Mississippi
Mississippi Braves will move to Georgia at the end of the 2024 season – The Vicksburg Post
Mississippi Braves will move to Georgia at the end of the 2024 season
Published 12:21 am Wednesday, January 10, 2024
The Mississippi Braves are leaving town.
The Atlanta Braves’ Double-A affiliate announced Tuesday that it will play one more season at Trustmark Park in Pearl, and then move to Columbus, Georgia in 2025.
“We want to thank Pearl, the surrounding Jackson community, and the state of Mississippi for the incredible support for the franchise over the past 19 years,” the team said in a statement announcing the move. “We have loved creating memories with you at Trustmark Park, and we look forward to bringing you an amazing 2024 season.”
The M-Braves have played in Pearl since moving there from Greenville, South Carolina, in 2005. Their final season in Mississippi will begin April 9 against Biloxi.
In 2023 the team averaged about 2,500 fans per game at the 8,480-seat Trustmark Park, which ranked 29th out of 30 Double-A teams.
In mid-December news broke that Columbus, Georgia, was exploring $50 million in financing to renovate its 100-year-old municipal stadium and lure the M-Braves there. On Tuesday, the Columbus Council voted to approve a 20-year lease with Diamond Holdings, the company that owns the M-Braves to move the team to Georgia.
According to the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, the city council has not yet voted to approve a bond issue for the $50 million that it will take to upgrade Golden Park to Double-A standards.
“This is an exciting day for Columbus and the result of hard work and dedication from a number of parties invested in the future of our community,” Columbus mayor Skip Henderson said.
In Mississippi, the departure of the M-Braves leaves a void in Pearl. Trustmark Park was the centerpiece of a commercial area that grew to include a Bass Pro Shops, Sam’s Club, and the Outlets of Mississippi mall over the past two decades.
The stadium has also hosted college games between the state’s Division I teams, the MHSAA high school baseball state championship series, and other community events in Pearl. It hosted the Conference USA baseball tournament in 2011 and 2012, when Southern Miss was a member of the league.
“We worked diligently with Spectrum Capital, State, and County leaders, as well as Diamond Baseball Holdings, to come to an agreement,” Pearl mayor Jake Windham told WAPT-TV. “It is truly unfortunate that despite our best efforts, the Braves have chosen to take this route.”
Bloomfield Equities built Trustmark Park with private funds, but the ballpark is operated by the City of Pearl.
In its statement announcing the move, the M-Braves said they are “hopeful” that another team will take their place even as they themselves are leaving.
Diamond Holdings purchased the team in 2021 and owns 27 other minor league teams as well.
“We are hopeful that this is not the end of professional baseball in Pearl, and our organization will support any efforts to bring a team to Trustmark Park in the future,” the team said in its statement.
Mississippi
Vote for Mississippi boys high school athlete of the week Sept. 2-7
There were several top performers across the state in boys high school sports, but only one can be voted athlete of the week for Sept. 2-7.
Fans may vote in the poll BELOW one time per hour per device. The poll closes at noon on Friday.
To nominate a future athlete of the week, email mchavez@gannett.com or message him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.
To submit high school scores, statistics, records, leaders and other items at any time, email mchavez@gannett.com.
Nominations
Kendetryon Backstrom, Kemper County: Backstrom had 247 passing yards, going 13-of-16 on completions for with two touchdowns and had six carries for 45 yards and three touchdowns in Kemper County’s 46-8 win over Noxapater.
Ronde Baker, Terry: Baker produced 171 rushing yards on 12 carries with four touchdowns in Terry’s 57-6 win over Pure Academy.
Wyatt Bond, Lamar School: Bond recorded 320 passing yards, going 24-of-37 with three touchdowns, and had 43 rushing yards and two touchdowns in Lamar’s 35-34 loss to Winston Academy.
Coby King, Greene County: King was 24-of-35 passing for 418 yards with a touchdown and had 11 carries for 137 rushing yards with four touchdowns in Greene County’s 51-36 loss to George County.
Tray Kinkle, Holly Springs: Kinkle produced 10 carries for 300 yards and four touchdowns in Holly Springs’ 33-0 win over Byers.
Tyshun Willis, Velma Jackson: Willis had 15 carries for 203 rushing yards with a touchdown, four receptions with 59 receiving yards, and a touchdown. On defense, he recorded four sacks, 8.5 tackles and three tackles for loss in Velma Jackson’s 24-22 win over Yazoo County.
Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.
Mississippi
Mississippi woman killed in two-vehicle crash in Grenada County
GRENADA COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – A Mississippi woman was killed during a two-vehicle crash in Grenada County.
Officials with the Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) said the crash occurred on Highway 7 just after 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 7.
Mississippi woman killed in head-on crash in Louisiana
According to MHP, a 2002 Toyota Sequoia was traveling north on the highway when the vehicle collided with a Mercedes van that was also traveling north.
The driver of the Mercedes, 53-year-old Loretta Hopkins, of Winona, died at the scene.
This crash remains under investigation by MHP.
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Mississippi
Mississippi State’s Loss Doesn’t Stop SEC from Owning Week Two in AP Top 25
Outside of Mississippi State, Arkansas and Auburn, the SEC had a very successful Week Two of the college football season. The latest AP Top 25 poll reflects the strength of the SEC with 6 of the top 7 spots belonging to SEC teams.
Here’s a recap of how the ranked SEC teams fared in the second full week of the college football season:
Click here for a recap of the unranked SEC teams.
With the exception of giving up three points, this was probably exactly how Georgia expected this game to go. Carson Beck threw five touchdowns and the defense held Tennessee Tech to less than 150 yards of total offense. Anything less would be a surprise.
More than 100,000 people saw Texas come into Ann Arbor, Mich. and leave with a huge win. The Longhorns looked like the better team from the first drive of the game where they easily marched down the field. That Oct. 19 game in Austin against Georgia is looking better and better.
It was a lot closer than Alabama would’ve liked, but it’s a win that will fend off the “Nick Saban is gone, we’re doomed” crowd. At the same time, though, there were some things that crowd could point to at a later time.
Two games against inferior competition and Ole Miss has outscored its opponents 129-3. They’ll take a slight step up in competition next week against Wake Forest, but the Rebels are still about a month away from playing a team that will truly test them.
Missouri’s schedule just took an unexpected bump in its level of difficulty with No. 24 Boston College joining the top 25. Bill O’Brien is brilliant at game planning and calling plays (not so much with making trades, but that hasn’t reached the college ranks yet). Missouri needs to be on upset alert (and ready to stop the run).
This happens every year. Tennessee looks really good to start the season and by the end Volunteer fans are saying next year is their year. But maybe this year is their year with the way Nico Iamaleava has been playing.
Of the two SEC newcomers, Texas is getting most of the attention which makes sense based on the current teams. But folks, don’t sleep on the Sooners. They ruined many of my own childhood memories growing up in Texas. This week’s way-too close game doesn’t help that argument, but think long term.
LSU was one of three SEC teams to play FCS schools after playing top 25 teams last week. The Tigers and Texas A&M both lost, while Georgia won. So, it’s not surprising to see each of them play FCS teams and neither were any of the results.
SEC Week 2 Power Rankings: Which Teams Are Contenders or Pretenders?
WATCH: Mississippi State’s Bowl Hopes Take a Hit with Arizona State Defeat
Mississippi State Crumbles in the Trenches: What Went Wrong Against Arizona State?
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