Frontier League Adds Ottawa to Lineup, Ownership Group Led by Goldeyes’ Sam Katz

PRESS RELEASE – The Frontier League has announced the granting of an expansion membership to Ottawa, Ontario, to begin play in the 2021 season. Ottawa becomes the 15th Frontier League team and the third in Canada, joining the Quebec Capitales and Trois-Rivieres Aigles.

Frontier League Designated as Partner League of MLB

PRESS RELEASE – Major League Baseball (MLB) announced today that it has named the Frontier League as a “Partner Leagues” of MLB. The Frontier League, along with the American Association, join the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB), which was designated a Partner League earlier this week.

American Association, Frontier League Designated as Partner Leagues of MLB

PRESS RELEASE – Major League Baseball (MLB) announced today that it has named both the American Association and the Frontier League as “Partner Leagues” of MLB. The American Association and the Frontier League join the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB), which was designated a Partner League earlier this week.

Schaumburg’s Village Expected to Approve Revised Ballpark Lease with Boomers

Three months after becoming sole owners of Schaumburg Boomers Stadium, village officials are poised tonight to enact revisions to the baseball team’s lease agreement they say are in the best interests of both parties.  Read more here.

It’s the Florence Y’alls!

The Northern Kentucky baseball team — a member of the West Division of the Frontier League (Independent Professional) — will now be known as the Florence Y’alls, a nod to the city’s famed and quirky water tower.  Read more here.

Can-Am League and Frontier League Announce Historic Merger

PRESS RELEASE – Today the Can-Am League and the Frontier League are announcing a historic merger resulting in the creation of the largest league in all of Independent Professional Baseball. The newly formed Frontier League will begin play in 2020 with a soon to be revealed 96-game schedule spanning from mid-May through September.

Rascals to Cease Operations, Otters Take Wait-and-See Approach as Frontier League/Can-Am League Merger Talks Continue

As recently reported, after 21 years, the River City Rascals (Independent Professional, Frontier League) will cease operations at the end of the 2019 baseball season.  The city of O’Fallon (MO) has started looking for another team to play at CarShield Field in 2020.  Read more here.  Meanwhile, Evansville Otters owner Bill Bussing is taking a wait-and-see approach to the Rascals’ imminent departure from the league and a possible Frontier League/Can-Am League merger.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link to the Otters article.

Freedom Under New Ownership, Will Remain at UC Health Stadium

The Florence Freedom (Independent Professional, Frontier League) are officially under new ownership and, as expected, will continue play at city-owned UC Health Stadium.  Freedom Baseball Club, LLC, comprised of four general partners, acquired the professional team from Canterbury Baseball, LLC.  Read more here.

Joliet Council to Vote on New Stadium Naming Rights Deal

The Joliet City Council Stadium Committee voted 3-0 Monday to advance a new stadium naming rights agreement to the full council for a vote Tuesday.  The stadium will be renamed DuPage Medical Group Field.  The agreement will reportedly produce more revenue than a previous agreement with Silver Cross Hospital.  Read more here.

Ballpark Naming Rights Controversy in Joliet

The amount of money the city of Joliet (IL) gets from the naming rights agreement with DuPage Medical Group for the city-owned baseball stadium, home of the Joliet Slammers (Independent Professional, Frontier League), has not been disclosed, even to City Council members.   City officials and council members also are concerned that the new DuPage Medical Group Field name does not take into account the Joliet Route 66 Stadium name given to the stadium by ordinance in 2017.  Read more here.

City, Slammers Secure Ballpark Naming Rights Partner

The home of the Joliet Slammers (Independent Professional, Frontier League) in Joliet (IL) is reportedly getting a new name.  According to a source, the ballpark will be known as DuPage Medical Group Field at Route 66 Stadium.  An official announcement is expected soon.  Read more here.

Normal CornBelters Prepare to Open First Summer-Collegiate Season

After nine seasons as an independent professional team in the Frontier League, the Normal CornBelters prepare to open their first season as a franchise in the summer collegiate Prospect League.  Read more here.

Officials Shelve Upgrades for Schaumburg Ballpark

Ambitious and costly upgrades planned for the 20-year-old baseball stadium that houses the Schaumburg Boomers are being shelved for now after competition for fans with Rosemont’s new Impact Field in 2018 proved less than anticipated.  Read more here.

Boulders to Host 2019 Can-Am League vs Frontier League All-Star Game

PRESS RELEASE – The Rockland Boulders will host the 2019 All-Star Game between the Can-Am League and the Frontier League on Wednesday, July 10, at Palisades Credit Union Park, presented by Good Samaritan Hospital. This will mark the first time that these two independent professional leagues will face each other, and only the third time a Can-Am organization has hosted an All-Star game since the league’s re-formation in 2005.

