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Gastonia Ghost Peppers

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Gastonia Ghost Peppers
Team logo Cap insignia
Information
LeagueAtlantic League of Professional Baseball (South Division)
LocationGastonia, North Carolina
BallparkCaroMont Health Park
Founded2024
ColorsRed, black, green, gold, white
         
OwnershipZawyer Sports and Entertainment[1]
ManagerMauro Gozzo[2]
General ManagerBrady Salisbury[2]
Websiteghostpeppersbaseball.com

The Gastonia Ghost Peppers are a professional baseball team based in Gastonia, North Carolina, which began play in 2024. They compete in the South Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, a "partner league" of Major League Baseball.[3][4] The Ghost Peppers play their home games at CaroMont Health Park, which opened in 2021. The team was known as the Gastonia Baseball Club in 2024 before becoming the Ghost Peppers in 2025.

History

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In November 2023, the Atlantic League terminated the membership of the Gastonia Honey Hunters, citing significant unpaid debts to the league, and announced the intent to field another team in Gastonia, North Carolina, in 2024.[5][6] In February 2024, new owners of a yet-to-be-named Atlantic League team to play at CaroMont Health Park were announced.[1] The city and Zawyer Sports and Entertainment signed a 15-year stadium lease agreement.[7] The new team hired the general manager and manager of the Honey Hunters,[2][7] as well as other coaches.[7]

The Gastonia Baseball Club played their first game on April 25, 2024, a 3–2 loss to the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.[8] Their first win came the next day against the same opponent, 7–3, allowing no hits until the eighth inning.[9]

Name

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The Gastonia Baseball Club retained that name for the 2024 season while testing seven other possible permanent names on specific "What If?" dates.[6][10][11] The other names were Gastronauts, Bolognia, Galactic Dinos, Ghost Peppers, Zombees, Garden Gnomes, and Yarniaks.[11][12][13] In August 2024, the team asked fans to vote for one of the names by the end of the month.[11][12][13] The "What If?" promotion was recognized with the Atlantic League's "Promotion of the Year" award.[14] On October 16, the team revealed its official name as the Gastonia Ghost Peppers.[15]

Roster

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Gastonia Ghost Peppers roster
Active roster Coaches/Other

Pitchers



  

Catchers

  • 28 Hidekel Gonzalez
  •  4 Dave Martinez

Infielders

Outfielders

  •  7 Eric De La Rosa
  • 12 Pedro Gonzalez
  • 30 Dean Miller
  •  9 Zach Racusin
  •  6 Chad Smith
  • 16 Josh Stowers
  • 17 Kevin Watson Jr.
  

Manager

Coaches


Disabled list
‡ Inactive list
§ Suspended list

Roster updated July 6, 2024
 Transactions


References

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  1. ^ a b Calkins, Mary (February 7, 2024). "Gastonia leaders reveal new pro baseball team amid Honey Hunters legal battle". WBTV. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Hughes, Joe L. II (April 24, 2024). "Here's what to know as the Gastonia Baseball Club begins the 2024 ALPB season". The Gaston Gazette. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  3. ^ Reichard, Kevin (September 23, 2020). "Indy Atlantic League designated MLB Partner League". Ballpark Digest. August Publishing. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  4. ^ Reichard, Kevin (September 24, 2020). "American Association, Frontier League now MLB Partner Leagues". Ballpark Digest. August Publishing. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  5. ^ Fohner, Kara (November 22, 2023). "More trouble for Gastonia's Honey Hunters". The Gaston Gazette. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Fohner, Kara (April 18, 2024). "Are you ready for some baseball? Gastonia team owners talk about a fresh start". The Gaston Gazette. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Ellis, Kevin (February 8, 2024). "Gastonia gets a new baseball team and a promise to pay old debts". Business North Carolina. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  8. ^ "Gastonia Drops Season Opener 3-2". Gastonia Baseball Club. April 26, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  9. ^ "Secures First Win as Gastonia Baseball Club". Gastonia Baseball Club. April 27, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  10. ^ Ablon, Matthew; Richards, Destiny; Harris, Myles (April 23, 2024). "Gastonia's new baseball team has a temporary name for this season. What about in 2025?". WCNC-TV. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  11. ^ a b c Krieger, Dan (August 26, 2024). "Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report". OurSports Central. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Brierton, James (August 20, 2024). "The time has arrived: Now is the time to vote on a new Gastonia Baseball Club name". WCNC-TV. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Vote: Fans given opportunity to permanently name Gastonia Baseball Club". WBTV. August 21, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  14. ^ Woodhouse, Arri (September 30, 2024). "Gastonia Baseball Club awarded 2024 'Promotion of the Year'". Queen City News. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  15. ^ Johncox, Cassidy; Lomis, Connor (October 16, 2024). "Gastonia Baseball Club announces new team name: See it here". WBTV. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
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