(New Buffalo, MI) - Quillbacks is the nickname for a team of potential major league baseball prospects to play in New Buffalo starting next summer.
The Dune Coast Quillbacks will play about 40 home games at the new high school baseball field that recently had lights installed and, soon, grandstand seating.
The nickname and logo of the team were unveiled Thursday night under the lights after about two dozen children took part in on the field activities like hitting.
“It’s going to be awesome out here. Very nice for New Buffalo,” said Sarah Nelson of La Porte.
She came with her two travel ball-playing sons, ages 10 and 11.
The Quillbacks are the 27th team now in the Northwoods League, which has had over 400 players make it to the major leagues since established in the early 90’s.
Co-Owner Brian Williams of New Buffalo said Quillbacks represent the porcupine, which once flourished in the area but are more common now further north. He said native Americans in the area once hunted porcupines and used their bristles for things like managing various hair styles.
“We feel the uniqueness of this, the brand and the logo stood out as we further developed each concept,” he said.
Grandstand seating with about 500 chairs like the ones used in minor and major league stadiums will be added in the fall along with bleachers.
The team is hoping to draw fans from as far north as St. Joseph and Benton Harbor and to the south and west in cities like La Porte, Michigan City, Chesterton and Valparaiso.
