wiki143 - User contributions [en]

Gateway Grizzlies

2025-06-26T03:57:25Z

209.15.167.91:

{{Short description|Frontier League baseball team in Sauget, Illinois}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox baseball team
|name = Gateway Grizzlies
|founded = 2001
|city = [[Sauget, Illinois]]
|ballpark = [[Grizzlies Ballpark|Arsenal BG Ballpark]]
|logo = Gateway Grizzlies.png
|cap_logo = Gateway cap.PNG
|league = [[Frontier League]]
|former_leagues =
|former_names =
|nicknames =
|uniform =
|retired_numbers =
|colors = Orange, navy blue, white {{color box|#CF7518}} {{color box|#003263}} {{color box|white}}
|former_ballparks =
|league_champs = 1 (2003)
|division_champs = 4 (2003, 2007, 2012, 2023)
|berths = {{flatlist|
;7
:2003
:2004
:2007
:2008
:2012
:2023
:2024
}}
|owner = Richard "Rich" Sauget
| general_manager = Kurt Ringkamp
|manager = Steve Brook
|media = ''[[Belleville News-Democrat]]'', HomeTeam Network
|website = {{URL|gatewaygrizzlies.com}}
}}

The '''Gateway Grizzlies''' are a professional [[baseball]] team based in [[Sauget, Illinois]]. The Grizzlies compete in the [[Frontier League]] (FL) as a member of the West Division in the Midwest Conference. The franchise was founded in 2001 and they play their home games at the 6,000-seat [[Grizzlies Ballpark|Arsenal BG Ballpark]], just 8 miles southeast of [[Downtown St. Louis]]. Some of the defining features of the stadium include lawn seats, bleacher seats, box seating, party suites, a hot tub suite, and more.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gateway Grizzlies |url=https://www.gatewaygrizzlies.com/sports/bsb/2013-14/BallparkInformation |language=en}}</ref>

The Grizzlies won the Frontier Cup in 2003, defeating the [[Evansville Otters]] 3 games to 0.

The team have a rivalry with the [[Schaumburg Boomers]], with whom they have shared a division since 2012.

==Season-by-season record==
{|class="wikitable"
! colspan="6" align="center" |Gateway Grizzlies ([[Frontier League]])
|-
! Year !! W–L !! Win %!! Place !! Postseason
!Manager
|-
|2001||37–44||.457||5th in FL West||Did not qualify
|[[Champ Summers]]
|-
|2002||34–50||.405||5th in FL West||Did not qualify
|Rich Sauget
|-
|2003||50–38||.554||bgcolor="FFEBAD"|1st in FL West||'''Won 1st Rd. Playoff''' vs. [[Washington Wild Things]] 2–0. '''Won Frontier League Championship''' vs. [[Evansville Otters]] 3–0.
|[[Danny Cox (baseball)|Danny Cox]]
|-
|2004||56–38||.588||2nd in FL West||Lost 1st Rd. Playoff vs. [[Rockford Riverhawks]] 3–2.
|[[Danny Cox (baseball)|Danny Cox]]
|-
|2005||49–47||.442||3rd in FL West||Did not qualify
|[[Danny Cox (baseball)|Danny Cox]]
|-
|2006||42–52||.512||3rd in FL West||Did not qualify
|[[Danny Cox (baseball)|Danny Cox]]
|-
|2007||64–29||.688||bgcolor="FFEBAD"|1st in FL West||Lost 1st Rd. Playoff vs. [[Washington Wild Things]] 3–0.
|Phil Warren
|-
|2008||51–45||.531||3rd in FL West||Lost 1st Rd. Playoff vs. [[Kalamazoo Kings]] 3–1.
|Phil Warren
|-
|2009||40–54||.426||5th in FL West||Did not qualify
|Phil Warren
|-
|2010||54–40||.574||3rd in FL West||Did not qualify
|Phil Warren
|-
|2011||39–56||.411||4th in FL West||Did not qualify
|Phil Warren
|-
|2012||57–39||.594||bgcolor="FFEBAD"|1st in FL West||Lost 1st Rd. Playoff vs. [[Florence Freedom]] 3–2.
|Phil Warren
|-
|2013||53–43||.552||2nd in FL West||Did not qualify
|Phil Warren
|-
|2014||50–46||.521||3rd in FL West||Did not qualify
|Phil Warren
|-
|2015||45–50||.474||4th in FL West||Did not qualify
|Phil Warren
|-
|2016||44–51||.463||6th in FL West||Did not qualify
|Phil Warren
|-
|2017||32–64||.333||6th in FL West||Did not qualify
|Phil Warren
|-
|2018||38–58||.396||6th in FL West||Did not qualify
|Phil Warren
|-
|2019||39-57||.406||5th in FL West||Did not qualify
|Phil Warren
|-
|2020||--||--||--||Season cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic.
| --
|-
|2021||38-57||.400||4th in FL West||Did not qualify
|Cameron Roth
|-
|[[2022 Frontier League season|2022]]||47-49||.490||6th in FL West||Did not qualify
|Steve Brook
|-
|2023||59-37||.615||bgcolor="FFEBAD"|1st in FL West|| Lost 1st Rd. Playoff vs. [[Evansville Otters]] 2-1
|Steve Brook
|-
|2024||59-36||.621||2nd in FL West|| Lost East Division Wild Card Game to [[Lake Erie Crushers]] 10-8
|Steve Brook
|-
!Totals!!910–864!!.497!!—!!—
!—
|-
!Playoffs!!10–12!!.454!!—!!3 Division titles, 5 Playoff appearances, 1 championship
!—
|}

