Florence Y’all is more than just a water tower now. It’s a team nickname.

No, they didn’t.

Yes, they did.

Anyone who has driven Interstate 75 through northern Kentucky has encountered the red-and-white water tower emblazoned with the phrase “Florence Y’all.” And many probably know the story behind it.

Now, the cultural landmark is the name of the city’s independent professional baseball team.

The Florence Freedom of the 14-team Frontier League announced Tuesday night they are now the Florence Y’alls.

“Y’all isn’t just a water tower: y’all is a culture, and Florence is its capital,” the team announced on its website Tuesday night.

“In the capital of y’all culture play the Florence Y’alls: the baseball team that’s pure Kentucky,” the statement said. “As the first (going south) and last (going north) professional sports team in the South, it’s our obligation to deliver nostalgic charm with competitive baseball, topped with a Kentucky Twist.

“This is Y’alls Team. GO Y’ALLS!”

The team’s re-branding borrowed from the red and white colors on the tower and the blue sky behind it on a sunny day.

The Florence City Council voted to approve the new name at a meeting on Tuesday, WLWT in Cincinnati reported.

The new nickname resulted from a contest seeking ideas from fans after new ownership took over the club last fall.

The Florence water tower originally was painted in the 1970s with the words “Florence Mall.” The use of the word “Mall” was deemed illegal because corporate sponsorships were not allowed on a city water tower. The city’s mayor ordered the “M” repainted into a “Y.”

Problem solved. Cultural landmark born.

And now, a baseball team to go with it.

This story was originally published January 21, 2020 at 10:00 PM.