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Lake Elsinore Storm

Lake Elsinore Storm Change Name

March 31, 2005 - California League (CalL1)
Lake Elsinore Storm News Release


Lake Elsinore, CA - The Lake Elsinore Storm have announced a name change for the upcoming 2005 season. The Storm will now be officially known as the Anaheim / Los Angeles / San Diego Storm of Lake Elsinore. The Storm are the Class A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, this change is effective immediately.

The inclusion of Anaheim, Los Angeles and San Diego in the Storm’s name reflects the team’s competitive interest in the continued growth of its fan base and marketing of its already top selling Minor League logo. “Long term, we have to look at the branding of our image not only here in Southern California, but all over The United States. Will people be hurt emotionally? Yes. But, I think objectively they’re going to see a better product on the field and we’re going to continue the affordability of the experience,” Dave Oster, Storm President and General Manager, said as the Storm get ready to start the 2005 season. The Storm’s primary and secondary logos, which both feature the number one selling “eyes” logo, will not be changed.

The change in name will strengthen the Storm's long-term economic well-being by enhancing the marketability through those metropolitan areas and beyond. The new name will attract more fans along with more advertising and greater exposure throughout Southern California. “The bottom line, we just want to make more money,” said Dave Oster.

"We are not satisfied with just being Lake Elsinore’s minor league team; we want to be America’s Minor League Baseball Team. If we are going to compete at the national level, we need to be able to build our brand, that’s what this is all about. We are in the No. 2 media market, the No. 1 entertainment market in the world," commented Oster. "For us to stick our head in the sand and not reach out to that market, then we're doing a disservice to not only our organization, but to our fans." Oster went on to add, “We figured since the Angels abandoned Anaheim that we’d stake claim to that area and beyond. With our location the boundaries are endless. We are an hour from anywhere.”

The Storm have enjoyed tremendous success in Lake Elsinore, highlighted by California League Championships in 1996 and 2001, that same season they were named Baseball America Minor League Team of the Year. The organization will continue to work closely with the City of Lake Elsinore in promoting the community, The Diamond Stadium in Lake Elsinore, and the Storm’s baseball experience.

The Storm open the 2005 season by hosting the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, Class A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. For more information contact the Storm at 951-245-HITS or at www.stormbaseball.com.

Check out the Lake Elsinore Storm Statistics

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California League Stories from March 31, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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