PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Stone Crab season has officially begun in Southwest Florida! Ripken Baseball has announced that the American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays' new High-A affiliate located in Charlotte County, Fla., will be named the Charlotte Stone Crabs.

With the stone crab being indigenous to Gulf Coast waters and having ties to the Charlotte County community, Ripken Baseball felt it was a fun and unique baseball moniker that represented the local area.

The new minor league team also announced that they will share the same color scheme as their major league affiliate with Tampa Bay Rays' blue, light blue and gold serving as their team colors.

"We chose to use the same colors because we felt it was important for fans to identify our team with the Rays," said Joe Hart, general manager of the Stone Crabs.

The team has yet to announce a logo and jersey design but plans to do so in the coming weeks.

The Stone Crabs will operate as the High-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays and will play their home games as a member of the Florida State League at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte.

"We think the team name lends itself well to the fun atmosphere we will be providing all season long. " said Cal Ripken, Jr., Hall of Fame shortstop and founder of Ripken Baseball. "The response to the team has already been overwhelming, and we are excited to be part of the community and can't wait for the Spring."

Full Season Seat packages for the Stone Crabs are currently on sale and start at just $285 per seat. Half-Season Packages and Mini Plans will become available soon. Information regarding seat packages can be obtained by calling 941-206-HITS (4487) or visiting www.charlottecountybaseball.com.