Macon Bacon announces new ownership group, lease extension at Luther Williams Field

The Macon Bacon, Macon's Coastal Plain League collegiate summer baseball team, announced a new ownership group at a news conference at Luther Williams Field on Tuesday.

August 20, 2024

Tucker Sargent,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Macon Bacon, Macon’s Coastal Plain League (CPL) collegiate summer baseball team, announced a new ownership group at a news conference at Luther Williams Field on Tuesday and also confirmed the team’s presence in the city for years to come.

Team president Brandon Raphael said the new ownership group includes Dan Erthal, Ron Shipman and Jonathan Pitts.

Raphael, who will remain as team president and will serve as manager of the new ownership group, thanked previous owner Steve DeLay for bringing the Bacon to Macon and also thanked Macon-Bibb County for its support. Raphael told fans they can expect the same great baseball and entertainment they’ve experienced over the last seven seasons.

The new ownership group comes as the team is in year seven of its initial 10-year lease at Luther Williams Field signed in 2018. Macon-Bibb County Commissioners recently voted in favor of extending the lease for up to 10 additional years.

“That means you will see the Bacon continue playing here for up to 13 more years secured through 2037,” Raphael said.

Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller thanked the new ownership group for “stepping up to the plate.” He also made a witty remark: “It’s a sizzling day to be here. No pun intended. Just like the Bacon, we’re always sizzling.”

DeLay announced last year he was selling the Macon Bacon and Florence Flamingos.

“Macon and Florence are now successful franchises, built on solid fundamentals, great cities and staffs that are led by strong Presidents,” he wrote in a November 2023 post on his LinkedIn page. “They are poised to continue to grow. But, it’s time to do something new, and as always I am not opposed to going outside the box to achieve the right objective.”