Slammers Hire New GM

The new ownership of the indy pro Joliet Slammers (Frontier League) has hired Chris Franklin as the team’s new general manager.  Franklin grew up in Joliet (IL) and served as executive vice president and general manager of the indy pro River City Rascals (Frontier League) for four seasons.  He has also had stints with the Single-A Kane County Cougars (Midwest League) and now-defunct indy

Players Claim Teams Owe Rent for Housing, Toole Responds

As previously reported, Jamie Toole pulled his summer collegiate Will County CrackerJacks and Illinois Lincolns out of the Midwest Collegiate League near the end of the season amid unadmitted financial troubles.  Players are now crying foul, as they have received bills for unpaid rent for housing the teams were allegedly supposed

Awesome Sports Logos You May Have Never Seen?

Gavin Spittle from Sport Radio 610 in Houston has put together his list of  “Awesome Sports Logos You May Have Never Seen.”  Baseball logos making the list include the Modesto Nuts, Lansing Lugnuts, Montgomery Biscuits, defunct Joliet Jackhammers, Brockton Rox, Old Orchard Beach Raging Tide, and Corpus Christi Hooks.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the story.

Slammers Release Inaugural Promotional Schedule

PRESS RELEASE – “We’re kicking our inaugural season off in style,” Slammers Director of Promotions and Community Relations Kelli Drechsel said. “We have a ton of awesome giveaways this summer that our fans will be lining up to get!”

Former JackHammers GM Launches Summer Collegiate Club

Jamie Toole, former general manager of the now-defunct Joliet (IL) JackHammers, has launched the Will County CrackerJacks, a new franchise in the Midwest Collegiate League, formerly the Great Plains League.  The team will play at Wayne King, Jr. Field on the campus of Joliet Junior College.  Prior to his stint with the JackHammers, Toole was co-founder and CEO of the defunct South Coast League.  Read more here.

Silver Cross, New Joliet Team Front Office Open for Business

After a tumultuous off-season that ended with the death of the Northern League’s Joliet JackHammers, Silver Cross Field is back in business.  A new Frontier League franchise has set up shop, and a new team name is expected to be announced next week.

The Goldeyes and the Indy League Landscape

Winnipeg Free Press writer Paul Wiecek takes a look at the Winnipeg Goldeyes, its new league, the American Association, the collapsing of the Northern League, and the obvious challenges facing the viability of the proposed new North American League.  Read more here.

Dittrich New GM in Joliet

The Joliet JackHammers are now under new ownership with a promising future in the Fontier League.  Leading the club will be long-time industry veteran John Dittrich, who will serve as the team’s new GM.  Read more here.

JackHammers Sold

The indy pro Joliet JackHammers have been sold to Steel City Baseball Club LLC, led by Alan Oremus, who was a minority owner in the JackHammers.  The team will get a new name and logo.  The City of Joliet also approved a new lease for the club to use Silver Cross Field.  The team will pay $150k per year, plus $2 a head for attendance over 150,ooo.  Expect the team to play in

Frontier League Deal on Deck Monday?

The City of Joliet is saying that they have a tentative deal in place to make Joliet a Frontier League host city.  Securing new ownership for the ‘Hammers is reportedly one of the conditions.  There is pressure to have everything wrapped up in time for the city council meeting on Monday.  As we stated last week, we find it doubtful that Commissioner Bill Lee would pass up the opportunity to snag

City Makes Pitch for Joliet, ‘Bolts Want Payout

The City of Joliet (IL) made a pitch for Frontier League membership on Monday. While no decision was made, the Windy City Thunderbolts reportedly want a $200k payout for territorial intrusion.  If true, this is silly, as the Joliet JackHammers are already in the market under a different league banner.  In fact, the ‘Bolts would actually benefit from having a new suburban Chicago rival.  Read more here.

New Owners Reach Tentative Agreement to Buy ‘Hammers

An investment group that includes Alan Oremus, one of the current six owners of the Joliet (IL) JackHammers, has reached a tentative agreement to buy the club.  The group is reportedly in the process of negotiating a lease agreement with the City of Joliet to use Silver Cross Field.  It is unlikely that the deal will get done before the city makes its pitch for Frontier League membership on Monday.  Read more here.

City Leaders to Intervene to Secure Frontier League Affiliation

As reported yesterday, the City of Joliet (IL) gave the Heisman pose to the Golden Baseball League.  The city plans to lobby the Frontier League for membership at a meeting next Monday.  If new ownership can be secured for the JackHammers, and all the clutter and debt mess wiped away, we think it is highly unlikely that Frontier League Commissioner Bill Lee would take a pass on snagging

City Says No to ‘Experimental’ Golden Baseball League

The City of Joliet (IL) has said that it is not interested in allowing the Joliet Jackhammers to play in the “experimental” Golden Baseball League, which we assume means the proposed new North American League.  The city likely has the power under the club’s lease to prevent such a move.  Also, there are two potential buyers for the club, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see the ‘Hammers get a fresh

Calling Joliet Jake: Not a Mission from God, but ‘Hammers Need Cash

The Northern League’s Joliet (IL) Jackhammers are basically threatening bankrupcty, if the city cancels the team’s lease at Silver Cross Field.  Tying up the lease in Bankruptcy Court could prevent the city from securing a new tenant in time for the 2011 season.  This quandary has forced the city to remain patient, while team owners try to sell the franchise, but patience is running thin.  Read more here.

