The Akron RubberDucks are making way for a new duck in town, and she’s donning her best blue bow.
That’s right: She.
The RubberDucks’ new female mascot, a duck dressed in a blue skirt and Akron tee, will make her debut at the home opener April 14 at Canal Park, versus the Bowie (Maryland) Baysox.
She-who-will-soon-be-named will cheer alongside her male counterpart Webster as well as her feathered and feline friends Homer, a pigeon; and Orbit, a cat — the official mascots for the RubberDucks. Fans will have a chance to submit names for the new bird in a contest that will end on Friday.
Afterward, the RubberDucks front office will determine the top five names of those submitted. People will be able to vote on their favorite name from April 4-7.
The winning name will be announced April 8. One person from among all who submitted the winning name will be randomly selected to receive tickets to opening night as well as a chance to participate in the unveiling ceremony and have the first photo taken with the new mascot.
Christina Urycki, the RubberDucks’ promotions coordinator, said fans loved Webster when he first arrived in 2014, and this year the team decided it was time to give fans something new.
“You only see male mascots in sports,” Urycki said. “She seemed like a perfect fit.”
This season marks the team’s 20th year since moving to Canal Park in 1996.
The home opener is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. April 14. To submit a name, visit https://slate.adobe.com/cp/SeUlJ/.
Teresa Cottom can be reached at 330-996-3216 or tcottom@thebeaconjournal.com.