A large crowd turned out for a three hour party last Saturday night with the new Salem Carolina League baseball team name the featured event. After an hour and a half of music, food and fun the name was revealed, and from this time forth the former Red Sox will be known as the “Salem RidgeYaks.”
The event was free to the community and was hosted by Melissa Gaona of WDBJ-7 TV and radio personality Brett Sharp of 94.9 Star Country. Also on hand to model the new uniform tops were Zack Kelly of the Boston Red Sox, who is a Lord Botetourt High School grad-uate, and former Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster.
The rebrand marks the begin-ning of a new era of baseball in Salem, while honoring the team’s history. Salem will remain the Single-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox but the new name, look and mascot celebrate the region’s outdoor adventure, community pride and connection to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The design, colors, fonts, and symbols were created to embody Salem’s heritage and heart. The yak personifies the strength, resilience and hardworking spirit found both in the players and throughout the agricultural roots of Southwest Virginia. The moun-tain ranges and pine trees in the yak’s hairline represent the Blue Ridge Mountains and landscapes that make up the backdrop of Salem Memorial Ballpark. The kayak, also known as a “yak,” pays tribute to the popularity of outdoor recreation and the water-ways throughout the region.
“This is a great moment for baseball in Salem,” said Salem RidgeYaks General Manager Allen Lawrence. “The RidgeYaks are a creative and symbolic reflection of our community. That’s what Minor League Baseball is all about — it’s fun, it’s unique, and it brings people together.”
Each color in the new identity was thoughtfully chosen to ensure it carries meaningful and symbolic ties to the team. The navy and energy blues represent the beauty of the Blue Ridge, while the gold is a tribute to the beautiful sunsets, drawing inspiration from the gold accents in the City of Salem Seal. The iconic red is inspired by the Boston Red Sox, embodying the energy and spirit of baseball.
The font is inspired by the Appalachian Trail blazes and local outfitter signage, blending adven-ture with authenticity. Additional brand elements include the famous Roanoke Star and Virginia state logo with oar.
“We’re proud of our continued partnership with Salem and grate-ful for the important role the team plays in developing future Red Sox players,” said Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy. “This rebrand is an exciting new chapter that cel-ebrates the passion and pride of the Salem community while continuing the strong connection between our organizations. We look forward to many more seasons of great base-ball and shared success between Salem and Boston.”
The Salem RidgeYaks are also excited to introduce their new mas-cot: Mac, a yak with an adventur-ous and friendly personality, full of mountain spirit. Inspired by McAfee Knob, one of the region’s most iconic landmarks, Mac is ready to be a fan-favorite ambassador of the Salem RidgeYaks, replacing former mascot Mugsy.
The RidgeYaks brand was devel-oped through extensive fan feed-back, stakeholder input and indus-try research. The rebrand, created in partnership with Learfield Creative, reflects a true community effort. Working closely with Salem staff, Learfield Creative crafted a brand inspired by local ideas and designed to embody regional pride. Common themes that emerged from fan feed-back included the natural beauty of the area, outdoor recreation, and the region’s agricultural heritage.
Salem will debut the new brand on Opening Day 2026, set for April 2nd, as the Salem RidgeYaks host the Delmarva Shorebirds at Carilion Clinic Field. Season ticket packages and newly branded merchandise are available now. Visit RidgeYaks. com for more information.