Traverse City Baseball Unveils Six Possible Names to Re-Brand the Franchise

Traverse City Baseball has announced six finalists for the “Name the Team Contest” ahead of its inaugural Northwood League (Summer Collegiate) season.  After receiving more than 3,000 submissions, the ownership is now inviting fans to choose their favorite.  The options are the following: Black Pearls, Dogmen, Dune Bears, Pit Spitters, Tree Shakers, and Sasquatch.  Read more and vote here.

ThunderBolts Unveil Logo for 20th Anniversary in Crestwood and Frontier League

PRESS RELEASE – The Windy City ThunderBolts will be celebrating their 20th anniversary season in 2019, and to kick off the celebration, the ThunderBolts have unveiled their 20th anniversary logo. The logo commemorates the 20 years that the franchise has spent in the Frontier League and in Crestwood, Illinois.

Prospect League Expects to Add One More to 2019 Lineup

The Prospect League (Summer Collegiate) has already added the Cape Girardeau (Missouri) Catfish and formerly professional Normal CornBelters to next season’s line up.  The league expects to announce one more team soon to get to twelve.  Read more here.

Prospect League Adds CornBelters to 2019 Lineup

PRESS RELEASE – Today marks a momentous occasion in Normal CornBelters baseball history, as the announcement has been made that they will begin play in 2019 as members of the summer collegiate Prospect League. It is also being announced that the Corn Crib is being sold to Corn Crib Associates and that the Normal Prospect League Membership will now be operated by Normal Corn Belters Baseball, including Mr. Rick DeStefane, Mr. Jimmie Louthan and Mr. Matt Stembridge. All three are current members and operators of Prospect League teams in Hannibal, MO and Quincy, Illinois.

Rascals Locked Out of CarShield Field

The city of O’Fallon (MO) has locked the River City Rascals (Independent Professional, Frontier League) out of the city-owned ballpark.  According to a 2017 lease agreement, the Rascals owed the city $122,000.  A plan was signed to pay back the debt over time but city officials say the team has not lived up to its part of the lease.  Read more and watch news report here.

Confirmed: CornBelters to Become Summer Collegiate Franchise

Normal CornBelters (Independent Professional, Frontier League) team president Steve Malliet confirmed this week that the team is  — as expected — leaving the independent professional Frontier League and will be a part of a summer collegiate wood bat league for the 2019 season.  The Northwoods League, Prospect League and Great Lakes League have been mentioned.  Read more here.

Cathy Perry Named Miners General Manager

PRESS RELEASE – The Southern Illinois Miners announce that Cathy Perry has been named the team’s new General Manager, replacing John Wilson. “I am excited and honored to be given the opportunity to further contribute to this great organization,” Perry said. “Being a resident of Southern Illinois all my life, I take pride in being a part of this team. I look forward to working with all of our staff to continue providing a great experience for Southern Illinois to enjoy.”

‘Belters Next to Leave for Summer Collegiate Ranks?

The Traverse City Beach Bums formally left the Frontier League (Independent Professional) on Wednesday, as new ownership announced the team would shift to the Northwoods League (Summer Collegiate) for 2019.  Are the Normal CornBelters next to depart the Frontier League?  The chatter is that the team will switch to the Prospect League (Summer Collegiate) for next season.  Read more here.

Wuerfel Talks About Sale of Beach Bums, Switch to Northwoods League

John Wuerfel wasn’t going to sell to just anybody.  The Traverse City Beach Bums (Independent, Frontier League) co-owner — or now former co-owner — sold the franchise he and his wife Leslye helped nurture for the last 13 years.  Read more here.

Traverse City (MI) Joins Northwoods League, Re-Branding Contest Underway

PRESS RELEASE – Traverse City, Michigan – Exciting changes are coming to the Traverse City sports and entertainment landscape! Traverse City Baseball, a group of investors lead by the West Michigan Whitecaps, have purchased Wuerfel Park and will begin play as a Northwoods League affiliate in May of 2019.

CornBelters Again Contemplate Future as a Pro Team

Like this time last year, the Normal CornBelters (Independent Professional, Frontier League) are pondering an off-season move from the Frontier League to a summer collegiate circuit — possibly the Northwoods League or Prospect League.  Read more here.

CornBelters Work to Improve Fan Experience

Always striving to put a better team on the field, the Normal CornBelters (Independent Professional, Frontier League) have placed an added emphasis on improving the product off the field with the season opener approaching Friday.  Read more here.