==Current roster==
{{IndyLB roster
| league = Frontier League
| TeamName = Gateway Grizzlies
| BC1 = #003263
| FC1 = white
| BC2 = #CF7518
| FC2 = #003263
| Date = May 4, 2025
| Pitchers =
{{MLBplayer|--|Donovan Burke}}
{{MLBplayer|21|Keegan Collett}}
{{MLBplayer|28|Teague Conrad}}
{{MLBplayer|--|[[Sam Coonrod]]}}
{{MLBplayer|11|Tyler Cornett}}
{{MLBplayer|32|Alvery De Los Santos}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Claudio Galva}}
{{MLBplayer| 8|Matt Hickey}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Francis Peguero}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Sam Rochard}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Zac Treece}}
{{MLBplayer|15|Gage Vailes}}
{{MLBplayer|14|Lukas Veinbergs}}
{{MLBplayer|23|Alec Whaley}}

| Catchers =
{{MLBplayer| 9|Jose Alvarez}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Tanner Garrison}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Allante Hall}}

| Infielders =
{{MLBplayer|--|Ross Friedrick}}
{{MLBplayer| 2|Gabe Holt}}
{{MLBplayer|12|DJ Stewart}}
{{MLBplayer|18|Dale Thomas}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Paxton Wallace}}
{{MLBplayer|10|Tate Wargo}}

| Outfielders =
{{MLBplayer| 5|Cole Brannen}}
{{MLBplayer|20|Victor Castillo}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Calyn Halvorson}}
{{MLBplayer| 3|Edwin Mateo}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Mark Shallenberger}}

| Utility =

| Manager =
{{MLBplayer|13|Steve Brook}}

| Coaches =
{{MLBplayer|38|Alex Ferguson}} (bench)
{{MLBplayer| 4|Kyle Gaedele}} (hitting)
{{MLBplayer|17|Nick Kennedy}} (pitching)
}}

== "Baseball's Best Burger" ==
The team offers their own version of the [[Luther burger]] named "Baseball's Best Burger". Featured on [[ESPN]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 10, 2006 |title=Illinois team counts on calories to draw attention |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2362369 |access-date=April 11, 2022 |website=ESPN}}</ref> [[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]],<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=April 24, 2015 |title=The 11 craziest foods sold at ballparks this year |url=https://fortune.com/2015/04/24/mlb-ballpark-craziest-foods/ |access-date=April 11, 2022 |website=Fortune}}</ref> and [[Man v. Food]], the 1,000 calorie burger uses a deep-fried doughnut in place of a traditional bun.

== Broadcasting ==
Grizzlies games are currently broadcast on Mixlr, and can be watched live on [[FloSports]] with a subscription. The team's current director of Broadcasting and Media Relations is Jason Guerette.

==Notable alumni==
* [[Scott Patterson (baseball)|Scott Patterson]] (2002–2005), a retired pitcher, had his contract purchased by the [[New York Yankees]] in 2006. Patterson was called up to the majors for one game in 2008 before being sent back down, and was claimed three months later by the [[San Diego Padres]]. Following that year, he played for 8 more seasons between various minor league and international teams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scott Patterson Stats {{!}} Baseball-Reference.com |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pattesc01.shtml |access-date=April 11, 2022 |website=Baseball Reference}}</ref> As a member of the 2011 [[United States]] National Baseball Team at the [[Pan American Games]], Patterson won a silver medal.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}} He later retired in 2016.
* [[Justin Erasmus]] (2013), pitcher, played in the [[Boston Red Sox]] organization and in the [[Australian Baseball League]] before joining the Grizzlies for the 2013 season. He went back to the [[Australian Baseball League|AUBL]] afterwards, and is currently on the [[Canberra Cavalry]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Justin Erasmus Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History {{!}} Baseball-Reference.com |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=erasmu001jus |access-date=April 11, 2022 |website=Baseball Reference}}</ref> Erasmus was a member of the 2009 [[South Africa]] roster and the 2017 [[Australia]] roster in the [[World Baseball Classic]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2009 World Baseball Classic - Provisional Roster |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/2009classicprovrosters.pdf |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=April 11, 2022 |website=MLB.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Randhawa |first=Manny |date=January 14, 2017 |title=WBC 2017 preview: Breaking down Australia |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/world-baseball-classic-preview-team-australia-c213549596 |access-date=April 11, 2022 |website=MLB.com}}</ref>
* [[Trevor Richards (baseball)|Trevor Richards]] (2015–2016), pitcher, was signed by the [[Miami Marlins]] in 2016, and called up to the majors in 2018. He has since pitched for the [[Tampa Bay Rays]] and [[Milwaukee Brewers]], and is currently on the [[Toronto Blue Jays]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trevor Richards Stats {{!}} Baseball-Reference.com |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/richatr01.shtml |access-date=April 11, 2022 |website=Baseball Reference}}</ref>
* [[Josh Lucas (baseball)|Josh Lucas]] (2023), former major league pitcher who played with the [[St. Louis Cardinals]], [[Oakland Athletics]], and [[Baltimore Orioles]] from 2017 to 2019. Signed with the Grizzlies for the 2023 season where he made 21 appearances for the Grizzlies, recording a 2.84 ERA with 43 strikeouts and 4 [[save (baseball)|saves]] across {{fraction|31|2|3}} innings pitched.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{official website|https://www.gatewaygrizzlies.com/}}
* [https://www.flobaseball.tv/teams/7494100-gateway-grizzlies?view=live-and-upcoming&rtid=&coverage_id= FloSports streaming]

{{Frontier League}}
{{Illinois Sports}}

[[Category:Sports in the Metro East]]
[[Category:Frontier League teams]]
[[Category:Baseball teams established in 2001]]
[[Category:Professional baseball teams in Illinois]]
[[Category:2001 establishments in Illinois]]

