany Mac to the Oakland A's-Detroit Tigers game on Sept. 1 at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, and will get to watch the game from a luxury suite.

Contest runner-up Kathy Ginter suggested the name Legends, and won a trip for four to the annual football kickoff party in Reno Sept. 7-9. The prize includes complimentary rooms, a cocktail party, wine tasting and VIP seating during the party on opening day of the NFL season.

In the end, Mac said there were only two potential choices — the Lodi Legends and the GrapeSox.

"Lodi has such a great tradition in both baseball and the wine industry that it was impossible for us to ignore those facts," he said. "Ultimately, the GrapeSox just stood out as the perfect name for this particular community."

Third-place winners were the relentless couple Joseph and Cindi Harris, who submitted over 60 names, including the last 45 entered in the competition. Their efforts won them two A's tickets in a luxury suite to the Sept. 1 contest.

"This couple was unbelievable," Mac said. "We felt like we had to reward them for taking such an interest in what we were doing."

Other names entered included Vintners, Winers, Launchers and Palominos, which is a type of grape and a breed of horse.

Reader Feedback

grapesox wrote on Aug 21, 2007 7:31 AM:

" what a lame name "

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fastball wrote on Aug 19, 2007 9:56 AM:

" Play ball Grapesox. Lodi needs you and we appreciate you running the contest to let the people of Lodi name the team. You're awesome and I am sure our team will be awesome. "

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terminator wrote on Aug 19, 2007 12:09 AM:

" Mr. Drug incduced rage name can take a hike. GrapeSox is a perfect name for Lodi's new baseball team. I guess White Sox; or Red Sox incites memories of coed softball or something, I guarantee you the guy who wrote that last e-mail was someone who entered a name and lost. Just another Lodi hater. "

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Least its not Lodi Methamphetamines wrote on Aug 18, 2007 12:58 PM:

" I agree Lodi GrapeSox sounds cool-for a women's fast-pitch softball team. Lodi Legends sounds like the old downtown bar sponsoring a mens slow pitch softball squad. Vintners is another old softball name from the past. Winers, Launchers and Palominos doesn't evoke major league baseball. My votes would tend towards the Lodi Lasers or Lodi Lynx. My personal favorite? Why, the Lodi Dirtbags, of course! "

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Tamara wrote on Aug 18, 2007 10:01 AM:

" Wine and baseball ???? Beer and baseball ???? Awesome name for a Lodi team. See you at the ball park. "

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Jerry J wrote on Aug 18, 2007 7:29 AM:

" Great name for the team. Can't wait for the first season. Thanks to all of those who decided to bring baseball back to Lodi. "

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