Macon Bacon Explained

Macon Bacon
League:Coastal Plain League
Division:West
Location:Macon, GA
Stadium:Luther Williams Field
Founded:2018
Series:Petitt Cup
Series Champs:1 Appearance
Series2:Division
Colors:Red, Black
Mascot:Kevin Bacon, The Grease, Notorious P.I.G.
Owner:Steve DeLay and Jon Spoelstra
Management:Brandon Raphael (President)
Manager:Kevin Soine
President:Brandon Raphael
Website:https://www.maconbaconbaseball.com/

The Macon Bacon is a Georgia based wood-bat collegiate summer baseball team that began playing in the Coastal Plain League (CPL) in 2018. They have appeared in the league playoffs twice, and finished as the runner-up after a Championship appearance in their second season.

History

In 2017, the Macon-Bibb County Commission announced that a Coastal Plain League franchise would be coming to Macon. It would be owned by sports marketing firm SRO Partners, and would begin play in the 2018 season.[1] On July 6, 2017, SRO Partners and Macon-Bibb County signed a ten-year lease agreement for Luther Williams Field, which is currently set to expire on December 31, 2027.[2]

Later in 2017, a contest was announced to select a name for the team.[3] After receiving over 1,500 submissions, five finalists were selected: Macon Bacon, Macon Soul, Macon Hits, Macon Heat, and Macon Noise.[4] A vote was held, with the name Macon Bacon being announced as the winner.[5]

In November 2023, owner Steve Delay announced on LinkedIn that the team was being put up for sale.[6] [7]

Location

The team is based in Macon, Georgia and plays its home games at Luther Williams Field in Macon.

Prior to the inaugural 2018 season, the team announced plans to complete major renovations and updates to Luther Williams Field, in partnership with Macon-Bibb County. At a cost of approximately $2.5 million, the renovations would be funded by revenue from the 2016 Special-purpose local-option sales tax (SPLOST).[8]

Further changes were made before the 2019 season[9] and before the 2020 season.[10] [11] [12] [13]

Coaching staff

Danny Higginbotham managed the team for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. At the end of the 2019 season, he announced plans to leave the team after being named as an Assistant Coach at Des Moines Area Community College.[14] [15] On September 10, 2019, the team named Jimmy Turk, an assistant coach at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, Arizona as the new manager.[16] On October 2, 2020, the team announced that Kyle MacKinnon had been named the head coach for the 2021 season.[17] On September 21, 2021, the team named former assistant coach Kevin Soine the head coach for the 2022 season.[18]

Attendance

In 2018, the team was named the Coastal Plain League's Organization of the year after selling out 11 out of 23 home games. It finished the 2018 season 2nd in attendance in the Coastal Plain League and 10th overall for the entire summer league, with an estimated home total attendance count of over 47,000.[19]

Yearly records

SeasonManagerRecord
2018Danny Higginbotham22-25
2019Danny Higginbotham29-21
2020Jimmy Turk24-25
2021Kyle MacKinnon15-26
2022Kevin Soine24-24
2023Easton Waterman24-22
Overall Record:138-143

Players in the pros

These former players have been selected in the MLB Draft or have gone on to sign contracts with professional baseball teams:[20] [21] [22] [23]

PlayerSchoolDraftedDrafted/Signed withSeason(s) with Bacon
1.Dylan SpackeGeorgiaRound 21, 647th overall (2019)Boston Red Sox2018
2.Matthew MinnickLong Beach StateRound 23, 705th overall (2019)New York Yankees2018
3.Riley KingMercyhurstRound 26, 787th overall (2019)Atlanta Braves2018
4.Keaton WeiszCoastal CarolinaRound 36, 1081st overall (2019)Los Angeles Angels2018
5.MJ RookardMiddle Georgia State UniversityUndraftedGary RailCats (Independent)2019
6.Zach McCamblyCoastal CarolinaRound 3, 75th overall (2020)Miami Marlins2018
7.Zach CornellMiddle Georgia State UniversityUndraftedWashington Nationals2019
8.Fraser EllardLiberty UniversityRound 8, 245th overall (2021)Chicago White Sox2020
9.Matt LitwickiIndiana UniversityRound 10, 286th overall (2021)Boston Red Sox2020
10.Jack SinclairUniversity of Central FloridaRound 16, 473rd overall (2021)Washington Nationals2020
11.Josh HoodUniversity of PennsylvaniaRound 20, 586th overall (2021)Round 6, 186th overall (2022)Boston Red SoxSeattle Mariners2020
12.Collin PriceMercer UniversityRound 6, 193rd overall (2022)Houston Astros2020
13.John Michael BertrandNotre DameRound 10, 316th overall (2022)San Francisco Giants2018
14.Garrett BrownGeorgiaRound 18, 533rd overall (2022)Chicago White Sox2019
15.Austin EmenerETSURound 16, 472nd overall (2023)Colorado Rockies2022

