The Winnipeg Goldeyes, a team in the American Association of Professional Baseball, had to convince their fans that they were not kidding around when they announced that they would play one game this season as the Manitoba Mosquitoes. When the team made the announcement, skeptics noted the date—April 1—but when the news was still online the morning of April 2, fans knew it was for real.
In the tradition of the erstwhile Sugar Land Skeeters and Savannah Sand Gnats, the Manitoba Mosquitoes identity celebrates one of the province’s biggest pests.
“For decades, mosquitoes have terrorized Manitobans with elite speed, pinpoint accuracy, and an uncanny ability to show up exactly when you thought you were safe at home,” the team said in a statement. “After extensive scouting, the Goldeyes concluded there was no more fitting symbol of summer dominance.”
The logo features a gritting, anthropomorphic mosquito holding a baseball bat. The veins of the bug’s wings are represented by the seams of a baseball.
“The alternate identity pays tribute to Manitoba’s unofficial provincial bird, whose legendary work ethic and refusal to quit have inspired generations of campers, cottagers, and baseball fans alike,” the team said.
The Moquitoes will take the field July 31, 2026.