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RICHMOND
Richmond has a new nickname to go with its new minor league baseball team.
Team officials announced Thursday that the team will be called the Flying Squirrels.
About 5,000 people voted online for the team's new name. The other finalists were Flatheads, Rock Hoppers, Rhinos and Hush Puppies.
Team management picked the finalists from about 6,000 submissions.
Another finalist, the Hambones, was removed from contention Monday after the local NAACP chapter called it offensive because "hambone" is the name of a dance brought to America by slaves and later performed at minstrel shows.
The Richmond team is formerly the Connecticut Defenders of the Eastern League and is affiliated with the San Francisco Giants.
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The Flying Squirrels
And the owner's name is Rocky?
Richmond Artillery
Richmond Artillery
Someone mentioned this name and I liked it better than the rest,
especially Flying Squirrels.
Come on is Flying Squirrels the best you can do?
Amazing . . .
None of the names really fit Richmond. It is sad when it comes down to such unfitting names because some people would be offended.
At one time I knew of people who were proud they could do a good hambone dance - and they were impressive as all get out too. But that name doesn't fit Richmond either. Richmond may have a team, but they don't have a name that fits the community.
If those were the best names, the rest must have been pretty bad
Given the choices, I hope it ends up being the Rock Hoppers. I used to live in R,VA. I don't know if it's still allowed...but we used to hop/wade from rock to rock to get to the best sunning spots on hot, summer days. I went to the last Richmond Braves home game and waxed nostalgic - although I can't blame them for leaving The Diamond. We're so lucky to have such a beautiful facility in Harbor Park.
OK, so Hambones is out......thanks, NAACP.
They can't use "flatheads"...the Italians will complain, because: "The Flathead Gang, is a criminal organization currently operating in four cities: New York City, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Detroit presumably as part of the Genovese crime family."
"Flying Squirrels" and "Hush Puppies" sound effeminate, so they're out.
If you look up "Rhino" in the urban dictionary(http://www.urbandictionary.com), you will immediately cross that name off the list, unless you want the team to be the butt of every joke on Letterman for the next ten years.
That leaves "Rock Hoppers", which basically is a small penguin. Of course, "rock" can also denote crack cocaine. Also, think how much fun the kids would have changing one letter on their "Rock Hoppers" tee shirts, to give their mothers, fathers and teachers apoplexy! Good luck, Richmond!
A more fitting name
The Richmond Rebels - that would be a more fitting name.
"Ndlamu"
So, a dance brought over by slaves is offensive? Is it any wonder why so many well-meaning people have just decided to disregard ANYTHING these idiots say? So much for heritage, huh? I bet if "Ndlamu", which is an African "stamping" dance, were used it would be ok. Well, their job is done! They got their names in the paper! Bravo! This reminds me of the pregame activities of the FSU Seminoles. The NCAA fights it, even AFTER the leaders of the Seminole tribe said it was just fine. Well-meaning white people can't stumble over this stuff fast or hard enough.
Hambones!
Sorry, but the Richmond Hambones has a cool name to it. I can hambone rather well - learned how by watching "Hee-Haw." I like the Flatheads also, but it reminds me of a girlfriend from college.
Beginning in the 50's, Ellas Bates was one of
the greatest black rock artists who ever strapped on a guitar, and a star who played before audiences of young and old rock and blues enthusiasts until a few months before he died last year, God Bless him.
No one before him played the guitar with as much soul and passion as he did. His basic signature beat for several of his most famous songs came principally from "hambone", and he influenced hundreds of musicians that performed in the sixties and beyond, many of whom copied his style in some of their work, from Buddy Holly to the Rolling Stones and beyond.
His name was Bo Diddley.
He had no problem talking about the influence of "hambone" in various interviews. And he wasn't a racist. Imagine that. Perhaps Richmond should reconsider the name, and tell the NAACP to grow up and get over it.
Team name "Flat heads"
What or who is a "flathead". Would someone please 'splain. This must be offensive to some group of persons. Were the Aztecs given that name ?? For sure it is offensive .