The introduction of the Chesapeake Oyster Catchers to the world made a splash on social media, though not in the way the minor league team may have originally spawned the idea.
The Chesapeake Baysox, the Orioles Double A affiliate, joining in on a trend of minor league baseball teams to adopt an alternate identity for one (or several) home games, unveiled theirs — the Chesapeake Oyster Catchers — along with a pair of logos, one of which made some serious waves with many who caught a glimpse.
The first, an American oystercatcher bird perched on a baseball bat instead of a branch, was described in the Baysox’s press release as a “symbol of strength and ingenuity—qualities that define both the Chesapeake region and its passionate baseball fans.”
The second logo, however, depicted a catcher’s mitt with half an oyster shell and a baseball where the pearl would be. From this logo, all sorts of conclusions were drawn and hilarity ensued. Many felt the logo shared resemblance to certain anatomical organs — and not of the bivalve variety.
No way this new logo from the Chesapeake Oyster Catchers is an accident
[image or embed] — Cody Tapp (@codybtapp.bsky.social) March 21, 2025 at 5:05 PM
If we don't get a match between the Chesapeake Oyster Catchers and the Savannah Bananas, what is minor league baseball even doing?
[image or embed] — Marcus Mauney (@marcusmauney.bsky.social) March 21, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Some were offended, and after only several minutes of pearl-clutching, the Baysox deleted the logo from all of its social media images. The team also removed any reference to the second logo from Friday’s press release announcing the alternate identity.
Perceptive internet sleuths noticed the near-immediate erasure of the pearly oyster logo, proving with screenshots that they could indeed find that which they’d been mercilessly accused of not bothering to locate. Others demanded the return of the logo, encouraging the rest of the baseball world to simultaneously stop being such prudes and get their minds out of the gutter.
On Instagram, commenters mourned the logo’s demise and begged for a comeback.
“Give us the clam glove on a fitted New Era or we riot,” demanded @clayton_209.
Thinking only of his wife, @richwine begged, “Give us what we want. My wife wants the Oyster Hat! We promise to come to game from the eastern shore! Pretty please.”
@boy_meets_cereal appealed to the team’s sense of honor and integrity, writing, “You know why we’re here, link the oyster hat. It’s the right thing to do.”
Over on Bluesky, they stayed primarily in the gutter, but in an artsy way.
25% of men would still struggle to find it
[image or embed] — Andrew Fleer (@andrewfleer.com) March 21, 2025 at 2:07 PM
georgia o’keefe just called to say that chesapeake oyster catchers logo is “a tad coarse” — Tony Wolfe (@tonywolfe.bsky.social) March 21, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Chesapeake Oyster Catchers about to save the sex lives of millions
[image or embed] — Rick Shitter (@rickshitter.bsky.social) March 22, 2025 at 6:11 PM
In a bold attempt to satisfy everyone’s needs and desires, the Chesapeake Baysox brought back the catcher’s mitt/oyster/baseball logo on some of the gear. The team even turned the marketing misstep into an opportunity for altruism by connecting the logo with Women’s History Month and a local charity, Cervivor.
Some saw an oyster. Others saw something unexpected. We see an opportunity to turn viral laughs into positive impact.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, 10% of all Oyster Catchers merch sales will support @IamCervivor. https://t.co/ApGfw9gBsn
#GoBaysox #MerchForGood pic.twitter.com/ncFPPEh1Y4 — Chesapeake Baysox (@BaysoxOfficial) March 22, 2025
Founded by Upper Marlboro resident Tamika Felder, Cervivor supports women who have had cervical cancer and others who are impacted by the disease.
On Instagram, the Baysox continued to spread the good-natured attitude, saying once they saw it, they couldn’t unsee it either.
The jerseys sold out overnight, and are back online for pre-order, and the Baysox have announced (after numerous posters demanded, begged, pleaded) that indeed, hats and shirts with the glove logo were on the way, as well.
We love a happy ending.
Yes! Hilar!
And while we’re at it, I anticipate the team’s alternate mascot debut. Hmmm.
Yet another case of “NOBODY said ANYTHING? Really???”