Joliet JackHammers

Joliet JackHammers
Team logo Cap insignia
Information
Location	Joliet, Illinois
Ballpark	Silver Cross Field
Founded	2002
Folded	2011
League championships	0
Division championships	1 (2002)
Former name(s)	Joliet JackHammers (2002–10)
Former league(s)	Northern League
Colors	navy blue, columbia blue, orange, white
General Manager	Jamie Toole
Manager	Chad Parker
Media	Joliet 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.

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
Season		Division		W-L	Finish		W-L	Finish		W-L	Win%		Playoffs
2002		South		22-23	3rd		31-15	1st		53-38	.582		Lost Central semi-final
2003		East		19-25	4th		21-23	4th		40-48	.455		Did not qualify
2004		South		24-24	3rd		25-23	3rd		49-47	.510		Did not qualify
2005		South		23-25	5th		13-35	6th		36-60	.374		Did not qualify
2006		South		16-32	4th		26-23	2nd		42-55	.433		Did not qualify
2007		South		22-26	2nd		23-25	3rd		45-51	.469		Did not qualify
2008		N/A		43-53	5th		N/A	N/A		43-53	.448		Did not qualify
2009		N/A		32-63	6th		N/A	N/A		32-63	.337		Did not qualify
2010		N/A		53-47	3rd		N/A	N/A		53-47	.530		Lost semi-final

Final roster

Joliet JackHammers roster

Active roster				Coaches/Other
Pitchers 34 Devin Anderson 17 Griffin Bailey 11 Ronald Bay 16 Brian Gartley 10 Nathan Ginsberg 30 William Jackel 33 Billy Petrick ‡ 22 Todd Privett 13 Mike Rocco 32 Drew Shetrone 12 Rory Shortell 27 Ross Stout 24 Sean Teague		Catchers 19 Joe Billick  9 Rafael Mendez Infielders  7 Brad Correll  3 Brandon McArthur  4 Roberto Mena 23 Kevin Rios  6 Jorge Rodriguez 35 Freddie Thon Outfielders 14 Ryan Basham 21 Justin Justice 26 Jon Nelson  5 Jonathon Wyatt		Manager Chad Parker Coaches Bryce Florie (Pitching) Ced Landrum (Hitting) Disabled list ‡ Inactive list § Suspended list  updated 2010-05-23 [ Transactions]

References

• yearly league standings & awards, nlfan.com
• article on the sale, chicagoist.com

External links

• Joliet JackHammers official site
• nlfan.com Joliet JackHammers' Guide