At one time, fans flocked to see the Texarkana Bears line up against Texas foes.

It’s the hope of the Texarkana Gunslingers top brass and Continental Baseball League officials that a baseball team can generate that same enthusiasm, fan dedication and good business here in town more than five decades after the Bears’ heyday.

With upgrades on the local ballpark and a buzz brewing about the new team in town, plenty of locals also have high hopes about a successful new run for Texarkana baseball.

But after Texarkana’s experience with a hockey team, there’s also ...