Mid-America League unveils Meridian team name, logo

Published 12:53 pm Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Mid-America League Commissioner Nick Weisenborn presents the first Meridian Blues cap to Mayor Percy Bland after announcing the team name and logo Wednesday at The MAX. Photo by Thomas Howard

East Mississippi residents will be able to enjoy professional baseball in Meridian after the city was awarded a franchise by the Mid-America League. League leadership and local officials gathered Wednesday at The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience to unveil the team name and logo ahead of its inaugural season.

Meridian Community College President Tom Huebner, from left, Mid-America League Commissioner Nick Weisenborn, League CEO Mark Schuster and Meridian Mayor Percy Bland stand for a photo Wednesday at The MAX after unveiling the name of Meridian’s new professional baseball team, the Meridian Blues. Photo by Thomas Howard

The Meridian Blues pays tribute to the Queen City’s rich musical history, with several prominent blues musicians drawing inspiration from Meridian’s Jimmie Rodgers. The logo, a red fox, is also a nod to Rodgers with its distinctive howling representing the artist’s signature yodeling.

Visit Meridian Executive Director Laura Carmichael said the new team will further develop Meridian as a tourist destination and provide another reason for visitors to come to town.

“This venture brings more than just great competition. It creates new energy, attracts visitors and strengthens Meridian’s profile as a destination for families, fans and athletes alike,” she said.

Mid-America League CEO Mark Schuster said efforts to bring a team to Meridian have been in the works for several years, and everyone involved in the process has worked hard to make it happen. In visiting different cities, he said, there’s a noticeable separation between communities that have reasons why things won’t happen and communities where leaders work to make opportunity possible.

“There has been nothing but positive movement from the very first day that I came to Meridian almost three years ago,” he said.

As the founder of the Mid-America League, Schuster said the mission is to represent Meridian well and provide fun, family-friendly entertainment. While everyone wants their team to win, success is seeing smiles on fans’ faces as they leave the stadium.

“We always say, and many of you have heard me say this before that if fans leave the game not knowing the score that we know that we thoroughly entertained you and you had a good time,” he said. “So this is your team now. We’re just the stewards. Come out, support it and make it your own.”

Meridian Mayor Percy Bland said Meridian is a sports town, and having its own professional baseball team is a great opportunity for the city. The Queen City has a track record of producing talented athletes, he said, and, whether fans know the score or not, Meridian wants to win.

Mid-America League started in 2024 with six clubs and will go into the 2026 summer season with eight clubs throughout Missouri, Kansas, Texas and now Mississippi, said Commissioner Nick Weisenborn. Teams play a 64-game season, with 32 games at home and 32 games away. Home games for the Blues will be played at Meridian Community College.

“We’re a hybrid, independent league, so that brings the ability to mostly college players that play in our league, but we also allow professional players who have played professional baseball that many not have an opportunity to go anywhere else, that may been released from professional baseball and need a spot to land and that’s what we give them,” he said.

Also unique about the Mid-America League is that it uses NIL or Name, Image and Likeness agreements to pay its athletes. Under NIL agreements, players can be paid for autographs, public appearances, product endorsements and more. Weisenborn said that is also an opportunity for local businesses who may want to sponsor an athlete or explore other NIL opportunities.

MCC President Tom Huebner said Meridian is a baseball town and there is a lot of community support for the sport. Throughout the past three years of discussions, local leaders began to understand having a team was both an opportunity for baseball and for the community as a whole, and the size of impact it will have on the community came into view.

“When we knew we could create an opportunity for baseball players, but really we began to learn what an opportunity this would be for our city and for our community, and so I am proud that we could partner with you Mark, Nick,” he said. “I’m proud that we can be a program affiliated with you all, and I just think we’re going to be awesome.”