The Florence Y'alls are a professional baseball team based in Florence, Kentucky. The Y'alls compete in the National Association of Professional Baseball (NAPB) as a member of the Central Division in the Midwest Conference. The franchise is one of the oldest current running teams of the league. Founded in 1994, the team was known as the Erie Sailors for their first season. For the next four seasons, the team was named the Johnstown Steal, then the Johnstown Johnnies until 2002, as well as the Florence Freedom until 2019.
The Y'alls have had the most playoff berths in all FL franchises based in the United States (11), and are third overall amongst active teams in total Frontier Cup championships, behind the Schaumburg Boomers (4) and Windy City ThunderBolts (3). The Y'alls have played their home games at Thomas More Stadium since the 2004 season.
Between the 2001 and 2011 seasons, the Y'alls missed the playoffs 11 seasons in a row. After that, from 2012 to 2021, they made the playoffs 5 times in 10 seasons.
History The team began in Erie, Pennsylvania, as the Erie Sailors in 1994, before moving to Point Stadium in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in 1995, where it was first known as the Johnstown Steal then the Johnstown Johnnies beginning in 1998. The team won two Frontier League championships in their time in Johnstown, one in 1995 as the Steal and one in 2000 as the Johnnies. The team was sold after the 2002 season and moved to Florence, where it became known as the Freedom. The Freedom played at Foundation Field in Hamilton, Ohio during the 2003 season while their new park was being built in Florence.
In July 2004, shortly after the opening of Champion Window Field, contractors began filing liens against the Freedom, accusing the team of not paying for work done on the stadium. Eventually, 33 liens totaling US$4.7 million were filed. In August, Fifth Third Bank sued team part-owner Chuck Hildebrant for failing to repay multiple loans taken out to finance the stadium construction. As part of the lawsuit, it was revealed that Hildebrant had used of land that he did not own as collateral for the loans, and that he had given the bank a forged document as proof of ownership. Hildebrant was later the subject of a federal white collar crime investigation and sentenced to prison in October 2005. The team was sold in November 2004 to a new ownership group led by Clint Brown, who was not associated with Hildebrant's ownership group.
In 2005, former Chillicothe Paints manager Jamie Keefe was signed as the team's new manager. Keefe led the Freedom to their first winning record (53–42). The team finished tied for second place in the Frontier League's East Division, missing out on the playoffs by a tiebreaker. Three Freedom players hit more than 20 home runs in 2005—outfielder Mike Galloway (24), designated hitter Kyle Geswein (24), and first baseman Trevor Hall (23). Closer Ted Rowe tied for the league lead in saves with 17.
In 2006, the Freedom had a losing record of 38–50, finishing fifth in the Frontier League East Division.
In 2007, the Freedom again had a sub-.500 record, going 42–54 for the season. This placed the team third in the East Division. Outfielder Reggie Watson led the league in batting average (.357) and steals (20), while also winning the Home Run Derby at the 2007 Frontier League All-Star Game, hosted by Florence. Outfielder Ryan Basham earned the Frontier League Rookie of the Year award, hitting .298 with 17 home runs on the season.
In 2007, Champion Window Field, home of the Freedom, hosted its first Frontier League All-Star Game, with the Freedom's East Division winning 11–3. The Freedom's Reggie Watson had three runs batted in and was named the game's Most Valuable Player. The game's attendance of 4,483 set a new attendance record for a Frontier League All-Star Game.
In 2008, the team finished with a 47–49 record, missing a playoff spot by four games. For the first time, the Freedom attracted over 100,000 fans to Champion Window Field, with a total of 106,707 fans for the year.
In early 2008, the Freedom changed their primary colors from red, white, and blue to black, red, and silver.Freedom Introduce New Logo, Colors and Uniforms for 2008 at oursportscentral.com, URL accessed December 31, 2009. Archived 12/31/09
In 2009, the Freedom opened against the Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti at home on May 20.Sliders Spoil Freedom's Opening Day at florencefreedom.com, URL accessed December 31, 2009. Archived 12/31/09 Florence opened 2009 with two major changes—FieldTurf instead of a natural grass surface and a new coaching staff.Freedom Host First Game on New Turf Sunday at oursportscentral.com, URL accessed December 31, 2009. Archived 12/31/09 Toby Rumfield became the new field manager, and Freedom alumni Greg Stone, the Freedom's all-time hit leader, as hitting coach and Bill Browett as pitching coach.New Coaching Staff At Florence at frontierleague.com, URL accessed December 31, 2009. 12/31/09
In 2016, the team introduced their new mascot Y'All Star, an anthropomorphic water tower.
Clint Brown died in January 2018 after 15 years as team president and owner. He was succeeded by his widow, Kim Brown.
Sale of the team to a group of local investors was finalized July 2019. In October 2019, the new owners announced a rebranding of the team for the 2020 season, dropping the name Freedom immediately. The new team name, Florence Y'alls, was announced in January 2020. The team takes its new name from the local Florence Y'all Water Tower.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Frontier League canceled their 2020 season and did not play.
The Y'alls successfully returned to the playoffs in 2021, capturing their fifth division title. However, they lost the first round to the Schaumburg Boomers 3 games to 1.
In March 2022, the Y'alls and Thomas More University partnered to rename the home of the Florence Y'alls Thomas More Stadium. As part of the agreement, the stadium will also become the home of the Thomas More Saints baseball team starting in Spring 2023. The team missed the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
The Y'alls returned to the playoffs in 2026 after missing the playoffs between 2022 and 2025. However, they lost to the Washington Wild Things in the Wild Card Round.
