By: The Mississippi Monitor
Special to The Mississippi Monitor.
The MS Braves have announced that this, their twentieth year in Pearl at Trustmark Park, will be their last season in Mississippi, and that the Atlanta Braves will be moving the team to Columbus, Georgia.
The announcement was made on Tuesday evening, January 29, in a post on social media to the MS Braves fans.
“To our incredible fans- 2024 will be the M-Braves’ final season in Pearl, Mississippi. The Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves will be relocating to Columbus, Georgia, as of the start of the 2025 season. We want to thank Pearl, the surrounding Jackson community and the state of Mississippi for the incredible support for the franchise over the past nineteen years. We have loved creating memories with you at Trustmark Park, and we look forward to bringing you an amazing 2024 season. The M-Braves will be commemorating the 20th season at Trustmark Park throughout the sixty-nine-game home schedule in 2024, beginning with Opening Day on Tuesday, April 9, vs. Biloxi. We are hopeful that this is not the end of professional baseball in Pearl, and our organization will support any efforts to bring a team to Trustmark Park in the future.”
The City of Pearl has said that collaborative efforts were made this past year by the City government, County, and state officials to keep the team in Pearl. Legislation was passed to help create a favorable environment for the Brave’s ownership, Diamond Baseball Holdings. Officials said that the collaboration sought to enhance the local community, foster economic growth and solidify the team’s presence in Mississippi.
“We worked diligently with Spectrum Capital, State and County leaders, as well as Diamond Baseball Holdings, to come to an agreement,” expressed Pearl Mayor Jake Windham. “It is truly unfortunate that, despite our best efforts, the Braves have chosen to take this route.”
“The City of Pearl and its dedicated leaders express their disappointment at the decision made by Diamond Baseball Holdings to relocate the Mississippi Braves. The departure will undoubtedly leave a void in the hearts of local fans, who have supported the team throughout its tenure in Pearl.”
Kathy Deer, executive director of the Pearl Chamber of commerce, said, “We are very sad to see the Mississippi Braves leave Pearl. Over the last twenty years, they have been a huge attraction, drawing 3.4 million fans from all over the state to Pearl, Mississippi. Most of us in this area were Atlanta Braves fans long before the Mississippi Braves were here, so it was a natural fit for us. The baseball games have always been exciting and gave us a chance to watch first class baseball and watch as a total of 166 minor league players go on to the big league through the years. We will miss the economic impact that the Braves made here locally, packing our hotels, restaurants and retail businesses on game days, but we will also miss their dedication to community involvement in our city, chamber and schools. They have been like family members and for that we are very grateful.”
Before the start of the upcoming season, the College Baseball Series from Spectrum events will return to Trustmark Park. The college games will start on March 5 and feature Mississippi State University (MSU) versus the University of Southern Mississippi (USM). March 19 will showcase USM vs. Ole Miss. Then, May 1 will be the Governor’s Cup, Ole Miss vs. MSU. Tickets for these games are on sale now, as are the regular Braves season tickets.
Windham and City officials say they are hopeful for the future.
“The City of Pearl extends its gratitude to the fans, local businesses and the entire community for their unwavering support of the Mississippi Braves over the years. Despite the team’s departure, the City remains optimistic about the future and is dedicated to fostering a vibrant and thriving community for all its residents.”
Opening night for the MS Braves will be April 9, 2024, at Trustmark Park at 6:35 p.m. The Braves will face off against the Biloxi Shuckers.