Wichita Wind Surge


The Wichita Wind Surge is an American Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. They are located in Wichita, Kansas, and were scheduled to begin play in 2020 at Riverfront Stadium until the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

History

Prior to 2020, the Wind Surge had been located in Metairie, Louisiana playing as the New Orleans Baby Cakes. The team had been there since 1993 when the Denver Zephyrs had been forced to move due to the Colorado Rockies' entry into Major League Baseball. The team's history is traced back to 1888, with the founding of the Kansas City Blues.
In September 2018, the city of Wichita paid US$2.2 million to the Wichita Wingnuts to break their lease at Lawrence–Dumont Stadium, with plans to demolish it and build a larger ballpark to host an affiliated Minor League Baseball team. The city later announced that a new $75 million stadium will be built to host the Triple-A New Orleans Baby Cakes, who agreed to relocate to Wichita starting in 2020.
The club announced its nickname in November 2019. The team name was met with criticism from Wichita residents following the announcement. Later in the day the name was announced, a Change.org petition was started to change the name. In less than 24 hours the petition had already collected over 7,400 signatures.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wind Surge were scheduled to begin their inaugural season on the road playing against the Round Rock Express on April 8, 2020, and to play their first home game on April 14 against the Memphis Redbirds. Initially postponed due to the pandemic, the season was ultimately cancelled on June 30. Owner Lou Schwechheimer died from complications from COVID.

Roster