Professional baseball is returning to east Mississippi.
The Mid-America League announced its newest franchise — the Meridian Blues. According to officials, the team’s name was selected from over 600 submissions over the past two months and was chosen to honor the host city’s musical and cultural heritage. Before the announcement of the developmental league’s plans to set up shop in Meridian, the most recent pro team to play in the city was the independent Meridian Brakemen from 1996-97.
As the birthplace of Jimmie Rodger, or “The Father of Country Music” and “America’s Blue Yodeler,” along with being a stop along the blues and roots music corridor, Meridian’s artistic legacy made “Blues” an ideal fit as a team name.
“Meridian has a story to tell, and our goal was to create a brand that feels authentic, energetic, and uniquely tied to this community,” Mid-America League founder Mark Schuster said. “The Meridian Blues represent not only the city’s musical heritage but also the rhythm, heartbeat, and passion that this team will bring to the diamond.”
The club’s primary logo features a red fox, largely, per officials, because it embodies both local pride and the spirit of the organization. As the official state mammal of Mississippi, the red fox gives the Blues a symbol that is authentic to the Magnolia State and recognizable.
The Meridian Blues will play their home games at Skaggs Field on the campus of Meridian Community College, which is undergoing enhancements ahead of the club’s debut in the 2026 summer. In the meantime, fan support is needed to help the franchise name its mascot, and the public can weigh in here.
Launched in 2024, the Mid America League features top collegiate players alongside post-college players pursuing professional baseball careers. These athletes include players who were undrafted, unsigned free agents, or former professionals working to return to affiliated baseball. The league compensates its players through a name, image, and likeness program.
