In advance of its milestone 25th season, the Frontier League has unveiled a commemorative logo.
The League is currently planning events to be held during the season in all ballparks. Two new logos have been created for the 25th Season. One logo will be for print and merchandise use. The other logo will be stamped on all baseballs for the 2017 season.
The logo for print and merchandise use is a combination of the two main logos that the League has used over the 25 seasons. It is a blending of the current crossed bats logo that has been used since 2003, with the original logo from 1993 that features a baseball with a smiling face, wearing a raccoon skin cap. A banner across the bottom of the logo simply states “25th Season”. Joe Masterson of the Gateway Grizzlies assisted in creating the logo.
The logo for the baseballs in 2017 is much smaller due to the size limitations. It will feature the current Frontier League logo with the crossed bats. The numbers 2 and 5 will look as though they are being supported by the ends of the bats. A small “th” appears behind the numeral 5. The baseballs will have red and blue seams, as well as the Commissioner’s signature. Dan Tomaszewski, former Creative Marketing Manager for the Schaumburg Boomers, helped create the baseball logo.
The Frontier League had meager beginnings when the first game was played on June 30, 1993. High school and community fields were the homes to the early Frontier League teams. League attendance did not even reach 100,000. The season was only 54 games in length. No one could have predicted the growth the League would experience.
In 1995, the League moved west with the addition of Evansville, Indiana. This move eventually paved the way for teams in Illinois and Missouri in ensuing years. Also during these years, many Major League teams began scouting and signing FL players. This fact made players from around the world desire to play in the League.
To date, more than 1000 players have signed contracts with Major League Baseball teams and 31 players have gone on to play in MLB. The League also has many of its alumni working throughout MLB teams in many capacities. There is a MLB General Manager, David Forst, of the Oakland A’s. This list also includes several coaches, scouts, front office executives, player development personnel, broadcasters, trainers and even an umpire. The League has also produced hundreds of college and high school coaches, doctors, attorneys and successful business people across all walks of life.
As the League grew in stature and geographic area, the facilities grew as well. In 1999, Crestwood, Illinois and O’Fallon, Missouri, built the first two stadiums specifically for the FL. Currently, 9 out of the 12 teams in the League, play in stadiums built for the Frontier League team. Throughout the years, the League has grown and continues to attract approximately 1.5 million fans per year.
Frontier League Commissioner, Bill Lee, was hired prior to the 1994 season and is beginning his 24th season at the helm of the League. Lee says, “In my first interview, I was told that the League would not last past the 1994 season. Fortunately, we have done that. There are many, many people to thank for the success and longevity of the League. I want to personally thank every player that ever donned a Frontier League uniform, the many coaches, trainers, broadcasters, umpires, front office staff members, government officials and team owners for their sacrifices and hard work in helping to keep the League moving forward. However, most of all I want to thank all of the fans that have attended Frontier League games over the years. Without them this would not have been possible.”