After weeks of uncertainty, the Beloit Snappers received some tremendous news Wednesday: it was announced the team will be affiliated with the Miami Marlins starting next season! This is a great match because the team will now be in the same minor league farm system as owner Quint Studer’s other team, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.

And it’s a huge relief, coming during an off season when Major League Baseball is dramatically cutting ties with several minor league clubs. There's no doubt that without the new ownership and new stadium being built right now in downtown Beloit, it's very likely the team would have been forced to play in an independant or college all-star league next season. Snappers fans should be thankful that didn't happen.

But there's still of course one major unknown involving the team: what name it will have the next time it takes the field. New owner Quint Studer told me personally that he was going to wait until the new affiliation was sorted out before he would focus again on the team's rebranding. Which is why this moment is so important -- now is the time to let the organization know what you think Beloit's new name should be!

The easiest way to make your voice heard is on the Snappers' Facebook and Twitter pages. (And while you're there please follow our new Beloit River Rockers Facebook and Twitter feeds as well) Please let the organization know that "River Rockers" is what the fans want! An idea that will allow the organization to sell brand new merchandise, but still keeps Snappy alive for the next generation of fans.

Thank you for your continued support. All of us matter in this fight. Please let everyone know what you are doing to help in the comments section below.