Want to get in the know about independent and summer collegiate baseball teams but don’t know where to start? 

FloBaseball has you covered, broadcasting some of the best of the best in independent ball and summer college leagues across North America, all season long.

Some especially unique ballclubs around the scene need their own introductions, however. 

That’s where FloBaseball’s team profile series comes into play to help out, explaining and breaking down some of the quirks and features that make each club tick.

Here’s a breakdown of the Coastal Plain League’s Boone Bigfoots.

What Year Were The Boone Bigfoots Founded?

The newest team in the Coastal Plain League, the Boone Bigfoots, were founded in 2021 as an independent club and filled a gap in the CPL left behind this past offseason by the uber-popular and two-time defending champion Savannah Bananas, who left the league after the 2022 season to focus entirely on exhibition games. 

Boone currently plays in the West Division of the CPL. 

Who Owns The Boone Bigfoots?

The team is owned by entertainment industry veteran Bob Wilson (who also acts as the team’s president), with the local resident holding a unique background of working behind the scenes on the sets of television shows and movies.

Wilson has been credited as a producer on Netflix’s “Cobra Kai” series. 

But the Bigfoots’ business structure is unique beyond just the ownership. 

Per the team’s website, the club is a 501(c3) nonprofit organization, with all proceeds going to the Appalachian State University Athletic Scholarship Fund. 

The college also is located with the team in Boone, North Carolina.

What Is The History Of The Boone Bigfoots Team Name And Mascot?

If it wasn’t clear enough by the moniker and the team’s logo of a snarling, hairy man-beast, the Bigfoots’ nickname comes from the legendary, mythical creature of the same name believed in tall tales to roam around forests, including in and around the Appalachian Mountains and High Country that surrounds Boone. 

Reported “sightings” of Bigfoot have been known to occur in the area, which the city of Boone often utilizes as a marketing tool. 

In fact, it isn’t even the only sports team in town that utilizes the beast in its branding. Semi-pro soccer club Appalachian FC features Bigfoot/Sasquatch on its crest, too.

Have The Boone Bigfoots Ever Won A Coastal Plain League Championship?

As this year is the Bigfoots’ first season in the CPL, they have never won a league title, but the result of their 2023 campaign is yet to be determined. 

Boone is 12-14 entering Friday’s games and is fourth in the West, needing to be among the top two teams in the division in order to qualify for the fast-approaching Pettit Cup Playoffs, which begin next month.

The Bigfoots are four games back of the second-place Macon Bacon.

Beautiful day for a @BBigfoots game! pic.twitter.com/f6nagKjJLb

— David Jackson (@BooneChamberDJ) July 9, 2023

Where do the Boone Bigfoots play?

The Bigfoots have had a strong partnership with Appalachian State since their founding, a bond that includes the summer club being able to use the Mountaineers’ ballpark in Boone, Beaver Field and Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium. 

Opened in 2007, the stadium’s capacity is rather small at just around 1,000 people, but its surrounding atmosphere of picturesque views of North Carolina’s rolling hills and forests has earned it plenty of praise as a stunning environment to watch a baseball game. 

An AstroTurf surface was installed prior to the 2020 season, as well, giving the field flexibility and use when weather comes into play during games.

Boone Bigfoots Notable Alumni

Due to its little amount of time even existing as a team, the Bigfoots still are developing a distinguished list of former players, but the allure of the CPL – which has seen the likes of Justin Verlander, Ryan Zimmerman and Kevin Youkilis play summer ball – very well may attract some more high-level talent to Boone over the years and be a possible launch point for players to boost up their MLB Draft stock. 

Boone’s current roster has a heavy contingent of players from in-state colleges and/or around the High Country region, though outfielder Nadir Lewis (who played college ball at Princeton in New Jersey) has been one of the stars for the Bigfoots this summer. He’s batting .429 with 31 RBIs as of this writing and leads the CPL in the former category.

Back 2 Back!

What a special moment for two special players!

We wish them the best of luck in their future professional careers!#ForeverFoots pic.twitter.com/46pp4fU7pL

— Boone Bigfoots (@BBigfoots) July 12, 2023

How To Watch The Boone Bigfoots

Atlantic, Frontier, Pioneer and the Coastal Summer Plain League, as well as the Florida Collegiate Summer League, all are streaming on FloBaseball and the FloSports app. 

Replays, highlights and more news can be found on the site.