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The Gateway Grizzlies

An Analytical Exploration of a Frontier League Franchise.

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Team Overview

Franchise Identity

The Gateway Grizzlies represent a professional baseball franchise situated in Sauget, Illinois. As a participant in the Frontier League (FL), the team competes within the West Division of the Midwest Conference. Founded in 2001, the Grizzlies have established themselves as a consistent presence in the independent league landscape, playing their home games at the Arsenal BG Ballpark.

Operational Structure

The franchise is owned by Richard "Rich" Sauget, providing a stable leadership foundation. The day-to-day management and strategic direction are overseen by General Manager Kurt Ringkamp and Manager Steve Brook. This structure is typical for professional sports organizations, ensuring specialized expertise in both business operations and on-field performance.

Media and Broadcasting

The team's activities and achievements are covered by local media, including the Belleville News-Democrat. Game broadcasts are accessible via Mixlr, with live streaming options available through FloSports for subscribers. This multi-channel approach ensures broad reach for fans and stakeholders.

Arsenal BG Ballpark

Location and Capacity

The Gateway Grizzlies host their home games at the Arsenal BG Ballpark, a venue designed to accommodate approximately 6,000 spectators. Strategically located just 8 miles southeast of Downtown St. Louis, the ballpark offers convenient access for fans from both Illinois and Missouri.

Fan Amenities

Arsenal BG Ballpark is noted for its diverse seating options and fan-centric amenities. These include traditional lawn seats and bleacher seating, alongside more premium box seating and private party suites. A unique feature is the "hot tub suite," offering an unconventional and engaging viewing experience for groups.

Franchise History

Championship Pedigree

Established in 2001, the Gateway Grizzlies have achieved significant success within the Frontier League. The franchise secured its first league championship in 2003, defeating the Evansville Otters in a decisive sweep. This victory marked a key milestone in the team's early history.

Division Dominance

Beyond their league championship, the Grizzlies have demonstrated consistent performance by capturing multiple division titles. They have been recognized as division champions in the following seasons: 2003, 2007, 2012, and most recently in 2023. These accolades underscore the team's sustained competitiveness.

Playoff Appearances

The team's consistent performance has led to numerous playoff berths throughout their existence. The Grizzlies have qualified for postseason play in the following years: 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2023, 2024, and 2025. This record reflects a strong organizational commitment to contending for championships.

Season Records

Performance Metrics

The Gateway Grizzlies have maintained a competitive record since their inception in 2001. Their performance data provides insight into the team's trajectory and consistency over the years. The following table details their season-by-season win-loss records, divisional placements, and postseason outcomes.

Gateway Grizzlies (Frontier League)
Year Wโ€“L Win % Place Postseason Manager
2001 37โ€“44 .457 5th in FL West Did not qualify Champ Summers
2002 34โ€“50 .405 5th in FL West Did not qualify Richard "Rich" Sauget
2003 50โ€“38 .554 1st in FL West Won 1st Rd. Playoff vs. Washington Wild Things 2โ€“0.
Won Frontier League Championship vs. Evansville Otters 3โ€“0.
Danny Cox
2004 56โ€“38 .588 2nd in FL West Lost 1st Rd. Playoff vs. Rockford Riverhawks 3โ€“2. Danny Cox
2005 49โ€“47 .442 3rd in FL West Did not qualify Danny Cox
2006 42โ€“52 .512 3rd in FL West Did not qualify Danny Cox
2007 64โ€“29 .688 1st in FL West Lost 1st Rd. Playoff vs. Washington Wild Things 3โ€“0. Phil Warren
2008 51โ€“45 .531 3rd in FL West Lost 1st Rd. Playoff vs. Kalamazoo Kings 3โ€“1. Phil Warren
2009 40โ€“54 .426 5th in FL West Did not qualify Phil Warren
2010 54โ€“40 .574 3rd in FL West Did not qualify Phil Warren
2011 39โ€“56 .411 4th in FL West Did not qualify Phil Warren
2012 57โ€“39 .594 1st in FL West Lost 1st Rd. Playoff vs. Florence Freedom 3โ€“2. Phil Warren
2013 53โ€“43 .552 2nd in FL West Did not qualify Phil Warren
2014 50โ€“46 .521 3rd in FL West Did not qualify Phil Warren
2015 45โ€“50 .474 4th in FL West Did not qualify Phil Warren
2016 44โ€“51 .463 6th in FL West Did not qualify Phil Warren
2017 32โ€“64 .333 6th in FL West Did not qualify Phil Warren
2018 38โ€“58 .396 6th in FL West Did not qualify Phil Warren
2019 39โ€“57 .406 5th in FL West Did not qualify Phil Warren
2020 -- -- -- Season cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic. --
2021 38โ€“57 .400 4th in FL West Did not qualify Cameron Roth
2022 47โ€“49 .490 6th in FL West Did not qualify Steve Brook
2023 59โ€“37 .615 1st in FL West Lost 1st Rd. Playoff vs. Evansville Otters 2โ€“1 Steve Brook
2024 59โ€“36 .621 2nd in FL West Lost East Division Wild Card Game to Lake Erie Crushers 10โ€“8 Steve Brook
2025 56โ€“40 .583 2nd in FL West Won East Division Wild Card Round vs. Washington Wild Things 2โ€“0
Lost West Division Conference Finals vs. Schaumburg Boomers 3โ€“0
Steve Brook
Totals 966โ€“904 .505 โ€” โ€” โ€”
Playoffs 10โ€“12 .454 โ€” 3 Division titles, 8 Playoff appearances, 1 championship โ€”