Windy City ThunderBolts

2025-06-26T03:08:56Z

209.15.167.91: Correcting an error

{{Short description|Frontier League baseball team in Illinois, United States}}
{{Infobox baseball team
|name = Windy City ThunderBolts
|founded = [[1995 in baseball|1995]]
|city = [[Crestwood, Illinois]]
|ballpark = [[Ozinga Field]] (1999–present)
|logo = WCthunderbolts.PNG
|cap_logo = Thunderbolts2.PNG
|league = [[Frontier League]] (1999–present)
|former_leagues = {{plainlist|
* Heartland League (1996–1998)
* North Central League (1995)
}}
|former_names = {{plainlist|
* Cook County Cheetahs (1997–2003)
* Will County Cheetahs (1996–1997)
* Will County Claws (1995)
}}
|uniform =
|colors = Blue, white, black {{color box|#2560BD}} {{color box|white}} {{color box|black}}
|former_ballparks =[[Brennan Field]] (1995–1997) [[Howie Minas Field]] (1998)
|league_champs = 3 (1998, 2007, 2008)
|division_champs = 3 (2007, 2008, 2010)
|berths = {{flatlist|
;5
:1998
:2007
:2008
:2009
:2010
}}
|owner = Franchise Sports LLC
| general_manager = Mike VerSchave
|manager = [[Bobby Jenks]]
|media = [[Daily Southtown]] [[WXAV]] HomeTeam Network
|website = {{URL|https://www.wcthunderbolts.com}}
}}

The '''Windy City ThunderBolts''' are a professional [[baseball]] team based in [[Crestwood, Illinois]]. The ThunderBolts compete in the [[Frontier League]] (FL) as a member of the West Division in the Midwest Conference. The team is owned by Franchise Sports LLC, playing its home games at [[Ozinga Field]].

The franchise was established as the '''Will County Claws''' on February 21, 1994, and began play in the 1995 season. Franchise Sports LLC then bought the team in May 1998, and relocated the team to Windy City prior to the 1999 season, making them the first baseball franchise to play at Ozinga Field. The team was renamed the ThunderBolts in 2003.

==History==
The franchise known as the Windy City ThunderBolts started as the Will County Claws in 1995 and played their home games at [[Lewis University]]'s Brennan Field in [[Romeoville, Illinois|Romeoville]]. The Claws played in the struggling [[North Central League]], which started in 1994 with six teams but fielded only four in 1995. The North Central League folded 18 games into its second season with the Claws finishing at 8–10. In 1996, the Will County Cheetahs joined the new four-team Heartland League.

In winter 1997, the Cheetahs and the village of [[Crestwood, Illinois|Crestwood]], made a deal for Crestwood to build and own a new ballpark for the Cheetahs. The Cheetahs needed a home field and with Romeoville not an option, neighboring [[Midlothian, Illinois|Midlothian]] would be the solution to the Cheetahs' home field problem as they would play their 1998 season at tiny Howie Minas Field. In Midlothian, the Cheetahs would have one of their best seasons finishing in second place with a 37–29 record in the first half and earn a playoff spot for the first time in franchise history. In the Heartland League championship, the Cheetahs swept the heavily favored [[Tennessee Tomahawks]] 2 games to 0 to gain the franchise's first title.

The Heartland League started the 1998 season with six teams and finished with only four teams. The Cheetahs, now known as the Cook County Cheetahs, won the last ever Heartland League championship as the league folded after three seasons.

In 1999, the Cheetahs joined the stable [[Frontier League]] and have been members since. The team changed their name to the Windy City ThunderBolts. An ownership change instigated the name change. The ThunderBolts mascot "Boomer" was born May 21, 2004.

On August 26, 2007, the ThunderBolts won their first Central Division title. On September 17, 2007, they defeated the [[Washington Wild Things]] to win the Frontier League championship, three games to two. In 2008, they repeated a division title as the West Division champions and Frontier League champions, defeating the [[Kalamazoo Kings]] three games to none in the championship series. After heavy rains flooded [[Homer Stryker Field]], the entire 2008 championship series was played at the Thunderbolts' [[Standard Bank Stadium]]. They thus became only the second Frontier League team to win back-to-back titles, joining the 2001–02 [[Richmond Roosters]].

The ThunderBolts currently play at Ozinga Field (which was renamed from Standard Bank Stadium in 2018) which is located in Crestwood, Illinois. Ozinga Field is easily accessible from the south suburbs, located two blocks east of Cicero Avenue on the Midlothian Turnpike (1.5 miles south of I-294).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wcthunderbolts.com/team/about-us/ |title=About Us |website=The Official Site Of The WC Thunderbolts |access-date=2019-10-21}}</ref>

On April 23, 2019, assistant general manager Mike VerSchave was named general manager. Having served as assistant general manager since 2014, VerSchave replaced former general manager Mike Lucas.

The club celebrated its 20th anniversary on the weekend of June 1–2, 2019. The team wore Cheetahs uniforms as a part of the celebrations.

On October 27, 2023, Former White Sox Closer and 2005 World Series Champion, Bobby Jenks, was named Field Manager. Jenks enthusiastically stated, "I believe I can do that and my track record has shown that I can do that".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Ryan |title=Former White Sox closer named manager of the minor league Windy City Thunderbolts |url=https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/mlb/chicago-white-sox/white-sox-news/bobby-jenks-named-manager-of-the-minor-league-windy-city-thunderbolts/515008 |access-date=November 22, 2023 |work=NBC Sports Chicago |date=October 27, 2023}}</ref>

==Players==

[[File:Dylan Axelrod 2012.jpg|thumb|180px|[[Dylan Axelrod]]]]

The [[San Diego Padres]] bought the rights to Cheetahs pitcher [[Chris Oxspring]] in 2000. He became the first player in franchise history to play in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB). He played in five games for the Padres in 2005.

