How long will Tim Tebow be a Firefly?
With the first half and South Atlantic League All-Star game in the books, the Columbia Fireflies begin the second half of the season Thursday against Kannapolis.
Here are five things to watch in the Fireflies’ second half of the season:
1. Will Tebow be a Firefly?
That is the biggest question for the Fireflies headed into the second half of the season. There is a good chance Tebow plays somewhere else, but when that happens isn’t known yet.
Tebow has been a hit at the box office for the Fireflies and the rest of the teams in South Atlantic League.
Tebow’s numbers (. 224 average, 3 HRs, 21 RBI) don’t scream promotion, but given the fact he will turn 30 in August, that might be a big factor in moving him up quicker than normal
Even if Tebow starts the second half in Columbia, it might not be for long. Tebow will eventually need to see how he fares against better pitching in either advanced-A at St. Lucie or with the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies
2. New faces
Whether Tebow is here or not, expect some players to be moved up.
According to reports, pitcher Jordan Humphreys and infielder Michael Paez will be promoted to St. Lucie. Both were all-stars for Columbia.
Humphries led the SAL with 10 wins, while Paez had eight homers and 43 RBI and tied for the South Atlantic League lead with 21 doubles.
Other possible players on the move might be Merandy Gonzlaez, who won nine games and started the SAL All-Star game. South Atlantic All-Star MVP Dash Winningham also might be promoted in the future.
Winningham hit 11 homers and was third in the league with 46 RBI and has been with the Fireflies since last year.
3. Cone looks for big second half
Former Spring Valley and South Carolina standout Gene Cone had a strong first half during his first full year in the minor leagues.
Cone hit .242 with 25 RBI, which was third-best on the Fireflies, and led the SAL in walks with 41. The 22-year-old showed his versatility by playing all three outfield positions and had several highlight reel defensive plays.
Cone should be a part of Columbia’s nucleus along with infielders Luis Carpio and Andres Gimenez and outfielder Desmond Lindsay.
4. Putting people in the seats
Thanks to Tebow’s arrival and a good marketing plan, attendance for Fireflies’ home games is on pace to shatter last season’s mark.
The Fireflies drew 261,134 in their inaugural season.
Through 35 home games, Columbia is second in the South Atlantic League in attendance behind Greensboro by 79 fans per game. The Fireflies drew 182,364 fans, an average of 5,210 per game.
If Tebow isn’t there in second half, attendance might dip but the Fireflies have done a great job of promoting a fan friendly ballpark experience to enjoy.
5. Eclipse Game
One of marquee games in the Fireflies’ second half will be the Aug. 21 Solar Eclipse game against Rome.
The Fireflies will have a 1:05 p.m. start time and will pause the game at 2:41 p.m. when the solar eclipse reaches totality. Fans will receive protective glasses to be able to view the eclipse.
Tickets already have been sold to people from outside of South Carolina.
This story was originally published June 21, 2017 at 10:34 PM with the headline "How long will Tim Tebow be a Firefly?."