Windy City ThunderBolts

Last updated

Windy City ThunderBolts
WCthunderbolts.PNG Thunderbolts2.PNG
Team logoCap insignia
Information
League Frontier League (1999–present) (West Division)
Location Crestwood, Illinois
Ballpark
Founded 1995
Nickname(s)The Bolts
League championships3 (1998, 2007, 2008)
Division championships3 (2007, 2008, 2010)
Former name(s)
  • Cook County Cheetahs (1997–2003)
  • Will County Cheetahs (1996–1997)
  • Will County Claws (1995)
Former league(s)
  • Heartland League (1996–1998)
  • North Central League (1995)
ColorsBlue, black, white
   
OwnershipFranchise Sports LLC
Manager Bobby Jenks
General ManagerMike VerSchave
Media WXAV, Daily Southtown
Website www.wcthunderbolts.com

The Windy City ThunderBolts are a professional baseball team based in the Chicago suburb of Crestwood, Illinois, in the United States. The ThunderBolts are a member of the Frontier League (FL), [1] as a member of the West Division. Since 1999, the ThunderBolts have played their home games at Ozinga Field. Formerly known as the Cook County Cheetahs, in 2004 they received a new ownership group, name and mascot. The Cheetah/ThunderBolts franchise has existed since 1995.

Contents

History

The franchise known as the Windy City ThunderBolts started as the Will County Claws in 1995 and played their home games at Lewis University's Brennan Field in Romeoville. The Claws played in the struggling North Central League, which started in 1994 with six teams but fielded only four in 1995. The North Central League folded 18 games into its second season with the Claws finishing at 8–10. In 1996, the Will County Cheetahs joined the new four-team Heartland League.

In winter 1997, the Cheetahs and the village of Crestwood, made a deal for Crestwood to build and own a new ballpark for the Cheetahs. Despite the high hopes for baseball in Crestwood for the 1998 season, it was quickly obvious that because of construction delays, the new park would not be ready. The Cheetahs needed a home field and with Romeoville not an option, neighboring Midlothian would be the solution to the Cheetahs' home field problem as they would play their 1998 season at tiny Howie Minas Field. In Midlothian, the Cheetahs would have one of their best seasons finishing in second place with a 37–29 record in the first half and earn a playoff spot for the first time in franchise history. In the Heartland League championship, the Cheetahs swept the heavily favored Tennessee Tomahawks 2 games to 0 to gain the franchise's first title.

The Heartland League started the 1998 season with six teams and finished with only four teams. The Cheetahs, now known as the Cook County Cheetahs, won the last ever Heartland League championship as the league folded after three seasons.

In 1999, the Cheetahs joined the stable Frontier League and have been members since. The team changed their name to the Windy City ThunderBolts. An ownership change instigated the name change. The ThunderBolts mascot "Boomer" was born May 21, 2004.

On August 26, 2007, the ThunderBolts won their first Central Division title. On September 17, 2007, they defeated the Washington Wild Things to win the Frontier League championship, three games to two. In 2008, they repeated a division title as the West Division champions and Frontier League champions, defeating the Kalamazoo Kings three games to none in the championship series. After heavy rains flooded Homer Stryker Field, the entire 2008 championship series was played at the Thunderbolts' Standard Bank Stadium. They thus became only the second Frontier League team to win back-to-back titles, joining the 2001–02 Richmond Roosters.

The ThunderBolts currently play at Ozinga Field (which was renamed from Standard Bank Stadium in 2018) which is located in Crestwood, Illinois. Ozinga Field is easily accessible from the south suburbs, located two blocks east of Cicero Avenue on the Midlothian Turnpike (1.5 miles south of I-294). [2]

On April 23, 2019, assistant general manager Mike VerShave was named general manager. Having served as assistant general manager since 2014, VerShave replaced former general manager Mike Lucas.

The club celebrated its 20th anniversary on the weekend of June 1–2, 2019. The team wore Cheetahs uniforms as a part of the celebrations.

On October 27, 2023, Former White Sox Closer and 2005 World Series Champion, Bobby Jenks, was named Field Manager. Jenks enthusiastically stated, "I believe I can do that and my track record has shown that I can do that". Former Thunderbolt Mitch "GM" Regan will serve as bench coach to start the 2023 campaign. [3]

Players

Dylan Axelrod Dylan Axelrod 2012.jpg
Dylan Axelrod

The San Diego Padres bought the rights to Cheetahs pitcher Chris Oxspring in 2000. He became the first player in franchise history to play in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in five games for the Padres in 2005.

In 2011, Dylan Axelrod became the first former ThunderBolt and second player in franchise history to play in MLB, having been called up by the Chicago White Sox.

On August 5, 2008, Isaac Hess threw the first no-hitter in ThunderBolts history. Tyson Corley threw the second on August 28, 2012.

Pitcher Andrew Werner became the third player in club history to make it to the majors when he started for the San Diego Padres in 2012.

Former major leaguer Josh Spence played with the ThunderBolts in 2014.

