ArcBest signs on as presenting sponsor of the Fort Smith Marshals
by March 11, 2024 5:12 pm 970 views
Fort Smith-based ArcBest is the presenting sponsor of the newly formed Fort Smith Marshals baseball team. No terms were disclosed on the sponsorship amount, which will cover the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
According to the Marshals, the sponsorship will include a patch on the shoulder of team uniforms, a 10’x20’ outfield wall sign, dugout signage, print and digital website placement, and various promotional events.
“We look forward to serving as the presenting sponsor for the Fort Smith Marshals when they take the field in May,” Erin Gattis, chief human resources officer at ArcBest, said in a statement. “Having a Mid America League baseball team right here in our back yard not only provides an exciting new experience for our people, but it also contributes to the vibrancy of Fort Smith – supporting economic growth and more activities for residents and visitors to enjoy. It aligns well with our commitment to growing and serving the communities where we live, work and operate.”
The newly formed Mid America League in November selected Fort Smith as one of six team locations to play ball in May 2024. Lawrence, Kan.-based National Sports Services and Ventura Sports Group created the Mid America League, which the two groups say is “a new premium baseball development league.” According to Mid America, team selections were from regions with at least 100,000 population “with a solid business base, and will initially play in a combination of municipal and university facilities.”
“It takes a company like ArcBest to see not only the value of our partnership, but assisting us in providing our entire community a great experience all summer,” Team General Manager Greg Kigar noted in the press release.
The Marshals will play their home games at Crowder Field, home of the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Lions baseball team. Facility enhancements for the Marshals’ season will enhance the overall game experience for fans, according to Kigar.
Play for the Marshals begins May 23 with a four-game series at home against Texarkana, Texas. Steve Maddock was recently hired as the head coach for the inaugural season. Info about tickets and other team information can be found at the team’s website, and at (479) 551-2247.
ArcBest has around 15,000 employees at 250 locations. ABF Freight is the largest subsidiary is a less-than-truckload carrier. On Feb. 6, the company reported a full-year net income of $195.433 million, down 34.4% compared with $298.209 million in 2022. Revenue in 2023 totaled $4.427 billion, down 12% compared with $5.029 billion in 2022.