Salem RidgeYaks

The Salem RidgeYaks are the Single-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, playing in the Carolina League at Carilion Clinic Field at Salem Memorial Ballpark in Salem, Virginia. The franchise was rebranded from the Salem Red Sox to the RidgeYaks in November 2025, adopting an outdoors-themed identity that celebrates the Blue Ridge Mountains forming the backdrop of the ballpark.

Professional baseball in Salem dates to 1955, and the franchise has operated under numerous identities including the Salem Rebels, Pirates, Buccaneers, Avalanche, and Red Sox. Seven Carolina League championships (1955, 1965, 1972, 1974, 1987, 2001, 2013) span affiliations with the Pirates, Cardinals, Rockies, and Red Sox, making this one of the most decorated small-market franchises in the minor leagues.

The RidgeYaks name combines "Ridge" (for the Blue Ridge Mountains) with "Yak" (a symbol of strength and baseball slang for a home run), creating a unique identity rooted in the region's outdoor adventure culture. The mascot, Mac the Yak, was introduced at the autumn 2025 rebranding event. Despite the name change, the team maintains its Boston Red Sox affiliation, which began in 2009.

Under returning manager Ozzie Chavez and veteran hitting coach Nelson Paulino — entering his 29th year in the Red Sox organization — the RidgeYaks debut their new identity on April 2, 2026. Diamond Baseball Holdings, which purchased the team from Fenway Sports Group in 2023, has invested in refreshing the franchise while preserving the deep baseball tradition that has made Salem a Carolina League fixture for nearly seven decades.