SPRINGFIELD — Route 66 Stadium will feature a new team name next spring. The franchise is retiring the Springfield Cardinals name, announcing its rebrand on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
The Cardinals will now be named the Ozarks Springbirds.
The Cardinals name donned the team’s jerseys since 2005. It was a nod to Springfield’s former team called the Cardinals from 1931-46.
General Manager Dan Reiter told the News-Leader that the teamtrademarks was one reason for the rebrand. The franchise was part of Diamond Baseball Holdings and to avoid trademark rules with the St. Louis Cardinals, a rebrand was needed.
“It’s legal
and trademarks,” Reiter said on Aug. 26. “In the world that we live in, it’s become increasingly more and more difficult to be able to provide some quality items that we want for our fans. It’s been the reality that we’ve had to deal with.”
The Cardinals finished as runners-up to Amarillo in the Texas League championship series two weeks ago. The team will return to downtown Springfield in early April for the new season.
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Missouri State athletics for The Springfield News-Leader. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: The Springfield Cardinals unveil new name. Here’s what they’ll be called
