A sale of the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) is close to fruition, with changes to the Silver Cross Field memo of understanding expected to be approved Monday night by the city council. The city council doesn’t have a direct say in the sale of the Slammers, but does have an indirect one: if the […]
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Joliet Slammers on the market
After two years of losses, the owners of the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) put the team on the market and are negotiating with two prospective new ownership groups. Alan Oremus of Steel City Baseball LLC, along with team president Bill Waliewski, decided to pull the plug on their ownership of the team after totaling […]
Indy ball apparently not good enough for Joliet
Though the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) have worked hard on a quality product, some locals say baseball won’t be successful until affiliated ball arrives — which will probably be never. The Slammers were a smash in the first season, then saw things level off in 2012. That’s led to some talk about affiliated ball […]
Slammers hit bumps in second season
A sophomore slump can hit franchises, too, as the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) are seeing some setbacks at the gate and on the field. The team had a pretty good debut in 2011, drawing 2,311 fans a game and generating some genuine enthusiasm for the franchise after the old Joliet Jackhammers (independent; Northern League) […]
More weather woes: Tarpocalypse in Joliet
It’s been an intense week for weather impacting ballpark operations; check out this video of the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) staff strugging to keep a tarp down. During a June 29, 2012 rain delay, the Slammers staff put down the infield tarp, but that action didn’t take. Heavy winds blew the tarp off the field, […]
Illinois baseball: Changes for 2012
After a few years of turmoil and legal proceedings, things are settling down for three Illinois Frontier League and summer-collegiate teams: Joliet Slammers, Schaumburg Boomers and Springfield Sliders. Last year the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) put together a pretty debut despite not having much time to prepare: there may have been a few rough […]
Video, video: prepping for the season
Videos are increasingly important marketing tools for baseball teams at all levels. Here’s a look at how three teams — Fort Wayne TinCaps, Madison Mallards and Joliet Slammers — are deploying videos as part of their sales arsenal. The Madison Mallards (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) threw up a pretty slick website, 7gamepack.com, to promote the […]
Salvi buys Schaumburg lease, will own new team
Pat Salvi, owner of the Gary SouthShore RailCats (independent; American Association), has bought the Alexian FIeld lease from Alan Oremus and has appointed Andy Viano as team president of the as-yet-unnamed Schaumburg team. The future of the Schaumburg team, originally slated to play in the American Association, has been in doubt in several weeks; there […]
2011 Logo of the Year: Joliet Slammers
It was an edgy design that embraced, rather than ignored, Joliet’s penal history. In the end, a distinctive logo and look helped catapult the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) to a successful inaugural season and garnered recognition from Ballpark Digest for 2011 Logo of the Year. Setting up operations at Silver Cross Field was going […]
Frontier League
The Frontier League goes back to 1993 as an early independent league; after some early struggles and uncertainty in some markets, it’s now an established league with little franchise turnover and a unique emphasis on young player development. Independent / 1993-present Current TeamsEvansville OttersFlorence FreedomGateway GrizzliesLake Erie CrushersJoliet SlammersNormal CornBeltersRiver City RascalsRockford RiverHawksSouthern Illinois MinersTraverse […]
The Week That Was: July 24
More fireworks from the independent North American League, possible ballpark changes in Tucson and debates over the future of Tropicana Field highlighted the most popular stories of the past week on Ballpark Digest, as measured by page views. Fielders’ Zaman quits on the air Tucson revoking Toros lease for Hi Corbett; Wildcats, T-Padres to follow? […]
Slammers work hard to regain community trust
The Joliet JackHammers almost salted the territory after failing to pay bills the past few seasons, but the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) are working hard to regain community trust — and succeeding. The JackHammers folded after owing $400,000 to vendors and $200,000 to the city for rent at Silver Cross Field — a deficit […]
Slammers unveil mascot: J.L. Bird
The Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) unveiled a second mascot that keeps with the jailbird theme for the team: J.L. Bird. “He can be a little mischievous,” Slammers Director of Marketing Sarah H. Eichenberger said. “But we’ve been assured that he’s perfectly friendly.” The new mascot made his debut Sunday night as he ran wild […]