For this edition of Cardinal Way: Civility Rules, we are taking a decidedly light-hearted turn to hear from readers about the Salem RidgeYaks, the new name for the city’s minor league baseball team.
Most of the comments and responses we received were disapproving or downright comical, especially since “yak” can sometimes be slang for vomit. But there were a few who were willing to give it a chance, and others who thought everyone else was taking the name way too seriously.
Here’s some of what we heard. The responses have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity:
“Unique and fun”
I think the name and logo are great. It will catch on and give our fans something far better than a generic MLB name. – Jerry Herndon Jr., Roanoke
At first I was like everyone else with the same response: “Huh?” Then as my two-year-old daughter made her way down to the field to meet the new mascot, it was evident that she was infatuated with him! That’s what it’s about, growing the game within the future of tomorrow’s eyes! She followed that guy around the entire stadium until he disappeared! We will be supporters and frequent the games when the Yaks are in town! – Jonas Burris, Salem
I was surprised by the name, but I like the ridge concept and the kayak concept. Speaks to our focus on the outdoors and the beautiful area we live in. Rest in peace Mugsy! – Kim Roe, Roanoke
I love it! It’s different and creative! Minor League teams are supposed to be fun and silly! It’s not like the Bananas are native to Savannah, yet everyone loves them. Mac was named after McAfee Knob and the Yak comes from KaYAKing, for which the Blue Ridge has been voted some of the best kayaking spots multiple times. Have some depth, people. – Margaux Bellinger, Roanoke
“Really?!”
What in the . . . ? – Michelle Warren, Salem
I’m an 80s kid. To me yak means barf. So, I was less than impressed. Also, with all SWVA has animal-wise, ya’ll pick a Mongolian Yak? I get the awkward tie into kayaking, but it’s a reach. – Kelly McKenna, Roanoke
On that note, Jamie Weddle of Salem was inspired to use AI to generate an image of what the new name meant to him:
I don’t understand why it involves Yaks. As a minor league team that probably wants to draw in more fans, I would assume they would pick something snappier. – Corey Raucheisen, Roanoke
Others picked up how RidgeYaks could be confused with “rejects” over a crackly sound system at a stadium.
Comment
byu/BornAmbassador01 from discussion
inroanoke
I don’t care either way about the Yak. It’s the modifier that annoys me. Yaks live on ridges, so RidgeYaks feels redundant. We live in the Roanoke Valley, the kayak is on the river, and rivers are generally in valleys, not ridges. Why not call them the ValleyYaks or RiverYaks? Ultimately, I don’t care, and this will all blow over when the team starts playing. – Jeffrey Wiegand, Roanoke
I thought it was funny that people might now think that the team is affiliated with the New York Yakees 😂 – Keith Finch, Blacksburg native now living in Japan. He used AI to generate the image to the left. Considering the team is affiliated with the Boston Red Sox, the Yankees’ longtime rival, the confusion could be understandable.
The most similar feeling I’ve ever had was when the Taubman Art Museum was completed, supposedly in the architectural style of our mountains. That would have been exciting if properly executed, but when the most prominent feature was a rigid point, the museum’s design failed on its own terms. Much the same with this: developing a new name is fine, making it outdoors-themed is fine, the actual execution, though, is a failure. The name of the consultancy paid presumably a great deal of money should be known and live in infamy in these parts for at least a whole generation. – Matthew Gallimore, Hanging Rock
One Redditor pulled a long-lost reference from the 90s cartoon “The Ren & Stimpy Show” to a magical yak on a canoe.
Comment
byu/BornAmbassador01 from discussion
inroanoke
“It’s growing on me”
Now knowing the backstory of the name, it is growing on me, and I can see picking up some Yak gear in the coming weeks. I hope the team embraces the mascot for between-inning entertainment. – Patrick Johnson, Riner
At first, I was a bit surprised and didn’t know how to take it. I loved that the team had the name ridge in it because one of my favorite things about going to Salem Red Sox games is the Blue Ridge Mountains in right field. I was a bit surprised about the Yaks but then I realized that Yak was a clipping of kayak. It’s like when you realize the arrow in the FedEx logo. I think it is a wonderful team name for the area. I think once people see the uniforms and logos in April, they will be yelling, “Go Yaks!” – Michael Hackworth, Richmond (formerly of Roanoke)
It’s certainly not going to stop us from going to games, it’s a great venue and a fun time, whatever they are called. I support them changing the name and I’m sure we will all adapt. I just wish they’d thought of something that connects mascot wise. I understand their explanations and give them points for putting thought into it. I slept OK last night and think I won’t lose sleep about it tonight either 😄I just think with all the creativity in our world, it could’ve been better, but I’m far from creative myself, so who am I to criticize, I guess. – Karen Bishop Brown, Roanoke
My first reaction was that it has nothing to do with SWVA or Salem, but I suspect that by April I’ll have come around. I do like the graphics. And while my first reaction was that I wouldn’t buy any of the merch, I’ve already been browsing the online store. There’s been good explanatory social media posts by the team and if they stick to it, and emphasize the outdoorsyness during the season, I suspect most will come around. – Christopher Shaver, Roanoke
RidgeYaks together, in itself, is on brand for the quirkiness of minor league baseball. As long as kids like it and have fun with the new identity, let’s agree to support it. And especially still having minor league baseball after MLB gutted 45 teams, including the entire Appalachian League in recent years. – Eric Coffey, Roanoke