Seasons Erie Sailors (Frontier League) Year W-L PCT Place Postseason19941994 Frontier League at flhistory.com, URL accessed December 31, 2009. Archived 12/31/0942–25.6272nd in FL EastWon 1st Round Playoff vs. Ohio Valley 2–0.Won Frontier League Championship vs. Lancaster Scouts 2–0.Total42–25.627—Playoffs4–01.000—1 Playoff appearance, 1 ChampionshipJohnstown Steal/Johnnies (Frontier League)1995Johnstown Steal / Johnnies at flhistory.com, URL accessed December 31, 2009. Archived 12/31/0946–23.6671st in FLWon 1st Round Playoff vs. Richmond Roosters 2–0.Won Frontier League Championship vs. Zanesville Greys 2–0.199641–33.5542nd in FL EastLost 1st Round Playoff vs. Chillicothe Paints 2–1.199747–33.5881st in FL EastLost 1st Round Playoff vs. Canton Crocodiles 2–0.199834–43.4423rd in FL EastDid not qualify199943–41.5123rd in FL EastLost 1st Round Playoff vs. London Werewolves 2–0.200048–36.5711st in FL EastWon 1st Round Playoff vs. London Werewolves 2–0.Won Frontier League Championship vs. Evansville Otters 3–1.200144–40.5244th in FL EastDid not qualify200230–54.3576th in FL EastDid not qualifyTotal333–303.524——Playoffs8–9.471—3 Division titles, 5 Playoff appearances, 2 ChampionshipsFlorence Freedom/Y'alls (Frontier League)200327–61.3076th in FL EastDid not qualify200431–65.3236th in FL EastDid not qualify200553–42.5583rd in FL EastDid not qualify200638–56.4045th in FL EastDid not qualify200742–54.4383rd in FL EastDid not qualify200847–49.4904th in FL EastDid not qualify200949–47.5103rd in FL EastDid not qualify201038–58.3965th in FL EastDid not qualify201139–57.4066th in FL EastDid not qualify 201257–39.5942nd in FL EastWon 1st Round Playoff vs. Gateway Grizzlies 3–2.Lost Frontier League Championship vs. Southern Illinois Miners 3–1.201353–43.5523rd in FL EastDid not qualify201441–55.4275th in FL East Did not qualify201549–47.5103rd in FL EastLost Frontier League Play-in Game vs. River City Rascals 6–5201646–49.4844th in FL WestDid not qualify201761–35.6351st in FL WestWon 1st Round Playoff vs. Washington Wild Things 3–1.Lost Frontier League Championship vs. Schaumburg Boomers 3–1.201849–47.5103rd in FL WestDid not qualify201957–39.5942nd in FL WestWon 1st Round Playoff vs. Lake Erie Crushers 3–0.Lost Frontier League Championship vs. River City Rascals 3–2.2020 – – –Season not played due to COVID-19202157–38.6001st in FL WestLost 1st Round Playoff vs. Schaumburg Boomers 3–1.202239–56.4117th in FL WestDid not qualify202338–58.3967th in FL WestDid not qualify202444–51.4635th in FL WestDid not qualify202543–53.4483rd in FL WestDid not qualify202655–47.5393rd in FL WestLost Wild Card Round vs. Washington Wild Things 2–1.Total963–1056.478——Playoffs13–13.500—2 Division titles, 5 Playoff appearances
Current roster
Alumni Below is a list of Y'alls alumni who have gone on to play MLB-affiliated baseball. The alumni are sorted by peak level of baseball in which they have participated after playing for Florence. In total, 20 Y'alls alumni have signed professional contracts after playing for Florence, with five making the major leagues.
As of July 3, 2021:
MLB PlayerYear w/ FLOCurrent/Most recent teamActiveChris JakubauskasChris Jakubauskas at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed January 1, 2010. Archived 1/1/102003Columbus Clippers (AAA)NoCorey ThurmanCorey Thurman at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed January 1, 2010. Archived 1/1/102005York Revolution (Ind.)NoSteve Delabar2008Round Rock Express NoStephen Cardullo2012High Point RockersNoAaron Wilkerson2013Oklahoma City DodgersYes
AAA PlayerYear w/ FLOCurrent/Most recent teamActiveDaniel TouchetDaniel Touchet at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed January 1, 2010. Archived 1/1/102005Joliet JackHammers (Ind.)NoMichael DeMarkMichael DeMark at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed January 1, 2010. Archived 1/1/102006Tigres de Quintana RooNo
AA PlayerYear w/ FLOCurrent/Most recent teamActiveElvys QuezadaElvys Quezada at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed January 1, 2010. Archived 1/1/102008Fargo-Moorhead RedHawksNoYosandy IbanezYosandy Ibanez at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed January 1, 2010. Archived 1/1/102008Pittsfield ColonialsNoErold AndrusErold Andrus at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed May 8, 2010. Archived 5/8/102010York RevolutionNo
A-Advanced The following Freedom alumni have advanced as far as Class A-Advanced: Jason Tuttle (Freedom 2003),Jason Tuttle at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed January 1, 2010. Archived 1/1/10 Kevin Rival (2004),Kevin Rival at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed January 1, 2010. Archived 1/1/10 Tim Turner (2004),Tim Turner at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed January 1, 2010. Archived 1/1/10 Mike Galloway (2005),Mike Galloway at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed January 1, 2010. Archived 1/1/10 Heath Castle (2006),Heath Castle at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed January 1, 2010. Archived 1/1/10 Johnny Washington (2008)Johnny Washington at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed January 1, 2010. Archived 1/1/10
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