Benton Taters Bring Minor League Baseball to Marshall County

New team to debut in 2027, arriving by helicopter for announcement at H.H. Lovett Park

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:32pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an abstracted baseball game, with angular, overlapping shapes in shades of orange, brown, and blue representing the players and action on the field.The Benton Taters' arrival brings a new era of professional baseball to Marshall County, blending the region's agricultural heritage with the dynamic energy of the sport.Benton Today

In a surprise announcement, restaurateur Aaron Clayton and his ownership group revealed they are bringing a new Class A minor league baseball team called the Benton Taters to Marshall County, Kentucky. The team will play its home games at the historic H.H. Lovett Park, which has hosted the annual Tater Day festival for over 180 years. While the league the Taters will join is still to be determined, the team's name and colors pay homage to the region's agricultural heritage and the beloved local tradition.

Why it matters

The arrival of the Benton Taters marks a significant development for the small community of Benton and the broader Marshall County region. The new team represents an opportunity to bring professional sports and entertainment to an area that has long celebrated its agricultural roots through the iconic Tater Day festival. The Taters' focus on providing an outdoor, community-oriented alternative to traditional indoor youth activities aligns with the region's values.

The details

The Benton Taters ownership group, led by restaurateur Aaron Clayton, announced the new team's formation at a press conference held at the Joe Creason Community Building. Clayton, who opted to arrive by helicopter rather than driving, stated the team's mission is to 'give kids something to do' in the area beyond typical indoor activities like skating rinks and bowling alleys. The Taters' name pays dual homage to the 182-year-old Tater Day festival and baseball slang for home runs. The team's colors of orange and brown evoke the warm hues of a roasted sweet potato. Ownership has announced a public contest to name the team's mascot, with early frontrunners including 'Rusty the Russet' and 'Chip'. Season tickets for the 2027 inaugural season will go on sale this fall, though the specific league the Taters will join remains undetermined.

  • The Benton Taters will begin play in 2027.
  • Season tickets for the inaugural 2027 season will go on sale this fall.
  • The team's mascot contest is currently underway.

The players

Aaron Clayton

The restaurateur and owner who announced the formation of the Benton Taters minor league baseball team.

H.H. Lovett Park

The historic park in Benton, Kentucky that will serve as the home venue for the Benton Taters.

Tater Day

The 182-year-old annual festival in Benton that celebrates the region's agricultural heritage, particularly the sweet potato.

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What they’re saying

“I wanted to bring baseball to the area to give kids something to do. Everyone always talks about skating rinks and bowling alleys, but I'd rather them be in the fresh air and near the famous hole of Benton.”

— Aaron Clayton, Benton Taters Owner

What’s next

The Benton Taters will continue working to finalize the league they will join for their inaugural 2027 season. The team's mascot contest is currently underway, with a panel of judges set to review submissions from the community.

The takeaway

The arrival of the Benton Taters represents an exciting new chapter for the small town of Benton and the broader Marshall County region. By bringing professional baseball to the area and tying the team's identity to the beloved Tater Day festival, the Taters ownership group is aiming to provide a fresh, community-oriented entertainment option that celebrates the region's agricultural heritage and outdoor lifestyle.