The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes presented by Memorial Care are excited to announce that the Gateway Grizzlies of the Frontier League, an MLB Partner League, will host a regular season game at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois on Tuesday, August 13th.
The Grizzlies, based out of Sauget, Illinois, will be the home team in a matchup against the Lake Erie Crushers with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 PM CST. It will be the first professional baseball game hosted at the 99-year-old Robin Roberts Stadium since August 28th, 2001.
Springfield, Illinois and Robin Roberts Stadium was home of the Frontier League’s Springfield Capitals from 1996 through 2001. In their final season, The Capitals hosted a home series against the Gateway Grizzlies who were in the midst of their inaugural season.
Gateway Grizzlies General Manager Kurt Ringkamp is looking forward to the opportunity of playing in front of the Springfield market and bringing Frontier League baseball back to Illinois’ Capital City for the first time in over twenty years.
“We’re constantly trying to be unique and bring the Grizzlies brand to different communities in more ways than one. This is a great opportunity to showcase the Grizzlies to a new city as we grow our partnership with the Lucky Horseshoes,” remarked Ringkamp.
While Frontier League baseball has been absent in Springfield, in the Summer of 2023, the Lucky Horseshoes welcomed Commissioner Emeritus Bill Lee as the league hosted a pre-game ceremony to commemorate and induct Springfield Capitals’ Joe Ronca into the league’s Hall of Fame.
Current Frontier League Commissioner Steve Tahsler is eager to showcase the new-age Frontier League in an old market where baseball still holds a special place in the Springfield community.
“We are excited to bring Frontier League baseball back to Robin Roberts Stadium. The Capitals have a great legacy with their two championships and developing future St. Louis Cardinals Matt Duff and Jason Simontacchi. I always enjoyed my visits to Springfield and look forward to returning in August,” said Tahsler.
‘Shoes Chief Storyteller Jamie Toole is also thrilled to bring professional baseball back to Springfield as the Lucky Horseshoes organization continues to add to the list of premier, new events happening at Robin Roberts Stadium.
“We’re always looking to host as many events as we can that we believe the community of Springfield would enjoy attending. Having the opportunity to host a professional baseball game, especially one featuring a premier baseball league that once served our local community, was something we couldn’t turn down. The game adds to the numerous signature events we have hosted, and plan on hosting, in Springfield, and we can’t wait to see Robin Roberts Stadium packed on August 13th!” said Toole.
All tickets for the Frontier League contest will cost $12 with zero ticket fees charged at checkout and are on sale now at Tickets.ShoesBaseball.Com.