In 2011, [[Dylan Axelrod]] became the first former ThunderBolt and second player in franchise history to play in MLB, having been called up by the [[Chicago White Sox]].

On August 5, 2008, Isaac Hess threw the first [[no-hitter]] in ThunderBolts history. Tyson Corley threw the second on August 28, 2012.

Pitcher [[Andrew Werner]] became the third player in club history to make it to the majors when he started for the San Diego Padres in 2012.

Former major leaguer [[Josh Spence]] played with the ThunderBolts in 2014.

[[Tommy Nance]] played with Windy City in 2015. He later went on to be the fourth ThunderBolt alumnus to reach the Major Leagues when he debuted with the [[Chicago Cubs]] in 2021.

All 30 Major League Baseball teams have signed players out of the Frontier League. As of January 2023, the Cubs, Marlins, A's, Twins, Rays, Pirates, Blue Jays, Rangers, Padres and White Sox currently have former ThunderBolts' players or coaches in their organizations. There are a total of 50 players who have reached the Major Leagues after playing in the Frontier League.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alumni |url=https://frontierleague.com/information/Alumni |website=Frontier League |access-date=20 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

==Season-by-season record==
{|class="wikitable"
! Year !! W–L !! W% !! Place !! Postseason
|-
! colspan="5" align="center"|Will County Claws (North Central League)
|-
|1995||8–10||.444||3rd||Did not qualify
|-
! colspan="5" align="center"|Will County Cheetahs (Heartland League)
|-
|1996||28–31||.475||3rd||Did not qualify
|-
|1997||31–39||.442||3rd||Did not qualify
|-
! colspan="5" align="center"|Cook County Cheetahs (Heartland League)
|-
|1998||37–29||.560||2nd||Heartland League Championship Series: Defeated the Tennessee Tomahawks 2–0.
|-
! colspan="5" align="center"|Cook County Cheetahs ([[Frontier League]])
|-
|1999||41–43||.488||3rd in FL West||Did not qualify
|-
|2000||38–46||.452||3rd in FL West||Did not qualify
|-
|2001||28–53||.346||6th in FL West||Did not qualify
|-
|2002||40–44||.476||3rd in FL West||Did not qualify
|-
|2003||42–48||.467||5th in FL West||Did not qualify
|-
! colspan="5" align="center"|Windy City Thunderbolts ([[Frontier League]])
|-
|2004||37–57||.394||5th in FL West||Did not qualify
|-
|2005||39–57||.406||5th in FL West||Did not qualify
|-
|2006||41–54||.427||4th in FL West||Did not qualify
|-
|2007||68–28||.708||1st in FL Central||Frontier League Division Series: Defeated the [[Rockford Riverhawks]] 3–0. Frontier League Championship Series: Defeated the [[Washington Wild Things]] 3–2.
|-
|2008||60–36||.625||1st in FL West||Frontier League Division Series: Defeated the [[Southern Illinois Miners]] 3–1. Frontier League Championship Series: Defeated the [[Kalamazoo Kings]] 3–0.
|-
|2009||56–40||.583|| 2nd in FL West||Frontier League Division Series: Lost vs. [[River City Rascals]] 3–0.
|-
|2010||56–38||.596||1st in FL East||Frontier League Division Series: Lost vs. [[Traverse City Beach Bums]] 3–1.
|-
|2011||48–48||.500||4th in FL East||Did not qualify
|-
|2012||54–42||.563||2nd in FL West||Did not qualify
|-
|2013||50–46||.521||3rd in FL West||Did not qualify
|-
|2014||35–60||.368||7th in FL West||Did not qualify
|-
|2015||41–55||.427||6th in FL West||Did not qualify
|-
|2016||42–53||.442||5th in FL East||Did not qualify
|-
|2017||51–45||.531||3rd in FL East||Did not qualify
|-
|2018||41–54||.432||6th in FL East||Did not qualify
|-
|2019||42–54||.438||3rd in FL East||Did not qualify
|-
|2020||--||--||--||Season not played due to [[COVID-19]]
|-
|2021||43–53||.448||3rd in FL Central||Did not qualify
|-
|[[2022 Frontier League season|2022]]||33–62||.347||8th in FL West||Did not qualify
|-
|[[2023 Frontier League season|2023]] ||43–52||.453||6th in FL West||Did not qualify
|-
|[[2024 Frontier League season|2024]] ||40–56 ||.417 ||7th in FL West || Did not qualify
|-
!Total!!1085–1174!!.480!!—!!
|-
!Playoffs!!15–8!!.652!!—!!3 Division titles, 5 Playoff appearances, 3 Championships
|}

