Traverse City Beach Bums

Independent baseball team
name = Traverse City Beach Bums
founded = 1995
city = Blair Township, Michigan

cap
current league = Frontier League
current division= Central
past league =
uniform =
currentname = Traverse City Beach Bums (2006-present)
* Richmond Roosters (1995-2005)
nicknames = The Bums
past league =
colors = Navy Blue, Gold, White
ballpark = Wuerfel Park
leaguechamps = 2 (2001, 2002)
divisionchamps = 1 (1996)
owner = John & Leslye Wuerfel
manager = Jon Cahill
gm = Jeff Isom
media = Traverse City Record-Eagle
website = http://www.traversecitybeachbums.com traversecitybeachbums.com

The Traverse City Beach Bums are a professional baseball team based in the Traverse City, Michigan suburb of Blair Township, in the United States. The Beach Bums are a member of the Central Division of the Frontier League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From the 2006 season to the present, the Beach Bums have played their home games at Wuerfel Park.

The "Beach Bums" name refers to the visitors who come to Michigan's most popular resort, to spend time on the beach. Traverse City lies on the Grand Traverse Bay, a branch of Lake Michigan. The team's colors of navy blue and gold represent the region's bays and bright summer sunshine. [ [http://www.ballparkdigest.com/news/2005archives/may21_may27_2005.htm Beach Bums unveil logo] ]

John and Leslye Wuerfel, who own and operate Wuerfel Resorts, are the owners of the Beach Bums. Their son, Jason, is the Beach Bums' Vice President and Director of Baseball Operations. Jason Wuerfel lettered four times with the University of Michigan varsity baseball team, and also won the 2003 Wolverine Award for Spirit and Leadership. He played professionally with the Elmira Pioneers, the Mid-Missouri Mavericks, and the Ohio Valley Redcoats. Jason also owns and operates the Beach Bums Baseball Academy, an organization that instructs young baseball players in the Traverse City area. [ [http://www.traversecitybeachbums.com/about/staff/ Beach Bums staff] ]

History

The Beach Bums are Traverse City's first professional baseball team since 1915. Predecessors include the semi-professional Traverse City Hustlers of the 1890s, and the professional Traverse City Resorters, from 1910 to 1915. [ [http://www.record-eagle.com/2006/may/22resorters.htm Hustlers, Resorters, and Beach Bums] ]

Following the 2004 season, the Frontier League granted a franchise for Traverse City, Michigan. However, the league was not sure whether to consider the team for expansion or relocation. In 2005, the Richmond Roosters were purchased by John and Leslye Wuerfel with the intent of being moved to Traverse City.

The Beach Bums played their first home game at Wuerfel Park on May 24, 2006 against the Kalamazoo Kings, with a sell-out crowd of 5,825.

eason-by-season records

Quick facts

:Founded: 1995:Stadium: Wuerfel Park:Uniform Colors: Navy blue hats and white jerseys are worn for home games, while navy blue hats and grey jerseys are worn for road games. The alternate jersey is navy blue with the "TC" centered on the left-side chest, in gold.:Logo Design: A gold ring outline in navy blue with "Traverse City" arched inside. The "Beach Bums" wordmark overlaps the bottom of the ring in navy blue and gold, with a baseball splashing in stylized, navy blue waves underlining it. A baseball-playing bear is centered in the design wearing a Beach Bums jersey and cap.:Mascot: Two American black bears named "Suntan and Sunburn", wearing Beach Bums caps and matching jerseys.:Current ownership: John & Leslye Wuerfel:Playoff appearances: (0)

References

Official websites

* [http://www.traversecitybeachbums.com/ Traverse City Beach Bums]
* [http://www.frontierleague.com/ Frontier League]

Official websites

* [http://www.oursportscentral.com/sports/?t_id=1538 Beach Bums page at OurSports Central]