What Do You Get The Obscure Sports Dude for Christmas?

So what Christmas gift do you get for someone who writes a blog about obscure sports?

You get them some obscure sports merch. That’s what my wife did along with some assistance from my son-in-law.

Here are the latest teams that I was gifted merch from:

Savannah Bananas
The Bananas are an independent entertainment baseball team based out of Savannah, Georgia. They are much like baseball's version of the Harlem Globetrotters. They tour throughout the United States playing in front of sellout crowds in minor league and major league stadiums. The team began as a collegiate summer league team in the Coastal Plains League. They played their first season in 2016 and won three league titles until they transitioned to an entertainment team following the 2022 season.  I have wanted to watch them on their stops in Nashville but their games have been sold out quickly.


Abilene Flying Bisons
The Flying Bisons are a second year team in the Mid America League in Abilene, Texas. They finished their first season in the collegiate summer league finishing in first place with a 47-23 record. Unfortunately, they fell short of the title to the Joplin Outlaws.  This is another attempt for this West Texas city.  Abilene had a previous team call the Prairie Dogs from 1995-1999 and another season in 2012.  Incidentally, Abilene is my birthplace and where I lived for the first three years of my life.  I returned there in 1982 when I was stationed at Dyess Air Force Base.    


Hub City Spartanburgers
This one was a new one to me. They are a minor league team from Spartanburg. South Carolina. They play in the South Atlantic League. Class A farm team for the Texas Rangers.  The team will be playing their first season in 2025.  The franchise was the former Down East Wood Ducks from Kinston, North Carolina which played in the Carolina League.  The name "hub city" comes from Spartanburg's history in the rail industry in the late 1800s when seven lines ran through the city.  Yes, the logo features an animated hamburger in its' logo.  Spartanburg's last team was known as the Phillies in 1995.  

Yep, I like getting obscure sports merch.  I have had many over the years.  Shirt from the Wichita Wings (Major Indoor Soccer League), jersey from the Memphis Maniax (original XFL), Macon Knights jersey (Arena Football 2) and Macon Whoopee jersey (Central Hockey League) to name some of my favorites.

Unfortunately the T-Shirts fade away and other merch gets traded or sold depending on what is out there.  My current collection includes:  Savannah Sand Gnats, Atlanta Thrashers, El Paso Chihuahuas, Florence Y'alls, Atlanta Crackers, Portland Pickles and Pensacola Blue Wahoos.

This year I am adding the Abilene Flying Bisons, Savannah Bananas and Hub City Spartanburgers to my collection.