Joliet JackHammers

Last updated

Joliet JackHammers
JolietJackHammers.PNG JackHammers Cap.png
Team logoCap insignia
Information
Location Joliet, Illinois
Ballpark Silver Cross Field
Founded 2002
Folded 2011
League championships0
Division championships1 (2002)
Former name(s)Joliet JackHammers (2002–10)
Former league(s)
Colorsnavy blue, columbia blue, orange, white
    
General manager Jamie Toole
Manager Chad Parker
MediaJoliet Herald News
Website www.jackhammerbaseball.com

The Joliet JackHammers were a professional baseball team based in Joliet, Illinois, in the United States. The JackHammers were a member of the Northern League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From 2002 to 2010, the JackHammers played their home games at Silver Cross Field.

Contents

History

Their first season was the 2002 season and the Jackhammers had been preceded in Joliet by the minor league Joliet Convicts, who began play in 1890. The Jackhammers first playoff appearance came in their first season.

The 2008 Jackhammers were managed by one time Arizona Diamondback managerial candidate Wally Backman. The primary radio announcer was Jon Versteeg.

The Jackhammers, in response to extremely low attendance in 2009, had a total makeover to start the 2010 season. Everything, from the roster and management, all the way down to the uniforms, was re-done. Their offseason advertising campaign was also very aggressive, and included everything from newspaper ads to billboards. The Jackhammers made the playoffs for the first time in 8 years, making the season a success performance-wise. They still lagged in attendance, averaging about 3,500 fans a game, 4th in the league.

Founded: 2002
Playoff appearances: 2002, 2010
Divisional titles won: 2002
League Championships won: None

The team was sold in December 2010 after months of negotiations to Steel City Baseball LLC. Steel City bought all assets to the team seeing as they owed $220,000 to the city. With the sale, none of the unpaid bills will be paid off. Steel City changed the team's name for the 2011 season, and the team joined the Frontier League. On January 12, 2011 GM John Dittrich announced for the 2011 season the new team would be called the Joliet Slammers. The team will continue to use Silver Cross Field as their home venue.

Year-by-year record

    First Half Second Half Overall   
SeasonDivisionW-LFinishW-LFinishW-LWin%Playoffs
2002South22-233rd31-151st53-38.582Lost Central semi-final
2003East19-254th21-234th40-48.455Did not qualify
2004South24-243rd25-233rd49-47.510Did not qualify
2005South23-255th13-356th36-60.374Did not qualify
2006South16-324th26-232nd42-55.433Did not qualify
2007South22-262nd23-253rd45-51.469Did not qualify
2008N/A43-535thN/AN/A43-53.448Did not qualify
2009N/A32-636thN/AN/A32-63.337Did not qualify
2010N/A53-473rdN/AN/A53-47.530Lost semi-final

Final roster

Active rosterCoaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 34 Flag of the United States.svg Devin Anderson
  • 17 Flag of the United States.svg Griffin Bailey
  • 11 Flag of the United States.svg Ronald Bay
  • 16 Flag of the United States.svg Brian Gartley
  • 10 Flag of the United States.svg Nathan Ginsberg
  • 30 Flag of the United States.svg William Jackel
  • 33 Flag of the United States.svg Billy Petrick
  • 22 Flag of the United States.svg Todd Privett
  • 13 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Rocco
  • 32 Flag of the United States.svg Drew Shetrone
  • 12 Flag of the United States.svg Rory Shortell
  • 27 Flag of the United States.svg Ross Stout
  • 24 Flag of the United States.svg Sean Teague



 

Catchers

  • 19 Flag of the United States.svg Joe Billick
  •  9 Flag of the United States.svg Rafael Mendez

Infielders

  •  7 Flag of the United States.svg Brad Correll
  •  3 Flag of the United States.svg Brandon McArthur
  •  4 Flag of the United States.svg Roberto Mena
  • 23 Flag of the United States.svg Kevin Rios
  •  6 Flag of the United States.svg Jorge Rodriguez
  • 35 Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Freddie Thon

Outfielders

  • 14 Flag of the United States.svg Ryan Basham
  • 21 Flag of the United States.svg Justin Justice
  • 26 Flag of the United States.svg Jon Nelson
  •  5 Flag of the United States.svg Jonathon Wyatt
 

Manager

  • Flag of the United States.svg Chad Parker

Coaches

  • Flag of the United States.svg Bryce Florie(Pitching)
  • Flag of the United States.svg Ced Landrum(Hitting)

Injury icon 2.svg Disabled list
‡ Inactive list
§ Suspended list

 updated 2010-05-23
[ Transactions]

References