advertisement

Rosemont's Chicago-style baseball team named 'Chicago Dogs'

The owners of the new independent league baseball team coming to Rosemont next year revealed the team name Friday in honor of a Chicago-style classic.

It wasn't deep dish pizza or beef sandwiches on the mind of the owners or their creative team, but instead a staple of ballpark food that in this town, is made with all the fixings: the hot dog.

The Chicago Dogs will begin play in May 2018 in a new $60 million, 6,300-seat stadium under construction at Balmoral Avenue and Pearl Street, just west of the Tri-State Tollway. They've been approved to be a part of the 12-team American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, a Durham, North Carolina-based league.

Plans for the team were announced by Rosemont officials in 2015. However, as stadium construction moves along and the front office is assembled, Friday's naming announcement is meant to "stir up a little interest," said co-owner Steven Gluckstern.

Added co-owner Shawn Hunter: "We wanted a name that captures the spirit and culture of Chicago. It had to be fun and authentic."

The circular red, white and blue team logo features a hot dog - dressed with the four stars of the Chicago city flag as condiments - overlaying a baseball. The logo was inspired by "baseball, hot dog and Chicago lovers alike," according to a team news release. It was designed by Denver-based Adrenalin Inc., a brand agency whose clients in the sports industry include the Los Angeles Kings, Harlem Globetrotters and United States Olympic Committee.

After an early Friday morning announcement of the team name, some 100 hot dog costume-wearing revelers descended upon downtown Chicago to promote the new brand, traveling by double-decker bus and surprising people with free hot dogs and Chicago Dogs prizes. The marketing promotion also included games, activities and giveaways at the iconic Chicago hot dog stand Wiener Circle, where the marquee and signage were transformed to feature the Chicago Dogs team logo. Patrons were invited to play whiffle ball, take selfies on a hot dog couch, and sign a pledge of fandom to the Chicago Dogs.

And, there was a special "Hot Dog Happy Hour" featuring $1 hot dogs in the late afternoon.

The team Friday also revealed a website, thechicagodogs.com, and presence on social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

Rosemont to build minor league baseball stadium

Construction to begin on Rosemont minor league park

Rosemont adds to crowded suburban sports lineup

Owners: Few things minor about Rosemont franchise

Rosemont's new independent league baseball team will be named the Chicago Dogs.
  Construction continues at the site of a planned $60 million, 6,300-seat independent league baseball team stadium in Rosemont. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
Hot dog-wearing revelers on Friday celebrate the announcement of Rosemont's independent league baseball team name, Chicago Dogs, outside the Wiener Circle in Chicago. Courtesy of Carol Fox & Associates
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.