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Hillcats to become Hill City Howlers in 2026 with monster-themed identity
The Hillcats era ends after 2025: Lynchburg’s longtime Single-A club will take the field in 2026 as the Hill City Howlers, unveiling a full identity refresh built around a werewolf-led monster motif and new logos from Brandiose. The franchise remains the Cleveland Guardians’ Single-A affiliate in the Carolina League and will continue to play at City Stadium in Lynchburg. [1]The Howlers’ mascot crew is headlined by Indy the Werewolf and joined by Murray the Mummy, Daisy the Bride, Victor the Vampire, and Gilly the Creature, a five-character lineup designed to give game days a bigger, spookier footprint. Planned ballpark improvements include a new left-field scoreboard with ribbon elements, an expanded team store, and enhanced grab‑and‑go concessions to speed service. [2]Ownership led by Dylan Narang is steering the change as the club leans into the Hill City identity and local landmarks; the team’s official channels now carry the Howlers look and information for the 2026 campaign. [1][3]