As the Battle Creek Battle Jacks prepare to enter our fifth season in 2026, we wanted to pause and share something important. This is a moment to reflect on where we have been, what Battle Creek has always meant to the game of baseball, and where we are headed next.

The Battle Jacks will officially carry a new tagline:

This is more than a branding update. It is a statement of pride, identity, and responsibility. It reflects our renewed commitment to Battle Creek, recognition of the city’s deep baseball roots, and a long-term vision that positions our ballpark as the gathering place for baseball fans across all of Southwest Michigan.

“This moment is about clarity,” said Owner and President Scott Miles. “Southwest Michigan is the region we serve. Battle Creek is the home that defines it. Our ballpark stands on some of the most historic baseball grounds in the Midwest. Hall of Famers played here in their early years. Generations of families have come through this park. Past teams wore Southwest Michigan across their chests because Battle Creek had earned that identity.”

A Home Built on History

Baseball in Battle Creek did not begin with the Battle Jacks.

For decades, Bailey Park and historic C.O. Brown Stadium have stood as one of the Midwest’s most important amateur baseball venues. Long before the Battle Jacks took the field, this park hosted professional baseball, championship teams, legendary players at the earliest stages of their careers, and countless summer nights that helped shape Michigan’s baseball culture.

Families traveled from communities across Southwest Michigan to watch the game played here. Players grew up dreaming of stepping onto this field. Teams proudly represented not just a city, but an entire region. Calling Battle Creek the Home of Southwest Michigan Baseball is not a marketing slogan. It is recognition of what has already been true for generations.

“This ballpark is sacred ground,” Miles said. “When you walk into Bailey Park, you feel the history. Our responsibility is to protect that legacy while building something that honors it and carries it forward.”

A Natural Evolution in Year Five

When the Battle Jacks rebranded in 2021, our original tagline, Fans Best Friend, captured exactly who we were at that moment. It reflected warmth, accessibility, and a family-first spirit, and it will continue to serve a meaningful purpose within our organization.

That foundation mattered.

“As a young organization, that identity helped us build trust and connection,” said General Manager Sam Connell. “It reflected who we were at that moment.”

Now, entering our fifth season, the organization has grown. Expectations have grown. And the role the team plays in the community and across the region has grown as well.

“Everything we hope to accomplish in Southwest Michigan starts with the pride and passion of our home here in Battle Creek,” Connell said. “This new tagline reflects the responsibility we carry and the standard we want to set moving forward.”

What ‘Home’ Means Today

Declaring Battle Creek the Home of Southwest Michigan Baseball is not about expanding away from the city. It is about strengthening it.

Under new ownership and front office leadership, we are investing in every aspect of the experience, from ballpark atmosphere to community engagement and long-term baseball development.

Fans will see this commitment reflected through:

Continued investment in Bailey Park and the fan experience
Elevated food and beverage offerings and hospitality
Deeper partnerships with schools and youth programs
A renewed focus on tradition, storytelling, and atmosphere
A growing connection between Battle Creek and surrounding communities

“Our goal is to make every visit feel like coming home,” Connell said. “Whether you’re from Battle Creek or anywhere in Southwest Michigan, this has always been your ballpark.”

Looking Ahead: A Southwest Michigan Alternate Identity

Alongside the new tagline, we are also preparing to introduce a Southwest Michigan alternate identity during the 2026 season.

This alternate identity will celebrate Battle Creek and its role within the broader region, offering fans a new way to express regional pride while remaining rooted in the Battle Jacks’ core brand.

“This is not a replacement for who we are,” Connell said. “Battle Creek will always be our home. This is about honoring the region that has filled these stands, supported this park, and made baseball here what it is.”

Details around the alternate name, branding, and on-field usage will be announced in the coming weeks, with opportunities for fan involvement as part of the process.

Building the Future from a Historic Home

As we look ahead to 2026 and beyond, this new tagline will guide how we show up on the field, in the community, and across Southwest Michigan.

“This is about building something that lasts,” Connell said. “Battle Creek has an incredible baseball story, and we are committed to honoring it while creating a future that Southwest Michigan can be proud to call home.”

Battle Creek is the foundation.
Southwest Michigan is the family.
And MCCU Field at C.O. Brown Stadium is where it all comes together.

Welcome to the Home of Southwest Michigan Baseball.

Start Planning Your Summer

You can start building your summer at MCCU Field right now:

✔ Lock in your 5-Game Battle Pack

✔ Pick your early-season games

✔ Book your group or corporate night

✔ Explore premium seating & hospitality options

Schedule + Tickets: BattleJacksBaseball.com

Visit us: 189 Bridge Street, Battle Creek
Call: (269) 962-0735
Email: tickets@battlejacksbaseball.com