Current Roster

Player and Staff Overview

The current roster and coaching staff for the Gateway Grizzlies are detailed below. This information reflects the team's active personnel for the ongoing season, including pitchers, catchers, infielders, outfielders, and the coaching team.

Gateway Grizzlies Roster
Active Roster Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • -- Donovan Burke
  • 21 Keegan Collett
  • 28 Teague Conrad
  • -- Sam Coonrod
  • 11 Tyler Cornett
  • 32 Alvery De Los Santos
  • -- Claudio Galva
  •  8 Matt Hickey
  • -- Francis Peguero
  • -- Sam Rochard
  • -- Zac Treece
  • 15 Gage Vailes
  • 14 Lukas Veinbergs
  • 23 Alec Whaley
 

Catchers

  •  9 Jose Alvarez
  • -- Tanner Garrison
  • -- Allante Hall

Infielders

  • -- Ross Friedrick
  •  2 Gabe Holt
  • 12 DJ Stewart
  • 18 Dale Thomas
  • -- Paxton Wallace
  • 10 Tate Wargo

Outfielders

  •  5 Cole Brannen
  • 20 Victor Castillo
  • -- Calyn Halvorson
  •  3 Edwin Mateo
  • -- Mark Shallenberger
 

Manager

  • 13 Steve Brook

Coaches

  • 38 Alex Ferguson (bench)
  •  4 Kyle Gaedele (hitting)
  • 17 Nick Kennedy (pitching)

โš ๏ธ Disabled list
โ€  Inactive list
ยง Suspended list

Updated May 4, 2025
Transactions

Team Culture & Unique Aspects

"Baseball's Best Burger"

The Gateway Grizzlies have gained notable recognition for their unique culinary offering, "Baseball's Best Burger." This item, a variation of the Luther burger, features a deep-fried doughnut serving as the bun. Its distinctive nature has garnered attention from prominent media outlets such as ESPN, Fortune, and the television program Man v. Food, highlighting the team's innovative approach to fan engagement and concessions.

Broadcasting and Fan Engagement

The team ensures broad accessibility for its fanbase through comprehensive broadcasting arrangements. Games are streamed live on FloSports, requiring a subscription, and also broadcast via Mixlr. The current Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations, Jason Guerette, plays a pivotal role in managing these communication channels and fostering fan connection.

Notable Alumni

Professional Trajectories

Several players who have been part of the Gateway Grizzlies organization have gone on to achieve notable success in professional baseball, including appearances in Major League Baseball (MLB) and international competitions. Their development within the Grizzlies system underscores the team's role in player progression.

  • Scott Patterson (2002โ€“2005): A former pitcher whose contract was purchased by the New York Yankees in 2006. He made one MLB appearance in 2008 and later played internationally, retiring in 2016. He also earned a silver medal with the United States National Baseball Team at the Pan American Games.
  • Justin Erasmus (2013): A pitcher who played in the Boston Red Sox organization and the Australian Baseball League. He represented South Africa in the 2009 World Baseball Classic and Australia in the 2017 tournament.
  • Trevor Richards (2015โ€“2016): A pitcher signed by the Miami Marlins in 2016, making his MLB debut in 2018. He has since played for the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers, and is currently with the Toronto Blue Jays.
  • Josh Lucas (2023): A former MLB pitcher (St. Louis Cardinals, Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles) who played for the Grizzlies in 2023, recording a 2.84 ERA with 43 strikeouts and 4 saves across 32.1 innings.

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Gateway Grizzlies Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional sports management or financial advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional consultation regarding sports operations, player development, or financial investments. Always refer to official league documentation and consult with qualified professionals for specific needs.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.