In this episode, I welcome Mike Riefsnyder, the driving force behind The Joanna Project, an ambitious community effort to restore a historic 1950s ballpark and bring it back to life. Riefsnyder shares the inspiring story behind the renovation, the challenges of reviving a mid-century stadium, and how this revival will soon become home to the Joanna Hornets summer collegiate baseball team.

We explore the vision for the ballpark’s future, the importance of preserving local baseball history, and the impact this project will have on Joanna, South Carolina.

From infrastructure upgrades to community engagement, Riefsnyder offers a deep look at how a forgotten field is transforming into a premier home for summer collegiate baseball. If you’re passionate about ballpark restoration, small-town baseball culture, or the growth of collegiate summer leagues, this episode is packed with insight.

In this episode, I sit down with Allen Lawrence, General Manager of the Salem RidgeYaks, for an in-depth conversation about one of Minor League Baseball’s most talked-about rebrands. Lawrence explains the story behind the Yaks bold new logo, why the organization felt it was the right time for a change, and how the updated identity reflects the team’s natural surroundings.

We also dive into community reaction, the creative process behind the redesign, and what fans can expect next from the Yaks both on and off the field. Whether you’re a MiLB enthusiast, a branding junkie, or just curious about how teams refresh their image, this interview offers a behind-the-scenes look at rebranding.

In this episode, I talk with Ryan Harrison, General Manager of the Welland Jackfish, to break down one of the biggest shifts in independent baseball: the transformation of the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) into the new Canadian Baseball League (CBL).

Harrison shares what this historic rebrand means for the league’s future, how it impacts teams like the Jackfish, and why the move positions Canadian baseball for long-term growth and national recognition.

We dive into the motivation behind the league-wide name change, the expected benefits for players and fans, potential expansion opportunities, and how the Jackfish plan to thrive in this new era. Whether you follow the Jackfish, the IBL/CBL, or love independent baseball stories, this conversation offers valuable insight into the evolution of Canada’s premier summer league.

My guest this week is Adam Pintar, who designed the new Indianapolis Indians rebrand. Pintar,  the Senior Director of Brand, Marketing, and Communications for the club, explains why he went with the new look and how it adheres to the traditions of baseball in Indianapolis for the past 124 years.

There will be a few new ball clubs in Indiana this summer, and they include the Richmond Flying Mummies, Indianapolis Clowns, and the soon-to-be-named Kokomo franchise in the Prospect League. Plus, the Indianapolis Indians rebranded with a stylish new look. It is all here in this week's episode of the Ballpark Hunter podcast.

My guest this week is Stadium Journey writer Eric Has. We reflect on our recent visit to the Cosmic Baseball Takeover game at Victory Field in Indianapolis. Is the Tri-City Chili Peppers brand of glow-in-the-dark baseball worth seeing when they come to a town near you?

My guest this week is Stadium Journey's Ontario Correspondent Dave Cottonie. He has been to every ballpark in the Intercounty Baseball League and shares his stories along with where the league is heading to as it comes off one it is most successful seasons in 2025.

Author and baseball fan Alan Swigonski is my guest this week and he discusses the grassroots effort to save Ainsworth Field in Erie, Pennsylvania, and restore it back to its former glory. He has been attending games there since he was a kid over 60-years-ago and wants to see a future generations of youngers enjoy the ballpark.

This week's guest is the GM of the Great Falls Voyagers Colin McGuinn. He shares his experience of working in professional sports and how that route took him to Montana. He has introduced tailgate parties at Friday and Saturday games and hopes to unveil more plans in the coming years.

My guest this week is Michael Larson, Executive Vice President & General Manager of the Schaumburg Boomers. He tells us his journey that led to his current position with the ball club and how they do things a little differently.