The Blue Wahoos celebrated their 2026 season on Sept. 22 with their game-day employees and season-ticket holders, amid a symbolic setting.
A late-afternoon thunderstorm had soaked the infield at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The tables set up around the infield turf had to be dried off before guests arrived. Then, a persistent light drizzle continued throughout the on-field dinner gathering as some guests held umbrellas while eating.
Oh yes, and a rainbow appeared behind the left field stands as well. Welcome to the final reminder of the season’s narrative.
“It would not be a Blue Wahoos event without rain,” said team president Jonathan Griffith as smiled in addressing the gathering. “We won’t be pulling tarp afterwards,”
The team’s annual Wahoos Diamond Awards provided a way to thank the people who make the Blue Wahoos game experience special and renowned throughout Minor League Baseball.
That experience was rated No. 3 in MiLB gate entry experience, No. 4 in Net Promoter Score – a measurement of fan satisfaction – and the Blue Wahoos front office staff was surveyed as No. 1 across all levels including the 30 Major League Baseball organizations.
“What a perfect night to thank all of you for what you do to make the Blue Wahoos a model organization in Minor League Baseball, and recognize a select few of you that went above and beyond this season to meet our mission: To create memorable experiences,” said Erik Bremer, the Blue Wahoos' manager of broadcasting and media relations, who presided as the emcee of the event.
On the field, the team’s 79-58 regular-season tied for second-most wins in franchise history and the third-best win percentage in the ballclub’s 14-year existence.
The Blue Wahoos attracted 245,871 fans, including 22 sellout crowds, which led the Southern League. They had a five-percent increase in average attendance despite having a club record six games postponed by weather. Five of those games were shifted into a doubleheader and the other game in the second half of the season was not made up.
The previous high for postponements were two games in the same season. This year tripled that total, but the Blue Wahoos made the most of each game experience.
“The numbers we’re doing are incredible and it’s all because of the people, and I want to thank you guys (game-day staff, season-ticket holders) for that,” Griffith said. “All the things you all do are amazing.”
The Blue Wahoos' overall food and beverage experience was rated No. 3 in MiLB. The team’s merchandise operation kept its Top 5 rank in MiLB.
“The success, the statistics, the rankings all go back to (game-day staff, season-ticket holders). Our employees are our lifeblood,” Griffith said.
During the Diamond Awards event, the Blue Wahoos honored six season-ticket holders: Scott Bowden, Paul and Brenda Frederick, Jay Hollnagel, Michelle Inere, Mark Washburn, all of whom attended all 68 home homes. They are part of nearly 1,800-season ticket holders.
“We have one of the largest single-ticket holder bases in all minor leagues,” Griffith said. “We are very thankful for that.”
Individual awards were handed out to game day employees in Creative Services, Ticketing, Merchandise, Operations, Groups, Grounds Crew, Food & Beverage, Rising Star, Above And Beyond, Anchor Award, Team Player Award, Spotlight Award, People’s Choice Award.
Josh Purcell, who won Ticket Seller of the Year award, was also named and 2026 Diamond Awards MVP for all he did in aiding season-ticket holders, walkup buyers and other ticket purchases.
It completed a night which featured a variety of entrees, salads, vegetables and desserts in a buffet dinner prepared by Blue Wahoos executive chef Travis Wilson and his culinary team of Carl Sackman and Jeff Price, along with food and beverage manager Annah Lewis and general manager Eric Kroll.