The Last Frontier for Remaining Northern League Teams

The four remaining teams from the decimated indy pro Northern League have each individually applied for membership in the 12-team Frontier League.  No word from Commissioner Bill Lee when a decision might be made to accept or deny the applications.  Read more here.

New Suitors Lining Up in Joliet

The Northern League’s Joliet (IL) Jackhammers remain in financial trouble, and there is no a shortage of parties (at least four) who would like to place a new team in beautiful Silver Cross Field, if the Jackhammers are booted.  One of those suitors is Joe Stefani, the owner of the summer collegiate Rockford (IL) Foresters from the little known Great Plains League that began play in 2010.

City Challenged by JackHammers’ Financial Woes

The Northern League’s Joliet (IL) JackHammers are having serious financial troubles, and the City of Joliet is concerned about the future of the club.  Some council members are basically calling for a bail out to keep the team operating at the city-owned Silver Cross Field.  City Manager Thomas Thanus wasn’t so kind.  He said the city should be prepared to look at bringing in another team.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the article.

Jonas Brothers to Play Softball at Silver Cross Field

PRESS RELEASE – Silver Cross Field and the Joliet JackHammers will play host to the Jonas Brothers and their Road Dogs softball team this Friday, August 6th. The Road Dogs will hit the field at 12:30pm and take on the Marquis Jet Flyers. The event is presented by Allstate and “X the TXT.” Gates to the ballpark will open at 11am Friday morning.

JackHammers Unveil 2010 Promotional Schedule

PRESS RELEASE – The suspense is finally over! The JackHammers have an event filled summer ready to entertain all fans this summer, whether you enjoy big things like the San Diego Chicken and 3D Fireworks or prefer something smaller like midget wrestling and a mini KISS concert. Whatever your fancy, all single game tickets will be available for purchase on Saturday, May 8th at 10 a.m.

JackHammers Announce 2010 Caravan Tour

PRESS RELEASE – The JackHammers are pleased to announce the 2010 Caravan Tour, which will feature seven stops around the Joliet area. The Caravan Tour will give all JackHammer fans the opportunity to meet the 2010 team and coaching staff.

Talking Stadium Issues in Joliet

Nearly $200k in repairs are needed at Silver Cross Field, home of the Northern League’s Joliet Jackhammers, most of which stem from the original build work by Chicago-based Walsh Construction.  Since the problems were discovered, the Jackhammers have witheld their annual $232k rent payment to the city.  It appears though that a resolution to the dispute has been reached.  Read more here.

JackHammers Team Up with Hooters for Bat Boy Promotion

PRESS RELEASE – The Joliet JackHammers are adding new “Bat Boys” to the Thursday night lineup. The Orange Crush is teaming up with Hooters Restaurant for a new on-field promotion for the 2010 season. 

158 Days Until Opening Day, 158 Free Hats

PRESS RELEASE – As the temperature drops below freezing and snow begins to fall, the thought of summer should bring a smile to your face. That’s precisely what the Joliet JackHammers are looking to do. With 158 days until Opening Day, the Orange Crush have partnered with the Herald News to giveaway 158 hats. Those wishing to take advantage of the special can pick up a copy of today’s newspaper and bring in the ad from page 7.

JackHammers Announce ‘Eye of the Tiger’ Golf Night

PRESS RELEASE – The Joliet JackHammers have announced “Eye of the Tiger Golf Night” for Thursday, June 3^rd, 2010 when the JackHammers host the Rockford Riverhawks at 7:10 p.m. at Silver Cross Field. The Orange Crush open their season at home on Friday, May 28 against the Lake County Fielders.

Press Release: Jackhammers Rush To Limbaugh

The Joliet JackHammers have reached out to Rush Limbaugh to become an investor in the franchise. Now that he will no longer be part of the group looking to purchase the St. Louis Rams we see that he may have some funds available to invest somewhere else. Why not with the Joliet JackHammers?

Chicago-area Indy Teams Provide Fans with Affordable Options

In challenging economic times, the independent professional teams around Chicago are holding their own.  The Northern League’s Gary SouthShore RailCats and Schaumburg Flyers both saw modest per game average attendance increases over last year.  The ‘Cats were up 70 per game to 3,539, while the Flyers were up 96 per game to 4,394.  The league’s Joliet Jackhammers dropped 597 per game, but their 3,250 average is still respectable.  The biggest surprise has to be the Frontier League’s Windy City Thunderbolts, which jumped up 465 fans per game last year to an average of 2,252 in 2009.  Read more here.