Stratford Minor Baseball is proud to announce the rebranding of its team name and logo.
S.M.B.A. recognizes that the use of indigenous persons as mascots, although not being intentional, is harmful and improper. We strive to encourage good sportsmanship, team play and good citizenship amongst our participants. We therefore, as good citizens, are closing this chapter and are embarking on a progressive exciting tip of the hat to our local history.
We are very pleased to announce, starting this season, a return to our 1920's Stratford roots. We are rebranding as the Stratford Nationals.
The Stratford Nationals are a direct link to the City's Railway past, having been formed by our local Canadian National Railway Association in 1920. The Stratford Nationals were a unique and very successful franchise playing for forty plus years.
The Nationals name also represents and solidifies our commitment to our baseball centre piece National Stadium which was purchased, named, and built by local railway shop employees in 1934.
With this change comes great costs. We hope to share and minimize the extra cost to players and families by fundraising in the community. We have set up a "go-Fund-Me" page (
www.gofundme.com/stratfordminorbaseball) to help collect donations for new uniforms, equipment, and ball-park signage. Our goal is to raise $15,000. This will enable us to keep the increase in registration cost at a minimum, yet still be able to completely change over to our new look in the Spring of 2017.
Thank you to everyone who have helped and encouraged us along the way. Please join us in celebrating this new era of Baseball in Stratford, Ontario.