Jacksonville Power Players say a half decade of the Jumbo Shrimp baseball team has been embraced by the community

April’s Power Poll shows Jacksonville movers and shakers like their Jumbo Shrimp baseball style. It’s been a full half a decade since the city’s Minor League Baseball franchises switched names from the traditional moniker of the Suns that lasted for decades.

But in that time since the name change, it seems civic and business leaders have come to embrace the Jumbo Shrimp for the most part. As the Jumbo Shrimp are in the beginning phases of their sixth year, Jacksonville is down with the makeover.

Some 66% of the respondents taking part in this month’s Power Poll say Jumbo Shrimp is a cool name and it reflects a more local flavor than the Suns. Another 27% said they never liked the Jumbo Shrimp name and think it’s goofy as they always liked the Suns better. Still, some 8% said they don’t care what the name is, it’s professional baseball in Jacksonville.

While many say the Jumbo Shrimp name appeals to them, 48% of the people taking part in the Power Poll said the name change generally did not impact their perspective of Minor League Baseball in Jacksonville and they’d go to games no matter what. Another 34% said it made them more interested in the Minor League Baseball team than before the name change while 8% each said they never went to games before the name change and still don’t or they’re not sure.

When it comes to the fan experience at Jumbo Shrimp games at 121 Financial Ballpark in the past five years, the franchise is popular. Some 63% of poll participants said the experience has been great and there seems to be more enthusiasm and fun at the ball games. Another 28% said they haven’t noticed any difference but Jumbo Shrimp games are a great bargain for family entertainment and fun. Six percent said they’re not sure and 3% said who cares? It’s baseball and they don’t go to the games.

Thanks for taking part in April’s Jacksonville Power Poll and look for another survey in May tapping into the views and concerns of the business and community leaders of our city.