County officials have mixed feelings on Gwinnett Braves name change

May 11, 2017 - Lawrenceville, Ga: Gwinnett Braves starting pitcher Sean Newcomb (15) delivers a pitch to a Toledo Mud Hens batter during their game at Coolray Field Thursday, May 11, 2017, in Lawrenceville, Ga.  PHOTO / JASON GETZ

Credit: Jason Getz

Credit: Jason Getz

May 11, 2017 - Lawrenceville, Ga: Gwinnett Braves starting pitcher Sean Newcomb (15) delivers a pitch to a Toledo Mud Hens batter during their game at Coolray Field Thursday, May 11, 2017, in Lawrenceville, Ga. PHOTO / JASON GETZ

The Gwinnett Braves announced Monday that, come 2018, they'll no longer be that: Braves.

Officials are soliciting fan help to find a replacement for the iconic moniker, which they said has created "confusion" among fans of the big league ball club in Atlanta and its Triple-A affiliate in Lawrenceville.

The team hopes to find a "unique, hometown" name — but Gwinnett County officials, who have seen poor performance at the box office and a disappointing lack of development around taxpayer-funded Coolray Field, aren't sure what to make of the decision.

“I’m a little concerned in that I don’t want the Braves to do anything that would affect the marketability of the stadium and bringing people out to our ballpark,” District 4 Commissioner John Heard said Monday.  “Although I’m so disappointed in the attendance that they’re having right now that I don’t think they could do anything to hurt.”

Read more about the name change proposal — and what county officials had to say — on myAJC.com.