Crestwood Ballpark Celebrates 20th Season

It’s hard to believe its been 20 years already, but this year marks the 20th season of professional baseball at what is now called Standard Bank Stadium in Crestwood (IL), home of the Windy City Thunderbolts (Independent Professional, Frontier League).  Read more here.

Wild, Frontier League Ponder Future Under ‘Save America’s Pastime Act’

With or without the “Save America’s Pastime Act” included in the recent spending bill passed by Congress and signed into law by the President, baseball’s independent professional leagues have, arguably, a reasonable claim that they are covered by an exception to federal minimum-wage and overtime laws, which applies to seasonal amusement or recreational businesses under 29 USC § 213(a)(3).  It appears the Frontier League will take a wait-and-see approach.  Read more here.

Otters Add Two to Front Office

PRESS RELEASE – After unveiling early additions to the 2018 front office staff, the Evansville Otters continue to welcome new members to the club’s front office. The Otters announced the hiring of Zoe Urbina and Chris Gunn for the 2018 season.

Game Company Claims Purchase of Joliet Ballpark Naming Rights

When the twisted minds behind Cards Against Humanity asked fans to pitch in $15 to help the game company “save America,” almost any potential scenario was on the table, including digging a pointless hole in the ground.  On day six of their (anti-Donald Trump/advertising) campaign, they claim they have purchased the naming rights to the home of the Joliet Slammers (Independent Professional, Frontier League).  Read more and watch video here.  Read about Cards Against Humanity Saves Baseball here.  So, what do the Slammers have to say?

Schaumburg Officials Endorse $10.5 Million in Upgrades to Boomers Ballpark

Schaumburg (IL) village board members Tuesday joined their counterparts on the Schaumburg Park District board in endorsing a four-year, $10.5 million plan to upgrade the nearly 19-year-old baseball stadium the two governments co-own.  Read more and view renderings here.

$1.5 Million in Repairs Coming to Historic Bosse Field

Plans are being made for major repairs to Evansville’s 102-year-old Bosse Field baseball stadium using money from a county property tax increase that takes effect in January. Read more here.

Crushers to Celebrate 10th Anniversary in 2018, Unveil Logo

PRESS RELEASE – The Lake Erie Crushers, presented by Mercy, will be celebrating their 10th season during the upcoming 2018 campaign! To kick off the season-long celebration, the team has unveiled a new 10th season commemorative logo that will be used throughout the season.

Joliet Ballpark to Adorn Route 66 Theme

The home of the Joliet Slammers (Independent Professional, Frontier League) will be re-named Joliet Route 66 Stadium, city officials announced. The unveiling of the new name along with an artist’s image of what it will look like happened at the Route 66 Miles of Possibility Conference being held in Joliet (IL).  Read more here.

Boomers Hire New General Manager

RESS RELEASE – The Schaumburg Boomers, a professional minor league baseball team serving Chicago’s northwest suburbs, is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Larson as General Manager.

Schaumburg Ballpark Upgrades Coming, Will be Phased in Over Time

A consultant this month recommended nearly $13 million in improvements to Schaumburg Boomers (Independent Professional, Frontier League) Stadium. Officials from the village of Schaumburg and Schaumburg Park District, which co-own the stadium, said the implementation of upgrades will be phased over several years.  Read more and view renderings here.

Rascals to Host 2018 Frontier League All-Star Game, Unveil Logo

PRESS RELEASE – The River City Rascals have announced that the City of O’Fallon and CarShield Field have been awarded the 2018 Frontier League All-Star Game. This will be the first time in 13 years the Rascals have hosted the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby. The announcement was made by former St. Louis Cardinals’ legend Jim Edmonds at the STL Legends Game this past Saturday.

Jackson County (MI) Moving Forward with Fairgrounds Development without Ballpark

A naming rights partnership for the proposed Frontier League (Independent Professional) baseball stadium and team was expected to be announced at the Tuesday, Aug. 8 Board of Commissioners study session before the deal fell apart.  While it could resurface, the county is moving forward with redesigning the fairgrounds without a stadium in the middle.  Read more here.

Frontier League All-Star Game Tonight in Joliet, Prison Giveaway Planned

The Joliet Slammers (Independent Professional, Frontier League) are giving away Joliet prison replicas to the first 1,000 fans on Wednesday, July 12, at the 2017 All-Star Game to be held at Slammers Stadium. The giveaway is presented by the City of Joliet (IL) and Joliet Area Historical Museum.  Read more here.

Bosse Field Video

Enjoy this Bosse Field video posted by the Evansville Otters (Independent Professional, Frontier League):

We Go To Bosse Field from johnflattop on Vimeo.