==Current roster==
{{IndyLB roster
| league = Frontier League
| TeamName = Windy City ThunderBolts
| BC1 = #2560BD
| FC1 = white
| BC2 = black
| FC2 = white
| Date = May 4, 2025
| Pitchers =
{{MLBplayer|22|Dan Brown}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Maceo Campbell}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Greg Duncan}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Aaron Evers}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Jordan Goldmann}}
{{MLBplayer| 8|Bryce Hellgeth}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Heath Mann}}
{{MLBplayer|24|Jacob Newman}}
{{MLBplayer|42|Kevin Pindel}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Trevin Reynolds}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Caleb Riedel}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Jeff Rotz}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Dylan Savino}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Noah Stants}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Bobby Vath}}

| Catchers =
{{MLBplayer|--|Zach Beadle}}
{{MLBplayer| 6|JJ Figueroa}}
{{MLBplayer|31|Kyle Harbison}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Tyler Hill}}

| Infielders =
{{MLBplayer|12|Garrett Broussard}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Jose Curpa}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Winder Diaz}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Jalen Greer}}
{{MLBplayer|14|Christian Kuzemka}}
{{MLBplayer|--|David Maberry}}
{{MLBplayer|18|Emmanuel Sanchez}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Donivan Williams}}

| Outfielders =
{{MLBplayer|--|Ashton Creal}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Ronny Dominguez}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Kendal Ewell}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Dakota Kotowski}}
{{MLBplayer| 4|Cam Phelts}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Michael Sandle}}
{{MLBplayer|--|Oscar Serratos}}

| DH =

| Utility =

| Manager =
{{MLBplayer|45|[[Bobby Jenks]]}}

| Coaches =
{{MLBplayer|--|[[Toby Hall]]}}(bench)
{{MLBplayer|--|Kevin Santiago}}(hitting)

}}

==Notable alumni==
* [[Chris Oxspring]] (2000)
* [[Ben Diggins]] (2006)
* [[Josh Lowey]] (2008)
* [[Billy Petrick]] (2009)
* [[Dylan Axelrod]] (2009)
* [[Ryan Bollinger]] (2010)
* [[Andrew Werner]] (2010)
* [[Markus Solbach]] (2013–2014)
* [[Josh Spence]] (2014)
* [[Tommy Nance]] (2015)
* [[Adam Oller]] (2019)
* [[Bren Spillane]] (2022–2023)

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{official website|https://www.wcthunderbolts.com}}
* [http://www.oursportscentral.com/sports/?t_id=539 ThunderBolts page at OurSports Central]

{{Frontier League}}
{{Chicagosports}}
{{Illinois Sports}}

[[Category:1995 establishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:Baseball teams in Chicago]]
[[Category:Sports in Cook County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Frontier League teams]]
[[Category:Professional baseball teams in Illinois]]
[[Category:Baseball teams established in 1995]]

Duly Health and Care Field

2025-06-25T21:08:55Z

209.15.167.91: Source

{{short description|Minor league baseball stadium in Joliet, Illinois}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = Slammers Stadium
| nickname =
| image = Duly Health and Care Field (June 2023).jpg
| image_size = 260px
| caption = Ballpark entrance, viewed from street level (June 2023)
| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=250|zoom=10|type=point}}
| pushpin_map = USA Illinois#USA
| pushpin_relief = yes
| fullname =
| former_names = Silver Cross Field (2002–2017) Joliet Route 66 Stadium (2017–2019) DuPage Medical Group Field (2019–2022) Duly Health and Care Field (2022–2025)
| address = One Mayor Art Schultz Drive
| city = [[Joliet, Illinois]]
| country = United States
| location =
| coordinates = {{coord|41|31|32.56|N|88|4|40.44|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|display=inline,title}}
| publictransit = {{rint|Chicago|HC}}{{rint|Chicago|RI}} {{rint|US|Amtrak}} at [[Joliet Gateway Center]]
| owner = City of Joliet
| operator = [[Joliet Slammers]]
| capacity = 6,740 (2002–2007) 6,016 (2007–present)
| record_attendance =
| dimensions = '''Left Field:''' {{convert|348|ft|m|abbr=on}} '''Center Field:''' {{convert|400|ft|m|abbr=on}} '''Right Field:''' {{convert|327|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| surface = Artificial Turf
| broke_ground = March 7, 2001
| opened = {{Start date|2002|06|06}} 
| renovated = 2018
| cost = [[United States dollar|US$]]27 million
| architect = Sink Combs Dethlefs
| tenants = [[Joliet Jackhammers]] ([[Northern League (baseball, 1993–2010)|NoL]]) 2002–2010 [[Joliet Slammers]] ([[Frontier League|FL]]) 2011–present [[Steel City FC (Illinois)|Steel City FC]] ([[Midwest Premier League|MWPL]]) 2021–present
| website = 
}}

'''Slammers Stadium''' is a [[Ballpark|baseball stadium]] located in [[Joliet, Illinois]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Slammers Stadium – Joliet Slammers Pro Baseball |url=https://jolietslammers.com/slammers-stadium/ |access-date=2025-06-25 |website=jolietslammers.com}}</ref> The stadium was built in 2002 and holds 6,016 seats.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Duly Health and Care Field, Joliet, Ill. |url=https://www.charliesballparks.com/st/IL-Joliet-SilverCross.htm |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=www.charliesballparks.com}}</ref> It is the home of the [[Joliet Slammers]] of the [[Frontier League]] (FL).

==Stadium==

Slammers Stadium has two levels; the main level and a second level of suites. The main seating area runs from first to third base and there are about 20 rows. There is a general admission lawn area. There are no outfield seats, but there is a large picnic pavilion area beyond the left field wall. There is a concourse that goes completely around the field, but the concourse in right field is behind the fence and one cannot see the field from this area. After installation of artificial turf, the left field fence moved back {{convert|18|ft|m}} to a distance of {{convert|348|ft|m}}. This was one of the main adjustments made in the facility's US$1.6 million 2018 improvement plan, along with mostly repairs to stadium infrastructure. Since the 2018 renovations, there has only been one soccer tournament held and no lacrosse matches to date. Joliet Slammers Vice President of Marketing and Sales John Wilson has stated that the reason for lack of expanded sporting use is the high demand for baseball to be played on the field.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hasman |first=Eric |date=August 12, 2018 |url=https://stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/silver-cross-field-s234 |title=DuPage Medical Group Field - Joliet Slammers |work=Stadium Journey}}</ref>

