| Spire City Ghost Hounds | |
| Former Names: | Frederick ALPB (2023) |
| Cap Logo: | Ghost Hounds cap.png |
| Location: | Frederick, Maryland |
| Ballpark: | Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium |
| Founded: | 2023 |
| League: | Atlantic League of Professional Baseball |
| Division: | South Division |
| Colors: | Teal, light teal, black, metallic copper |
| Mascot: | Freddie the Ghost Hound[1] |
| Owner: | Attain Sports and Entertainment |
| Manager: | Mark Minicozzi |
The Spire City Ghost Hounds are a professional baseball team in Frederick, Maryland, that played in 2023. The franchise competed in the South Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and played home games at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium, sharing the ballpark with the Frederick Keys. Following the 2023 season, the team went on hiatus for the 2024 season.
The team's creation was announced in November 2022.[2] The team held a name-the-team contest in January and February 2023, with the name to be announced in June 2023 from the choices of Bone Shakers, Ghost Hounds, Rail Frogs, Sawbones, and Screaming Alpacas.[3] [4] Until then, the team's hats and jerseys featured question marks in place of a name. The team name was announced as Spire City Ghost Hounds on June 24.[5]
The team lost its inaugural game 10–4 on April 28, 2023, at CaroMont Health Park in Gastonia, North Carolina, to the Gastonia Honey Hunters.[6] Their first home game was a 4–2 loss on May 2, 2023, to the Lexington Counter Clocks.[7] [8] [9]
In September 2023, the team announced they would go on hiatus for the 2024 season, sitting out one season until the Atlantic League expands to 12 teams.[10] [11]
The team is owned by Attain Sports and Entertainment, which also owns the Bowie Baysox and the Frederick Keys. Attain is led by Greg Baroni, CEO and Managing General Partner, and Richard Roberts, President and General Partner. The team's announced front office staff consists of Chuck Domino, Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations, and Mary Nixon, executive director of Baseball Operations. The team's announced coaching staff consists of manager Mark Minicozzi, hitting coach Aharon Eggleston, and pitching coach Elih Villanueva, who also pitches for the team as a player-coach.[12]