It turns out the $16 million sale of Hammons Field to the City of Springfield wasn’t the only hot and fresh deal in the works for the Springfield Cardinals in 2023.
The team announced plans to assume an “alternate identity” as the Springfield Cashew Chickens for at least one weekend of baseball at the end of May — with the possibility of more nutty and fried fun later this season.
“We're so excited to transform into the Springfield Cashew Chickens as our first-ever alternate identity in team history,” said Springfield Cardinals general manager Dan Reiter. “We know our community is passionate about their Springfield Cardinals and their cashew chicken; what better way to celebrate both Springfield staples than combining them at Hammons Field?”
With a combination that includes new red and black uniforms, a logo celebrating David Leong’s creation that put Springfield Chinese food on the map, and some fried rice and fish sauce, the Springfield Cardinals will take the field as the Cashew Chickens May 25, and play out the weekend of games against the Wichita Wind Surge as the Chickens.
If the uniforms aren’t enough to entice fans to come to Hammons Field, an all new signature cashew chicken dish will also be for sale at stadium concession stands during Cashew Chickens games May 25-27.
In a statement announcing the alternate identity, the Cardinals made the savory pledge to suit up as the Cashew Chickens, “periodically throughout the rest of the season.”
Fans can order their Springfield Cashew Chickens merchandise on the team’s website. A red and black cap with a logo featuring a distinct Chinese food container and the letter “S” retails for $34.99. Cashew Chickens T-shirts are also on sale in red and charcoal gray, at $32.99 for adults and $29.99 in children’s sizes.