The ballpark's original name was Silver Cross Field, with the naming rights belonging to [[Silver Cross Hospital]]. In November 2017, the City of Joliet announced their plan for rename the facility Joliet Route 66 Stadium, which included a new facade showcasing the area's automotive history centered around [[U.S. Route 66]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Bob |last=Okon |title=Joliet gives stadium a new name |work=[[The Herald-News]] |url=https://www.shawlocal.com/2017/11/07/joliet-gives-stadium-a-new-name/a8zd2ov/ |date=November 7, 2017 |access-date=November 8, 2017}}</ref> In May 2022, the ballpark was renamed to '''Duly Health and Care Field''', reflecting name change of DuPage Medical Group to Duly Health and Care in September 2021. The name was then changed to '''Slammers Stadium''' in 2025.<ref>{{cite news |first=Bob |last=Okon |title=Joliet Slammers' stadium gets new name |work=[[The Herald-News]] |url=https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/news/local/2022/02/23/joliet-slammers-stadium-gets-new-name/ |date=February 23, 2022 |access-date=May 25, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Slammers Stadium – Joliet Slammers Pro Baseball |url=https://jolietslammers.com/slammers-stadium/ |access-date=2025-06-25 |website=jolietslammers.com}}</ref>

==Ownership==
The city of Joliet owns the land and stadium. The city splits the naming rights revenue with the Joliet Slammers.<ref>{{cite news |last=Okon |first=Bob |date=December 4, 2019 |url=https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/12/03/joliet-gets-51-000-from-stadium-naming-rights-deal/a4dysky/ |title=Joliet gets $51,000 from stadium naming rights deal |work=[[The Herald-News]]}}</ref>

==Events==

Slammers Stadium also is the host to the [[University of St. Francis]] baseball team as well as local high school baseball games and competitions. It is the site of the annual 3A and 4A IHSA State Final Baseball Tournament that happens every summer. The Joliet Slammers, being the primary tenant, rent out the field to any teams that would like to play in a professional stadium. The facility also hosts several youth baseball leagues in the area as well certain special events, such as the annual Joliet Police Department vs. Joliet Fire Department rivalry nicknamed "Guns and Hoses".

The facility was slated to play host to a rock concert named the Joliet Slammers Fest on August 10, 2019, but plans fell through when concerns about damaging the newly-installed artificial turf arose. Bands such as [[Everclear (band)|Everclear]], [[Bowling for Soup]], and [[Alien Ant Farm]], among others, were slated to perform at what was supposed to be the first concert ever held at the stadium. Joliet Slammers management has remained verbally open to the possibility of hosting concert events in the future if proper safety measures can be taken to protect the turf surface. The facility also hosted a wedding in the summer of 2019. Joliet Slammers Director of Tournaments and Special Events Cori Herbert said he estimates that about 425 events were held at DuPage Medical Group Field in 2019 alone.<ref>{{cite news |last=Okon |first=Bob |date=August 13, 2019 |url=https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/08/13/slammers-get-more-use-out-of-joliet-stadium/arit9cs/ |title=Slammers get more use out of Joliet Stadium |work=[[The Herald-News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Okon |first=Bob |date=July 30, 2019 |url=https://www.theherald-news.com/2019/07/30/slammers-fest-moved-to-tinley-park/ajlffsb/ |title=Slammers Fest moved to Tinley Park |work=[[The Herald-News]]}}</ref> This field also hosts the SWILA leagues championship games, which is an in house league, based in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. The most recent summer champion is the New Lenox Rebels Black. The most recent fall championship is Whiteford 2, based in Joliet.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.jolietslammers.com/ Joliet Slammers website]

{{s-start-collapsible|header={{s-sta|et}}}}
{{succession box
|title = Host of the [[Northern League (baseball, 1993–2010)#All-star_game|NoL All-Star Game]] Silver Cross Field
|years = 2004
|before = [[Haymarket Park]]
|after = [[U.S. Steel Yard]]
}}
{{succession box
|title = Host of the NoL All-Star Game Silver Cross Field
|years = 2009
|before = [[Canwest Park]]
|after = [[Hi Corbett Field]]
}}
{{end}}
{{Frontier_League_Ballparks}}
{{Joliet, Illinois}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Sports venues in Joliet, Illinois]]
[[Category:Minor league baseball venues]]
[[Category:Baseball venues in Illinois]]
[[Category:2002 establishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 2002]]
[[Category:Frontier League ballparks]]
[[Category:Soccer venues in Illinois]]

Wintrust Field

2025-06-25T21:07:25Z

209.15.167.91:

