The franchise, known as the Lynchburg Hillcats since 1995, planned to rebrand after the 2016 season.[1] However, when put to a fan vote for a new moniker with "Derechos", "Doves", "Lamb Chops", "Love Apples", and "River Runners" as options, a majority of fans voted to retain the Hillcats name.[2] The team opted instead for new logos and a different color scheme, consisting of seven hills green, Blue Ridge blue, and midnight blue, for the 2017 season.[3]
In conjunction withMajor League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Hillcats were organized into the Low-A East at the Low-A classification.[4] In 2022, the Low-A East became known as the Carolina League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization, and was reclassified as a Single-A circuit.[5]
Lynchburg Baseball Corp. sold the team toElmore Sports Group in 2015.[6] In 2024, Dylan Narang purchased the Hillcats from Elmore Sports Group.[7] The team rebranded as the "Hill City Howlers" on February 13, 2026.[8]
1963 South Atlantic League 2nd-Half Champions, White Sox lose to Augusta, 2–3.
1964Southern League Champions, No playoffs.
1973Carolina League 1st-Half Champions, Twins lose to Winston-Salem, 2–3.
1977 Carolina League 1st-Half Champions, Mets lose to Peninsula, 2–3.
1978Carolina League Champions, Mets over Peninsula, 3–0.
1982 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Champions, Mets lose to Alexandria in one-game Divisional playoff.
1983Carolina League Champions, Mets sweep Northern Division and win over Winston-Salem, 3–0.
1984Carolina League Champions, Mets sweep Northern Division and win over Durham, 3–1.
1985 Carolina League Northern Division Champions, Mets sweep Division lose to Winston-Salem, 1–3.
1988 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Champions, Red Sox over Salem, 2–1, in playoffs, lose to Kinston, 2–3, in Championship.
1989 Carolina League 1st-Half Northern Division Champions, Red Sox lose to Prince William, 1–2, in playoffs.
1991 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Champions, Red Sox over Prince William, 2–0, in playoffs, lose to Kinston, 0–3, in Championship.
1992 Carolina League Northern Division Champions, Red Sox sweep Division lose to Peninsula, 2–3, in Championship.
1997Carolina League Champions, Hillcats win 2nd-Half Northern Division, over Frederick, 2–0, in playoffs, over Kinston, 3–1, in Championship.
2000 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats over Frederick, 2–0, in playoffs, lose to Myrtle Beach, 0–3, in Championship.
2002Carolina League Champions, Hillcats win Northern Division Wildcard, over Wilmington, 2–1, in playoffs, over Kinston, 3–1, in Championship.
2003 Carolina League 1st-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats over Wilmington, 2–0, in playoffs, lose to Winston-Salem, 0–3, in Championship.
2005 Carolina League 1st-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats lose to Frederick, 0–2, in playoffs.
2009Carolina League Champions, 1st-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats over Wilmington, 3–2, in playoffs, over Salem, 3–0, in Championship.
2012Carolina League Champions, 1st-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats over Wilmington, 2–1, in playoffs, over Winston-Salem, 3–1, in Championship.
2013 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Wild Card, Hillcats lose to Potomac, 0–2, in playoffs.
2014 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Wild Card, Hillcats lose to Potomac, 0–2, in playoffs.
2015 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats lose to Wilmington, 2–0, in playoffs.
2016 Carolina League 1st-Half & 2nd-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats over Potomac, 2–1, in playoffs, lose to Myrtle Beach, 3–1, in Championship.
2017Carolina League Champions, Hillcats over Frederick in playoffs, 2–1, declared co-champions with Down East as a result of the playoffs being called off because ofHurricane Irma.[9]
2025Carolina League Champions, Hillcats overColumbia Fireflies in Championship Series, 2–1.[10]
Established in1894 Former names (all in Cleveland unless noted) -Grand Rapids Rustlers,Lake Shores,Bluebirds,Bronchos,Naps,Indians Based inCleveland, Ohio
