Binghamton Mets To Get Franchise Overhaul

After months of speculation, new ownership found a way to keep the Binghamton Mets playing their home games at NYSEG Stadium for the foreseeable future.

Their location, however, is about the only thing that’s staying the same.

The club on Thursday announced a complete franchise overhaul, from the team name on down, to begin in the 2017 season.

“Since 1992, the Binghamton Mets and New York Mets have been proud affiliates; one of the longest affiliations in the Eastern League,” new team owner John Hughes said in a press release.

“We’re thrilled to be keeping Double-A, New York Mets baseball here in the community, but with a new name that everyone in Binghamton can call its own. The new name will bring in a new era that proudly represents a crown jewel of the community.”

NYSEG Stadium opened in 1992 and has housed the B-Mets for the entirety of its existence.

To find a new name, the B-Mets will hold a Name The Team contest on its website, beginning on April 7, which is also the team’s opening day. The top six user-submitted will be unveiled on April 25, and the fans will vote on the finalists for the next two weeks.

The name will be revealed in October.

With the name change, Binghamton joins several Eastern League teams of recent vintage. The Akron Aeros became the RubberDucks for the 2014 season, the Reading Phillies became the Fightin’ Phils after 2012 and the Connecticut Defenders moved to Richmond and became the Flying Squirrels starting in 2010.

The New Britain Rock Cats moved to Hartford this offseason and will debut this year as the Yard Goats.

The team also announced several other changes, including a new team store, which is open now. Professional Sports Catering has been hired to oversee the stadium’s concessions.

NYSEG Stadium’s playing surface has been replaced for the 2016 season, and plans are in the works to re-do the stadium lighting and batting cage in time for 2017.

“Support from the entire community has been incredibly humbling. I have met nothing but fantastically talented people. I am honored to have been graciously accepted into the community,” Hughes said. “I look forward to seeing friends, family, and co-workers at games in NYSEG Stadium for a fantastic, affordable visit throughout the season.”