Adam Papin/MDN Minot Honeybees’ majority owner John Bollinger, left, and Director of Ticket Sales John Armstrong, unveil the franchise’s new name in front of supporters on Wednesday.

When the first batch of college softball players swarm Corbett Field this summer as part of the inaugural Northwoods League Softball season, they will do so under the mantle of the Honeybees. The name beat out four other finalists.

“We wanted a name that held its own, but could easily be coupled with the Hot Tots [Minot’s Northwoods League baseball team that opened play last spring], and community programs and promotions that you will see in the future,” said Monica Hocking, general manager and managing partner of the Minot Honeybees.

During the unveiling, where dozens of community members gathered across the street from Corbett Field inside the Roosevelt Zoo Visitor Center for the announcement, Hocking spoke of North Dakota’s position as the leading honey-producing state.

The close relationship between the Honeybees and Hot Tots, which are both owned by the same group, also played a key role in the brand development.

“It was important to us that our two brands work together,” said Hocking. “The nature of their names, their brand colors, I think these ties are pretty obvious when you see the logos side by side.”

The Honeybees will be one of four franchises during the inaugural season of Northwoods League Softball. The other teams include the Mankato Habaneros, out of Mankato, Minn.; the La Crosse Steam, out of La Crosse, Wisc.; and a franchise out of Madison, Wisc. that is yet to be named.

The franchise will play its games at Corbett Field, which will be outfitted with a modified fence and other accommodations for softball. The Honeybees will open the season at Mankato on Sunday, Jun.16. The team’s home opener will be on Tuesday, Jun. 25 against Madison.

Nearly all the presenters at yesterday’s event spoke of not only how popular women’s athletics are becoming, but also how important it is for young girls to feel represented on stages like the Northwoods League and to see role models in person.

“Minot certainly has a rich history of fastpitch softball,” said Thor Nelson, president and director of Minot Storm Fastpitch. “I’m sure the community is going to be more than happy to get behind this group of young ladies as well. We’ve got great coaches in the Minot area, but we also get to learn by watching high school and Minot State play and our young players really, really learn to play the game by watching those older players. That inspires our younger players.”

Other names the team considered were the Valkyries, Bombshells, Charm and Valhalla Dalas.