{{Short description|Stadium located in Illinois}}
{{confused|Wintrust Arena}}
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = Wintrust Field
| nickname =
| logo_image = Wintrust Field Logo.png
| image = Schaumburg Boomers Stadium 2017-06-19.jpg
| image_size = 300px
| caption = The outside of Wintrust Field (then Boomers Stadium) in June 2017
| location = 1999 South Springinsguth Road [[Schaumburg, Illinois]] 60193
| coordinates =
| publictransit = {{rint|Chicago|MDW}} at {{stl|Metra|Schaumburg}}
| broke_ground = {{Start date and age|July 10, 1998}}<ref>{{cite news |title=A Groundbreaking Day For 'Mini' Wrigley Field |first=Carri |last=Karuhn |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1998/07/10/a-groundbreaking-day-for-mini-wrigley-field/ |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=July 10, 1998 |access-date=February 4, 2012}}</ref>
| built = {{Start date and age|1999}}
| opened = {{Start date and age|1999|5|27}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Schaumburg Flyers Ready To Play Ball |first=Mark |last=Mandernach |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1999/05/23/schaumburg-flyers-ready-to-play-ball/ |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=May 23, 1999 |access-date=February 4, 2012}}</ref>
| renovated =
| expanded =
| closed =
| demolished =
| owner = Village of Schaumburg
| operator = [[Schaumburg Boomers]]
| surface = Natural grass
| construction_cost = $19 million (${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|19000000|1999}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}})
| architect = Sink Combs Dethlefs
| general_contractor = [[Turner Construction]]
| former_names = Schaumburg Baseball Stadium (1999) Alexian Field (2000–2011) Boomers Stadium (2011–2020)
| tenants = [[Schaumburg Boomers]] ([[Frontier League|FL]]) (2012–present) [[Schaumburg Flyers]] ([[Northern League (baseball, 1993–2010)|NL]]) (1999–2010) [[Chicago Tornadoes]] ([[Pro Cricket]]) (2004) [[Dominican University (Illinois)#Athletics|Dominican Stars]] ([[NCAA Division III|NCAA]]) (2008–present) [[Wheaton College (Illinois)#Athletics|Wheaton Thunder]] ([[NCAA Division III|NCAA]]) (2009–2010) [[Roosevelt Lakers]] ([[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]]) (2011–2012)
| seating_capacity = [[Baseball]]: 6,000 (1999–2013) 5,665 (2013–present) (7,365 with lawn seating and standing room) [[Concerts]]: 10,000
| record_attendance = 8,918 (July 27, 2009)
| dimensions = Left - {{cvt|355|ft|m}} Left-center - {{cvt|368|ft|m}} Center - {{cvt|400|ft|m}} Right-center - {{cvt|368|ft|m}} Right - {{cvt|353|ft|m}}
}}

'''Wintrust Field''' is a [[Ballpark|baseball stadium]] in [[Schaumburg, Illinois]]. It is the home to the [[Schaumburg Boomers]] of the [[Frontier League]] (FL), which began play in 2012 and captured their first championship in 2013. It is primarily used for [[baseball]], and was the home field of the [[Schaumburg Flyers]] baseball team from 1999 through 2010 before the Boomers resurrected the facility for pro baseball in 2012.

With a maximum capacity of 7,365 fans, Wintrust Field features 5,665 fixed seats, which includes 16 luxury suites and bleacher seating for 200 people in left field. An additional 900 fans can be accommodated in the lawn area down both the left and right field lines.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Facilities |url=https://dustars.com/facilities/wintrust-field/7#:~:text=With%20a%20capacity%20of%207,365,left%20and%20right%20field%20lines. |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Dominican University Athletics |language=en}}</ref> Its field dimensions mimic those of Chicago's [[Wrigley Field]], and the land the stadium is built on was originally purchased in the mid-1980s as a hopeful site for the '''New Wrigley Field''', had the [[City of Chicago]] and the [[Chicago Cubs]] not come to terms to bring night baseball to the North Side. Some pro [[lacrosse]] as well as [[Major North American professional sports teams|professional]] and [[amateur]] softball has also been played at Wintrust Field due to the late start (mid-May) of the independent baseball season.

The stadium itself is located west of [[Interstate 355|I-355]] off the [[Elgin-O'Hare Expressway]]. Now called '''Wintrust Field,''' the [[Alexian Brothers]] Medical Center in nearby [[Elk Grove Village, Illinois|Elk Grove]] purchased the naming rights to the ballpark in 2000. The stadium was the home of the [[Schaumburg Flyers]] from its opening through the end of the 2010 season. At that point, the village and park district which owned the stadium began eviction proceedings against the Flyers for failure to pay $551,800 in back rent. On February 24, 2011, a [[Cook County, Illinois|Cook County]] court ruled the Flyers could be evicted, ordered the now defunct team to pay the back rent, and the naming rights contract was terminated when there was no professional baseball played in the park in 2011.

From 2009 to 2010, the [[Wheaton College (Illinois)#Athletics|Wheaton College Thunder]], a Division III baseball program, played its home games at Wintrust Field, and since 2008 the [[Dominican University (Illinois)#Athletics|Dominican University Stars]] another Division III baseball program has played a majority of it home games at Wintrust Field. In 2011, the [[Roosevelt University#Athletics|Roosevelt Lakers]], an NAIA baseball program, played its home games at the stadium as well.

Later that year, in September 2011, Chicago attorney [[Patrick A. Salvi]] was awarded ownership of a [[Frontier League]] franchise that began play in May 2012. Salvi is also the owner of the American Association's [[Gary SouthShore RailCats]]. The franchise is known as the '''Schaumburg Boomers''' named after the "booming dance" of the male Greater Prairie Chicken and the team earned a 54–42 record during its Inaugural Season, falling one win short of a playoff berth.

In just the franchise's second season in 2013, the Schaumburg Boomers captured the first-ever pro baseball championship for the Village of Schaumburg in impressive fashion. After capturing the league's best record in the regular season (59-37), the Boomers became the first team in the Frontier League's 14-year history to sweep through the playoffs with a 6–0 record en route to claiming the 2013 Frontier League Championship. In doing so, the Boomers made good on a promise to win title in the "first 100 years or your money back." The guarantee was featured on a billboard announcing the new team in March 2012 before the club's first season got underway.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130917/sports/709179692/ |title=Boomers win Frontier League title |date=September 17, 2013 |website=[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Illinois)|Daily Herald]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Calderwood |first1=Tim |title=Boomers Win 2013 Championship |url=http://www.boomersbaseball.com/fanzone/news/2013/521/boomers-win-2013-championship/ |website=BoomersBaseball.com |publisher=Schaumburg Boomers |accessdate=October 9, 2019 |language=en |date=September 17, 2013}}</ref>