Post-season appearances

During their first season in 2018, the team advanced to the league playoffs.[24] On August 5, they were eliminated in the first round after a 4–15 loss to the Savannah Bananas.[25]

In the 2019 season, the team advanced to the League Championship, the Petitt Cup, for the first time, where they faced the Morehead City Marlins in a 3-game series for the Petitt Cup, where they finished as the runner up, losing by a margin of 1–2.[26] Game 1 of the series resulted in a 3–0 loss to Morehead City.[27] [28] In game 2, Macon scored an 11–4 victory over Morehead City. Game 3 resulted in a 2–6 loss by Macon to Morehead City.

During the abbreviated 2020 season, the team advanced to the Coastal Plain League Championship, where they defeated the Savannah Bananas with a score of 6–5.[29]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Dunlap. Stanley. Macon-Bibb baseball proposal sails through committee. 2 February 2017. The Macon Telegraph. February 26, 2020. February 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200215020000/https://www.macon.com/news/local/article135503218.html. live.
  2. Web site: Luther Williams Field Lease Agreement. 6 July 2017. February 26, 2020. August 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210808220221/https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/maconbibb/Board.nsf/files/BGTRK46DF251/$file/10-15-2019%20-%20Res%20Committee%20Amendment%20Agreeing%20to%20Accept%20Capital%20Improvement%20Fans%20in%20Lieu%20of%20Rents%20for%20Luther%20Williams%20Field.pdf. live.
  3. News: Macon Bacon? Gwinnett Braves aren't only Georgia team looking for a name. August 9, 2017. Gwinnett Daily Post. February 26, 2020. February 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200206014846/https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/news/state/macon-bacon-gwinnett-braves-aren-t-only-georgia-team-looking/article_f11e3e9d-f994-5a48-b92d-41cddc6a755a.html. live.
  4. Web site: Five team names make the cut for the new Macon baseball franchise. Dunlap. Stanley. August 7, 2017. Macon Telegraph. February 26, 2020. February 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200206021716/https://www.macon.com/news/local/article165808202.html. live.
  5. News: McGlamry. Maggie. Macon Bacon chosen as new baseball team name. September 27, 2017. WGXA News. February 26, 2020. February 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200206021716/https://wgxa.tv/news/local/macon-baseball-team-name-announced. live.
  6. Web site: Steve DeLay on LinkedIn: It's time to set up your sales staff for long-term success to help you... . 2024-01-03 . www.linkedin.com . en.
  7. Web site: 2023-11-14 . 'Let's break the mold again': Macon Bacon owner puts the team up for sale . 2024-01-03 . WMAZ . en-US.
  8. News: Shepard. Katherine. Macon Baseball, county leaders unveil plans to renovate Luther Williams Field. 24 August 2017. WGXA News. February 26, 2020. February 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200214000118/https://wgxa.tv/news/local/macon-baseball-county-leaders-unveil-plans-to-renovate-luther-williams-field. live.
  9. Web site: Macon Bacon adding tiki bar, Kids Zone to Luther Williams Field. 11 December 2018. 13WMAZ Eyewitness News.
  10. Web site: Macon Bacon officials ask county for investment for cooling fans at stadium. Staff. October 8, 2019. WGXA News. February 26, 2020. February 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200206021715/https://wgxa.tv/news/local/macon-bacon-officials-ask-county-for-investment-for-cooling-fans-at-stadium. live.
  11. Web site: Macon Bacon plan for cooling fans at Luther Williams field draws heat from Commissioner Lucas. Fabian. Liz. October 8, 2019. Center for Collaborative Journalism. February 26, 2020. February 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200206021715/http://ccjreports.com/4818/news/macon-bacon-plan-for-cooling-fans-at-luther-williams-field-draws-heat-from-commissioner-lucas/. live.
  12. News: Helm. Claire. Bibb leaders approve Macon Bacon rent money for electric fans at Luther Williams. 15 October 2019. WGXA News. February 26, 2020. February 17, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200217203149/https://wgxa.tv/news/local/bibb-leaders-approve-macon-bacon-rent-money-for-electric-fans-at-luther-williams. live.
