Somerset Patriots paying homage to iconic Jersey diners with uniform rebranding
For three games this season, the Somerset Patriots will pay homage to one of the sacred spots of their home state.
On June 8, July 26 and Aug. 11, the New York Yankees Double-A affiliate will take the field at the TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater as the Jersey Diners. Next year the Patriots will assume the alternate identity for more games, Hal Hansen, the team's senior director of sales and marketing, said at a breakfast Tuesday for season ticket holders at Park 22 Diner in Green Brook.
"We're still the Somerset Patriots," he said.
Teams assuming alternate identities have been a growing trend in Minor League Baseball.
"Alternate identities are one of the great things about Minor League Baseball. It gives us the opportunity to have fun and be creative while celebrating our community," said Patriots Co-Chairman Jonathan Kalafer. "Diners are a special part of New Jersey culture and resonate with the Somerset Patriots on a lot of levels. They too are family businesses that are often a setting for family and friends to spend time together. They also tend to build their business on customer service and value."
Other Minor League teams in the Eastern League have also adopted alternate identities, Hansen said. For example, the Portland Sea Dogs are also known as the Maine Clambakes, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies are the Shortcakes, and the Akron RubberDucks are the Sauerkraut Balls.
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The switch to the Jersey Diners, co-sponsored by a producer of a unique New Jersey diner specialty, Taylor Pork Roll, will feature merchandise and other diner specialties, like disco fries and Happy Waitress platters, in the concessions at TD Bank Ballpark, Hansen said, adding more details will be coming.
The Jersey Diners jersey is neon blue with the main logo across the chest with pink piping. The numbers on the back are pink with a white outline. The sleeves have pink and white checkers as well as logos featuring a drawing of a vintage diner boxcar on one side and a Patriots secondary head logo on the other with the Diners’ color scheme.
The Jersey Diners will wear a tri-color hat – blue, pink and white – with a coffee mug mascot on the front.
The logos were created by Ryan Foose of Fooser Sports Designs with a classic diner feel. The main logo incorporates the exterior of an old-fashioned diner with “Jersey Diners” in pink script.
With opening day just more than 70 days away, Hansen said the team is "super, super excited" by the introduction of the alternate identity which took 18 months to develop.
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Minor league ballparks have the "same vibe" as diners, Hansen said, because they are "a comfortable place to go" where you feel at home if you're at the ballpark or at one of New Jersey's 500 diners.
“We are excited to rebrand as the Jersey Diners for a few games this season,” said Patriots President and General Manager Patrick McVerry. “Diners are such a special part of the DNA of New Jersey. When we decided to move forward with our first full rebrand, it made a lot of sense to do something that resonates with so many people throughout our state. Playing as the Jersey Diners is a true representation of this area and an identity we feel everyone will want to get behind.”
In a letter, Gov. Phil Murphy congratulated the Patriots on making the move.
“New Jersey prides itself on being known as the Diner Capital of the World," Murphy wrote. "As Governor, I commend the Somerset Patriots for recognizing the importance of diners in the Garden State, and I thank all who continue to support these local family-owned businesses.”
Jersey Diners merchandise is already available online at the Patriots store.
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com
Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
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This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Somerset Patriots rebranding as Jersey Diners for three games in 2024
