By Brett Larsen
Officials from Provo”s new professional baseball team announced Friday that the team will be called the Provo Angels.
In December more than 1,000 different forms were entered into the club”s “Name The Team Contest,” which made choosing the right name difficult.
“Practically every day we had a different favorite name,” team co-owner Rob Owens said.
Owens said the team chose the name “Angels” not only because the club is affiliated with the major league Anaheim Angels, but also because the name fit the community.
“Something about the name ”Angels” just seemed to feel right,” he said. “Everyone we talked to about it felt comfortable with it.”
Among the other top possibilities under consideration were the names “Pioneers,” “Patriots” and “Mountaineers.”
Because there are other teams with those names, difficulties with trademarks made it impossible to choose them, said Angels General Manager Gerry McKearney.
The name of each person who submitted the name “Angels” during the contest will be entered into a drawing on opening night.
The Grand Prize winner will get a trip for four to Anaheim, California, including tickets to Disneyland and an Anaheim Angels game.
The names of people who submitted other entries will be entered into a random drawing for more prizes, including Provo Angels” tickets and merchandise.
Opening night is scheduled for Saturday, June 16, when the Angels will tangle with in-state rival Ogden Raptors.
Owens said that the team relocated to Provo from Helena, Montana, to provide family oriented, wholesome entertainment and to fulfill a request by the city for a minor league team.
“I firmly believe that this will be a mutually beneficial thing,” he said.
