Port Smith Aces
City: Port Smith, Carse District, South Georgia
Population: 40,000
Home Field: Preston Park (capacity: 6,000)
A map of
Port Smith.
"Smells like codfish?"
"Oh, it's just John."
....."oh, shut up!"
That is the old running joke.
Those living in Port Smith, located on the Vahsel Cape, on the extreme south-eastern point of the island, are all too familiar with the fish jokes.
The town was formed as a fishing town, supplying the island with a constant supply of
Cod Icefish and
Antarctic Krill (now you know where Grytviken's posh seafood restaurants get their supply). Admittedly, the pollution and general bad smell associated with fish processing has given the town it's unfortunate reputation. But, in recent years, Port Smith has attempted to clean up it's act by diversifying it's economy and clamping down on eyesores from processing plants.
Despite the blue-collar tinge of the city, there is a well-regarded University in town, "ECU", East Carse University. Founded in 2004 as a way to train and prepare locals for jobs outside fishing, it is a point of pride in town. On a side note, ECU is a powerhouse in College Baseball here.
In 2015, Preston Fisheries, the town's largest employer, announced they would bring SGBL baseball to the city, and place it in a "smell free zone" (a selling point which would have no doubt sounded ridiculous in any other town).
When it came to choosing a name, local newspapers were flooded with requests NOT to be named the "Fishermen", "Sailors" or "Fighting Cod". They wanted to stray away from the town's stereotype.... so, a name-the-team contest was announced, and the team was finally named the "Port Smith Aces", with a cartoon flying baseball ("Ace", of course) as their logo and mascot.
Still, all fish jokes aside, Port Smith is a crucial piece of the South Georgia puzzle, and supplies much needed food accross the island.