Tommy Nance played with Windy City in 2015. He later went on to be the fourth ThunderBolt alumnus to reach the Major Leagues when he debuted with the Chicago Cubs in 2021.

All 30 Major League Baseball teams have signed players out of the Frontier League. As of January 2023, the Cubs, Marlins, A's, Twins, Rays, Pirates, Blue Jays, Rangers, Padres and White Sox currently have former ThunderBolts' players or coaches in their organizations. There are a total of 50 players who have reached the Major Leagues after playing in the Frontier League. [4]

Seasons

YearW–LW%PlacePostseason
Will County Claws (North Central League)
19958–10.4443rdDid not qualify
Will County Cheetahs (Heartland League)
199628–31.4753rdDid not qualify
199731–39.4423rdDid not qualify
Cook County Cheetahs (Heartland League)
199837–29.5602ndHeartland League Championship Series: Defeated the Tennessee Tomahawks 2–0.
Cook County Cheetahs (Frontier League)
199941–43.4883rd in FL WestDid not qualify
200038–46.4523rd in FL WestDid not qualify
200128–53.3466th in FL WestDid not qualify
200240–44.4763rd in FL WestDid not qualify
200342–48.4675th in FL WestDid not qualify
Windy City Thunderbolts (Frontier League)
200437–57.3945th in FL WestDid not qualify
200539–57.4065th in FL WestDid not qualify
200641–54.4274th in FL WestDid not qualify
200768–28.7081st in FL CentralFrontier League Division Series: Defeated the Rockford Riverhawks 3–0.
Frontier League Championship Series: Defeated the Washington Wild Things 3–2.
200860–36.6251st in FL WestFrontier League Division Series: Defeated the Southern Illinois Miners 3–1.
Frontier League Championship Series: Defeated the Kalamazoo Kings 3–0.
200956–40.5832nd in FL WestFrontier League Division Series: Lost vs. River City Rascals 3–0.
201056–38.5961st in FL EastFrontier League Division Series: Lost vs. Traverse City Beach Bums 3–1.
201148–48.5004th in FL EastDid not qualify
201254–42.5632nd in FL WestDid not qualify
201350–46.5213rd in FL WestDid not qualify
201435–60.3687th in FL WestDid not qualify
201541–55.4276th in FL WestDid not qualify
201642–53.4425th in FL EastDid not qualify
201751–45.5313rd in FL EastDid not qualify
201841–54.4326th in FL EastDid not qualify
201942–54.4383rd in FL EastDid not qualify
2020------Season not played due to COVID-19
202143–53.4483rd in FL CentralDid not qualify
2022 33–62.3478th in FL WestDid not qualify
2023 43–52.4536th in FL CentralDid not qualify
2024 40–56.4177th in FL WestDid not qualify
Total1085–1174.480
Playoffs15–8.6523 Division titles, 5 Playoff appearances, 3 Championships

Current roster

Active rosterCoaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 29 Will Armbruester
  • 28 Michael Barker
  • 22 Dan Brown
  • 11 AJ Chacon
  • 37 Hunter Dupuy Injury icon 2.svg
  • 19 Ruddy Gomez
  •  8 Bryce Hellgeth
  • 20 Eric Hildebrand
  • 30 Tyler LaPorte
  • 21 Jack Mahoney
  • 26 John Mikolaicyk
  • 24 Jacob Newman Injury icon 2.svg
  • 42 Kevin Pindel
  • 53 Kyle Potthoff Injury icon 2.svg
  • 32 Caleb Riedel



 

Catchers

  • 54 Ronnie Allen Jr. Injury icon 2.svg
  •  6 JJ Figueroa
  • 31 Kyle Harbison
  • 25 Tyler Sandoval Injury icon 2.svg

Infielders

  •  5 Armando Albert
  • 12 Garrett Broussard Injury icon 2.svg
  • 27 Brennen Dorighi
  • -- J.R. Heavilin ‡
  •  7 Joe Johnson
  • 16 Henry Kusiak
  • 14 Christian Kuzemka
  • 18 Emmanuel Sanchez

Outfielders

  • 40 Joey Grabanski
  • 33 Kingston Liniak
  •  4 Cam Phelts
  • 13 Thomas Rodriguez
 

Manager

Coaches

  • -- Alex Jones (hitting)
  • -- Trevin Reynolds (assistant pitching)
  • -- Larry Rothschild (pitching consultant)
  • -- Kevin Santiago (assistant hitting/first base)

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

 updated July 16, 2024
Transactions

Notable alumni

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frontier League</span> Baseball league in the United States and Canada

The Frontier League is a professional baseball league in North America comprising 16 teams; 13 in the United States and 3 in Canada. The FL is one of the seven independent baseball leagues across North America, and is one of the four leagues considered as an MLB Partner League. The league is headquartered in Sauget, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richmond Roosters</span> Defunct professional baseball team in Richmond, Indiana