In October 2019, the Village of Schaumburg purchased the portion of the stadium which was owned by Schaumburg Park District for $1 million, becoming sole owner of the stadium.<ref>{{cite news |title=Schaumburg becomes sole owner of Boomers Stadium |url=https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20191024/schaumburg-becomes-sole-owner-of-boomers-stadium|newspaper=[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Illinois)|Daily Herald]] |accessdate=11 July 2020 |date=24 October 2019}}</ref>

It was the [[Chicago White Sox]]'s alternate training site in 2020 when the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] forced the cancellation of the Frontier League campaign and the abbreviation of the [[2020 Major League Baseball season|Major League Baseball season]].<ref>[https://www.milb.com/news/roundup-major-league-alternate-training-sites Dykstra, Sam. "Roundup: Major League alternate training sites," Minor League Baseball, Thursday, July 16, 2020.] Retrieved August 28, 2020</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.boomersbaseball.com Official Site of the Schaumburg Boomers]
* [http://www.ballparkreviews.com/schaumb/schaumb.htm BallparkReviews.com Photos and Review]
* [http://www.rooseveltlakers.com/sport/0/3.php Roosevelt Lakers web page]
* [http://athletics.wheaton.edu/index.aspx?tab=baseball&path=baseball Wheaton Thunder web page]
* [https://ballparkdigest.com/2020/10/08/new-for-2021-wintrust-field/]

{{coord|41|59|34.18|N|88|7|5.12|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|display=title}}

{{Frontier League Ballparks}}{{Schaumburg, Illinois}}
[[Category:College baseball venues in Illinois]]
[[Category:Cricket grounds in the United States]]
[[Category:Minor league baseball venues]]
[[Category:Roosevelt Lakers]]
[[Category:Softball venues in Illinois]]
[[Category:Schaumburg, Illinois]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Cook County, Illinois]]
[[Category:1999 establishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1999]]
[[Category:Cricket in Illinois]]

Ozinga Field

2025-06-25T21:07:01Z

209.15.167.91:

{{Short description|Baseball field in Crestwood, Illinois}}
{{Infobox stadium
| stadium_name = Ozinga Field
| image =
| location = 14011 Kenton Avenue, [[Crestwood, Illinois|Crestwood]], [[Illinois|IL]] 60445
| coordinates = {{Coord|41.637056|-87.731688|display=inline,title}}
| broke_ground = 1997
| opened = 1999
| former names = Hawkinson Ford Field (1999-2006) Hawk Ford Field (2007) Standard Bank Stadium (2008-2018)
| owner = Village of Crestwood
| operator = [[Windy City ThunderBolts]]
| surface = Synthetic Turf
| architect = Devine deFlon Yaeger
| tenants = [[Windy City ThunderBolts]] ([[Frontier League|FL]]) (1999–present)
| seating_capacity = 3,500 (4,200 with standing room)
| dimensions = Left Field Foul Line: 330 feet Left Field Gap: 375 feet Center Field: 390 feet Right Field Gap: 375 feet Right Field Foul Line: 330 feet
}}

'''Ozinga Field''' is a [[Ballpark|baseball stadium]] located in [[Crestwood, Illinois]]. The stadium was built in 1999 and holds 3,500 seats. It is the home field of the [[Windy City ThunderBolts]], playing in the [[Frontier League]] (FL).<ref>{{cite web|title=Windy City Thunderbolts|url=http://www.frontierleague.com/teams/windy-city-thunderbolts/|website=frontierleague.com|publisher=The Frontier League|accessdate=9 February 2016}}</ref>

==Name==
The park features one of the few minor league baseball stadium upper decks in the country. The park was built for the Cook County Cheetahs. However, new ownership changed the name of the team into the current Windy City ThunderBolts.
==Renovations==
The name change brought renovations to the ballpark between 2004 and 2006 including a new fan deck on the first base side, a [[beer garden]], a new kids zone down the left field line, and a new ticket office also down the left field line. The ballpark was originally called Hawkinson Ford Field until the 2007 season when the park's name was modified to Hawk Ford Field. Another name change occurred during the 2007 season on August 13, when the naming rights were sold to Standard Bank. A new scoreboard/videoboard system was added toward the end of the 2014 season and in 2015 the old grass playing surface was removed and a new synthetic turf field with new drainage system was installed.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Milar|first1=Steve|title=Windy City ThunderBolts like new turf at Standard Bank Stadium|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/sports/ct-sta-baseball-thunderbolts-st-0515-20150514-story.html|website=chicagotribune.com|date=14 May 2015 |publisher=The Chicago Tribune/Daily Southtown|accessdate=9 February 2016}}</ref> The renovations make the facility a multi-sport & concert arena available 10 months a year.

On February 20, 2019, the ThunderBolts and the village of Crestwood issued a statement announcing the name change to Ozinga Field.

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.facebook.com/standardbankstadium/ Standard Bank Stadium on Facebook]
* [http://www.wcthunderbolts.com Windy City Thunderbolts]

{{s-start-collapsible|header={{s-sta|et}}}}
{{succession box
|title = Host of the [[Frontier League|FL]] [[All-Star Game]] Hawkinson Ford Field
|years = 2001
|before = [[T.R. Hughes Ballpark]]
|after = [[Homer Stryker Field]]
}}
{{end}}
{{Frontier League Ballparks}}

[[Category:Minor league baseball venues]]
[[Category:Baseball venues in Illinois]]
[[Category:Frontier League ballparks]]
[[Category:1999 establishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1999]]

{{Illinois-baseball-venue-stub}}