  13. Web site: Luther Williams Field Lease Agreement. 6 July 2017. February 26, 2020. August 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210808220221/https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/maconbibb/Board.nsf/files/BGTRK46DF251/$file/10-15-2019%20-%20Res%20Committee%20Amendment%20Agreeing%20to%20Accept%20Capital%20Improvement%20Fans%20in%20Lieu%20of%20Rents%20for%20Luther%20Williams%20Field.pdf. live.
  14. Web site: Danny Higginbotham named DMACC assistant baseball coach. October 9, 2019. Des Moines Area Central Community College. February 26, 2020. February 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200226005627/https://www.dmaccbears.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/releases/20191009plckei. live.
  15. Web site: Macon Bacon head coach leaving team for new position. Garrett. Miles. August 21, 2019. WGXA News. February 26, 2020. February 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200206021711/https://wgxa.tv/sports/macon-bacon/macon-bacon-head-coach-leaving-team-for-new-position. live.
  16. Web site: Macon Bacon announce Jimmy Turk as new manager. September 10, 2019. WGXA News. February 26, 2020. February 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200226013445/https://wgxa.tv/sports/macon-bacon/macon-bacon-announce-jimmy-turk-as-new-manager. live.
  17. News: Hines. Whitney. October 2, 2020. Macon Bacon names Kyle MacKinnon as head coach for 2021 season. WGXA News. October 22, 2020. October 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201026041647/https://wgxa.tv/news/local/macon-bacon-names-kyle-mackinnon-as-head-coach-for-2021-season. live.
  18. Web site: 2021-09-21. Kevin Soine named Macon Bacon head coach. 2021-09-21. Macon Bacon Baseball. en-US. July 6, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220706202814/https://www.maconbaconbaseball.com/kevin-soine-named-macon-bacon-head-coach/. live.
  19. Web site: The Macon Bacon Named 2018 Coastal Plain League Organization of the Year. 23 August 2018. Coastal Plain League.
  20. Web site: Macon native takes unique path to being selected in MLB Draft. Garrett. Miles. June 7, 2019. WGXA News. February 26, 2020. February 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200206021712/https://wgxa.tv/sports/college/macon-native-takes-unique-path-to-the-major-leagues. live.
  21. Web site: These Georgia athletes were selected in MLB Draft. Here's what to know.. Baxley. Justin. June 6, 2019. The Macon Telegraph. February 26, 2020. February 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200206021714/https://www.macon.com/article231215223.html. live.
  22. Web site: Bacon in the Pros. live. Macon Bacon Baseball. June 22, 2023. April 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230402001649/https://www.maconbaconbaseball.com/former-bacon/.
  23. Web site: Coastal Plain League . 2024-01-03 . Coastal Plain League . en-US.
  24. News: Gaskins. Cam. Bacon are playoff bound in inaugural season after Bananas eliminate Red Wolves. August 4, 2018. WGXA News. February 26, 2020. February 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200226015059/https://wgxa.tv/sports/macon-bacon/bacon-are-playoff-bound-in-inaugural-season-after-bananas-eliminate-red-wolves. live.
  25. News: Heath. Donald. Bacon done: Savannah Bananas advance with 15-4 win in first round of CPL playoffs. August 6, 2018. Savannah Morning News. February 26, 2020. February 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200226020602/https://www.savannahnow.com/sports/20180805/bacon-done-savannah-bananas-advance-with-15-4-win-in-first-round-of-cpl-playoffs. live.
  26. Web site: Macon Bacon advance to championship in the Coastal Plain League. Cox. Jeff. August 6, 2019. WGXA News. February 26, 2020. February 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200206021714/https://wgxa.tv/news/local/macon-bacon-advance-to-championship-in-the-coastal-plain-league. live.
  27. News: Cox. Jeff. Macon Bacon fall in Game 1 of Championship Series. 8 August 2019. WGXA News. February 26, 2020. February 12, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200212185850/https://wgxa.tv/news/local/macon-bacon-host-game-1-of-championship-series. live.
  28. Web site: 2019 Petitt Cup Playoffs. Coastal Plain League. February 26, 2020. December 10, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191210152908/https://www.coastalplain.com/events/2019_Petitt_Cup_Playoffs. live.
  29. Web site: Macon Bacon react to first championship in 58 years. 2021-07-30. WMAZ. en-US.

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