DECATUR, Ill. – A new era of summer baseball that will be played on has a name.
After receiving more than 1,000 fan submissions, the Decatur Baseball Club unveiled the name of its Prospect League team:. The name is a, a community-driven brand that reflects the city’s agricultural roots, sports history, and partnership with Millikin University.
The Bean Ballers will begin play on May 26 at Millikin University’s Workman Family Baseball Field, competing in the collegiate summer Prospect League with a 56-game schedule that includes 28 home dates in Decatur.
During a fan event held on Tuesday, Feb. 17, Decatur Bean Ballers Chief Storyteller Jamie Toole shared that the naming process centered on listening to the community.
“In these types of properties, it’s really not your team — it’s the community’s team,” Toole said. “More than 80 percent of the submissions were tied to soybeans, agriculture, and what makes Decatur unique.”
The name “Bean Ballers” blends multiple local influences. It celebrates Decatur’s identity as a major hub of the soybean and agricultural industries, while adding a playful nod to baseball culture and family-friendly entertainment.
Toole noted that another strong theme in fan submissions connected to Decatur’s historic ties to professional football. The Chicago Bears franchise originated as the Decatur Staleys, and the Bean Ballers brand incorporates a bear to honor that legacy.
The Bean Ballers’ visual identity uses lighter green and blue as primary colors. The green represents agriculture and crop heritage, while the blue reflects the team’s partnership with Millikin and its home at Workman Family Baseball Field.
Toole said the goal was to build a brand that resonates across generations.
“We want kids and families deciding what to do on a summer night and choosing baseball,” Toole said. “It’s about creating something fun that brings people together.”
The brand will extend beyond the team name with themed promotions, multiple logos, and creative experiences designed to connect with fans throughout the season.
The Bean Ballers’ debut also marks a significant collaboration with Millikin, where the team will play home games at Workman Family Baseball Field.
Toole praised the partnership and the opportunity to build connections with the University and its students.
“There’s no better partners than the people at Millikin,” Toole said. “From leadership to athletics, they understand what we’re trying to build and how it connects with the community.”
The partnership is expected to create hands-on opportunities for Millikin students, particularly in Sports Management and Communications, with internships already in development and future player connections possible.
With the name now revealed, the focus turns to finalizing the inaugural season. The team plans to announce players, promotions, and community events in the coming months.
When the Bean Ballers take the field this May, Decatur fans will see more than just a new team — they’ll see a brand built from local pride and shared history.
“The Decatur Bean Ballers have arrived,” the organization said in its announcement. “And baseball in Decatur will never be the same.”
