Hill City Howlers

The Hill City Howlers are the Single-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, playing in the Carolina League at Bank of the James Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia. The franchise was rebranded from the Lynchburg Hillcats to the Hill City Howlers in February 2026 by owner Dylan Narang, a filmmaker who purchased the team from Elmore Sports Group in 2024 and partnered with design firm Brandiose to create a unique monster-themed identity featuring five classic creature mascots.

The modern franchise dates to 1995, when the team was established as the Lynchburg Hillcats under a Pittsburgh Pirates affiliation. Across partnerships with the Pirates (1995-2009), Cincinnati Reds (2010), Atlanta Braves (2011-2014), and Cleveland Indians/Guardians (2015-present), the franchise has won nine league championships, including a franchise-best 87-win campaign and Carolina League title in 2017, and a ninth championship in 2025 under then-bench-coach Erlin Cerda, who was promoted to manager for 2026.

Bank of the James Stadium, originally known as City Stadium, has been the franchise's home since its inception. Located in the heart of Lynchburg — known as the "Hill City" for its seven hills — the ballpark has hosted some of the finest young talent in baseball over the decades. The Howlers' new identity reflects the franchise's desire to energize the fan experience while honoring Lynchburg's deep baseball roots, which stretch back to the Lynchburg Climbers of 1894.

Under manager Erlin Cerda and the Cleveland Guardians' player development system, the Howlers enter their inaugural season as defending Carolina League champions, carrying forward a tradition of competitive excellence that has made Lynchburg one of the most successful Single-A markets in the country.