Up North cork dorks
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BRAND IDENTITY.
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MERCHANDISE.
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TEAM UNIFORMS.
BRAND IDENTITY
“The Traverse City Pit Spitters have played in the collegiate summer level Northwoods League since 2019, with an identity that commemorates both their home state’s association with tart cherries and baseball players’ propensity for spitting. This week, the team unveiled its first alternate identity, making the temporary switch from cherries to grapes to play as the Up North Cork Dorks.
The nickname is a loving tribute to the area’s local wine lovers. Per the team, Cork Dorks is “an affectionate term for a wine enthusiast, the Cork Dorks pay homage to the 40+ wineries along Michigan’s Wine Coast.”
The identity features an anthropomorphized wine cork with all the telltale signs of elevated dorkiness: a bow tie, braces, thick glasses, and a beanie propellor cap. The suite of marks also includes the iconic mitten shape of the state of Michigan with a cork screw twisted through it.”
- Traverse City Pitspitters, 2022
2022 NWL Promotion of the year!
“The Traverse City Pit Spitters ‘Up North Cork Dorks’ promotion has been named the Promotion of the Year by the Northwoods League.
The Cork Dorks, an alternate persona of the Pit Spitters, were created in 2022 to highlight what an important part of the economy and community Traverse City’s 40-plus vineyards and wineries have become. “We wanted to tie the incredible history of wine production in the Grand Traverse region in with a fun baseball storyline and a unique in-game experience at Turtle Creek Stadium,” said Sam Connell, Director of Sales for the Traverse City Pit Spitters. “We are thrilled to bring this award home for our team and for Bonobo winery, the promotion’s primary sponsor. Without their support and vision, the ‘Cork Dorks’ couldn’t have made the impact they did. It’s a great example of a minor league team and a local business partnering to do something exciting for the community!”
Since the inaugural ‘Up North Cork Dorks’ announcement on May 12th, the team’s brand has been publicly recognized for its success by both the Northwoods League and within the baseball industry. The Pit Spitters touted unprecedented single-game attendance and merchandise sales during the ‘Cork Dorks’ game on August 5th and, thanks to the spirited, unique logo, they continue to see strong numbers in merchandise sales nearly three months after the game occurred.”
- Traverse City Pitspitters, 2022
