Joy R. Absalon-Imagn Images
While minor league baseball has long been wise enough to lean into absurdity, that trend as undoubtedly spiked in recent years, as evidenced by the never-ending stream of alternate, usually themed-jerseys, $1 beer nights, the Savannah Bananas, bark-at-the-park nights, and so on. The Baltimore Orioles Double-A affiliate, the Chesapeake Baysox, may have accidentally taken the the bit too far, however.
Over the weekend, the Baltimore Orioles Double-A affiliate Chesapeake Baysox announced that they will become the Chesapeake Oyster Catchers for a handful of home games this season, with “alternate identities” — in which the team changes it name, logo, color scheme — becoming increasingly popular in recent years.
Announced on Friday, March 21, official Chesapeake Baysox merch is already available on the official team store. Just last year, the Chesapeake Baysox officially changed their name to what it is now, having previously been the Bowie Baysox since the franchise’s inception in 1993.
“The Chesapeake Baysox, Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, are proud to introduce a new alternate identity for the 2025 season. For select home games, the Chesapeake Baysox will take the field as the Chesapeake Oyster Catchers as a tribute to the Chesapeake Bay’s rich heritage and thriving ecosystem,” the organization said in a statement.
“Inspired by the American oystercatcher, the prominent patterned shorebird can be found along the Chesapeake Bay year-round. With its bold black-and-white plumage, orange beak, and knack for hunting shellfish, the oystercatcher is a symbol of strength and ingenuity—qualities that define both the Chesapeake region and its passionate baseball fans.”
While the Chesapeake Baysox claim to have legitimate artistic inspiration for the new alternate identity logo, baseball fans on social media haven’t been able to take their eyes off one aspect of the design, and that’s that it looks like the main female reproductive organ.
Oh come on https://t.co/KhNIDGaMK7
— Patches O’Houlihan (@sondraa) March 21, 2025
How many beers https://t.co/85GMj4BUvo
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) March 21, 2025
“I’ve only been with 3 guys” https://t.co/92ikIuJbmX
— Barry (@BarryOnHere) March 22, 2025
Heading into Opening Day of the 2025 MLB season this week, the bookies are projecting that the Orioles finish second in the American League East behind the Baltimore Orioles. Baltimore will begin their 2025 campaign with a four-game series in Toronto against their AL East rival Blue Jays.