The Richmond Roosters were a professional baseball team based in Richmond, Indiana from 1995 to 2005. The Roosters played in the independent Frontier League, which at that time had no affiliation with Major League Baseball.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">River City Rascals</span> American professional baseball team

The River City Rascals were a professional baseball team based in O'Fallon, Missouri, in the United States. The Rascals were a member of the West Division of the Frontier League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From the 1999 season to 2019, the Rascals played their home games at CarShield Field.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crestwood, Illinois</span> Village in the United States

Crestwood is a village about 24 miles (39 km) southwest of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 10,826.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richie Sexson</span> American baseball player (born 1974)

Richmond Lockwood Sexson is an American former professional baseball first baseman who played in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners, and New York Yankees from 1997 to 2008. Sexson was a two-time MLB All-Star and was inducted onto the Milwaukee Brewers Wall of Honor. Sexson was also the field manager for the Windy City ThunderBolts in the West division of the Frontier League for the 2023 season.

A thunderbolt is a symbolic representation of lightning when accompanied by a loud thunderclap.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Traverse City Beach Bums</span> Defunct professional baseball team in Traverse City, Michigan

The Traverse City Beach Bums were a professional baseball team based in the Traverse City, Michigan suburb of Blair Township from 2006-2018. The Beach Bums played in the independent Frontier League.

Ozinga Field is a baseball field located in Crestwood, Illinois. The stadium was built in 1999 and holds 3,200 people. It is the home field of the 2007 and 2008 Frontier League champions, the Windy City ThunderBolts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Rothschild</span> American baseball player and coach (born 1954)

Lawrence Lee Rothschild is an American former professional baseball pitcher, coach, and manager who is currently the pitching consultant for the Windy City ThunderBolts of the Frontier League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Mackowiak</span> American baseball player (born 1976)

Robert William Mackowiak is an American former professional baseball player. During his Major League Baseball career, he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, San Diego Padres, and Washington Nationals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Jenks</span> American baseball player (born 1981)

Robert Scott Jenks is an American professional baseball coach and former pitcher who is currently the manager for the Windy City ThunderBolts of the Frontier League. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox from 2005 through 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Parent (baseball)</span> American baseball player and coach (born 1961)

Mark Alan Parent is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played from 1986 to 1998 and was the bench coach for the Chicago White Sox from 2012 to 2015.

Morgan Burkhart is a former first baseman/designated hitter in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox (2000–2001) and Kansas City Royals (2003). He was a switch hitter and threw left-handed. He is currently the batting practice and hitting instructor for the San Diego Padres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ehren Wassermann</span> American baseball player (born 1980)

Ehren Josef Wassermann is a former professional baseball player and coach. He currently serves as the head coach for John Carroll Catholic High School. A right-handed sidearm pitcher, Wassermann made his Major League Baseball debut with the Chicago White Sox on July 20, 2007, against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, retiring both batters faced.

Brent Raymond Bowers is an American former professional baseball player. Bowers played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles in the 1996 season. He also played in the Korea Baseball Organization in 1999. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oakland County Cruisers</span> Professional baseball team based in Waterford Township, Michigan

The Oakland County Cruisers were a professional baseball team based in Waterford Township, Michigan, in the United States. They were a member of the East Division of the Frontier League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. The team became the London Rippers in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Normal CornBelters</span> American collegiate summer baseball team

The Normal CornBelters are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Normal, Illinois, which is part of the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area. The franchise was formerly a professional team, and was a member of the independent Frontier League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sydney Blue Sox</span> Australian professional baseball team

The Sydney Blue Sox are a professional baseball team, and one of eight foundation teams in the re-formed Australian Baseball League (ABL). The team plays their home games at Blacktown International Sportspark (BISP), one of the two venues used for baseball at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, when it was known as Blacktown Olympic Park. The Blue Sox hosted the league's Opening Day for the inaugural season on 6 November 2010, when they played against the Canberra Cavalry, and won the game 1–0. The Blue Sox are the only team in the Australian Baseball League to implement sabermetrics as a way to run their team with volunteer statistician, Anthony Rescan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dylan Axelrod</span> American baseball player (born 1985)

Dylan Davis Haines Axelrod is an American pitching performance and integration coordinator for the Detroit Tigers. He is also a former professional baseball pitcher, as well as a former pitcher for Team Israel. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox and the Cincinnati Reds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Bollinger</span> American baseball player

Ryan Michael Bollinger is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Haar Disciples of the German Baseball Bundesliga. He has previously played in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Fubon Guardians and Rakuten Monkeys. In 2018, he was promoted to the major leagues by the New York Yankees, but he did not appear in a game, making him a phantom ballplayer.

References

  1. "Windy City Thunderbolts". Frontier League. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  2. "About Us". The Official Site Of The WC Thunderbolts. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  3. Taylor, Ryan (October 27, 2023). "Former White Sox closer named manager of the minor league Windy City Thunderbolts". NBC Sports Chicago. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  4. "Alumni". Frontier League. Retrieved March 20, 2023.