Lake County Fielders
Encyclopedia
The Lake County Fielders are a professional minor league baseball team based in Zion, Illinois
, located in Lake County
in the northern reaches of the Chicago area. The Fielders are owned by Grand Slam Sports & Entertainment, LLC; based in Deerfield
; the primary owner is Rich Ehrenreich, and actor
Kevin Costner
, whose vast filmography includes baseball films Bull Durham
(1988), Field of Dreams
(1989), and For Love of the Game
(1999) has a small ownership interest in the team. Its managing partner is Richard Ehrenreich founder and long-time owner of the team's biggest rival Schaumburg Flyers
.
The Fielders were a member of the Northern League from 2009 to 2010 and joined the newly formed North American League
in 2011 and became a part of the Northern Division.
The team is currently operating its front office and retail store out of Gurnee Mills Mall
. Season, and single game tickets are currently on sale at the store along with various merchandise items.
because of funding problems with Zion Ballpark. The Fielders played their first game in Zion on July 2, 2010, at a young Fielders Stadium that didn't include much more than a field and bleachers. Lights were added to the field, and the Fielders played their first night game on Monday, July, 26.
After the conclusion of the 2010 season, the temporary ballpark was completely dismantled and a construction on a new, permanent stadium was begun. The park was not ready in time for the beginning of the 2011 season, and, as a result, the Fielders started the season with a 32-game road trip. Temporary stadium construction was again completed in time for the Fielders' home opener on July 3, 2011.
indoor waterpark in nearby Gurnee
, also home to Gurnee Mills
and Six Flags Great America
.
(1220) and wkrs.com with Qumar Zaman (Quit on air over financial disputes)and Les Grobstein (some games) on the play-by-play.
North American League
Zion, Illinois
Zion is a city in Lake County, Illinois, United States. The population was 22,866 at the 2000 census, and estimated at 24,303 as of 2005. The city was founded in July 1901 by John Alexander Dowie. He also started the Zion Tabernacle of the Christian Catholic Apostolic Church, which was the only...
, located in Lake County
Lake County, Illinois
Lake County is a county in the northeastern corner of the state of Illinois, on the shore of Lake Michigan. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 703,462, which is an increase of 9.2% from 644,356 in 2000. Its county seat is Waukegan. The county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area...
in the northern reaches of the Chicago area. The Fielders are owned by Grand Slam Sports & Entertainment, LLC; based in Deerfield
Deerfield, Illinois
Deerfield is a village in Lake County, Illinois, United States and is located approximately 25 miles north of Chicago, Illinois. A portion of the village is in Cook County, Illinois, United States...
; the primary owner is Rich Ehrenreich, and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner
Kevin Michael Costner is an American actor, singer, musician, producer, director, and businessman. He has been nominated for three BAFTA Awards, won two Academy Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. Costner's roles include Lt. John J...
, whose vast filmography includes baseball films Bull Durham
Bull Durham
Bull Durham is a 1988 American romantic comedy baseball film. It is based upon the minor league experiences of writer/director Ron Shelton and depicts the players and fans of the Durham Bulls, a minor league baseball team in Durham, North Carolina....
(1988), Field of Dreams
Field of Dreams
Field of Dreams is a 1989 American fantasy-drama film directed by Phil Alden Robinson and is from the novel Shoeless Joe by W. P. Kinsella...
(1989), and For Love of the Game
For Love of the Game (film)
For Love of the Game is a 1999 American drama sports film based on the novel of the same title by Michael Shaara...
(1999) has a small ownership interest in the team. Its managing partner is Richard Ehrenreich founder and long-time owner of the team's biggest rival Schaumburg Flyers
Schaumburg Flyers
The Schaumburg Flyers were a professional baseball team based in Schaumburg, Illinois, in the United States. The Flyers were to be a charter member of the North American League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, however, the team folded in March of 2011, before they began play in...
.
The Fielders were a member of the Northern League from 2009 to 2010 and joined the newly formed North American League
North American League
The North American League is an independent baseball league that began play in the 2011 season...
in 2011 and became a part of the Northern Division.
The team is currently operating its front office and retail store out of Gurnee Mills Mall
Gurnee Mills
Gurnee Mills is an indoor mall, established in Gurnee, Illinois. It's located about halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a 40 minute drive either way, and near Six Flags Great America. It is a single-level Z-shaped mall. At of gross leasable area, it is the fourth largest mall in...
. Season, and single game tickets are currently on sale at the store along with various merchandise items.
Ballpark (Temporary)
The Fielders began play in 2010 at Carthage CollegeCarthage College
Carthage College is a private liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Situated in Kenosha, Wisconsin midway between Chicago, Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the campus is on the shore of Lake Michigan and is home to 2,500 full-time and 900 part-time...
because of funding problems with Zion Ballpark. The Fielders played their first game in Zion on July 2, 2010, at a young Fielders Stadium that didn't include much more than a field and bleachers. Lights were added to the field, and the Fielders played their first night game on Monday, July, 26.
After the conclusion of the 2010 season, the temporary ballpark was completely dismantled and a construction on a new, permanent stadium was begun. The park was not ready in time for the beginning of the 2011 season, and, as a result, the Fielders started the season with a 32-game road trip. Temporary stadium construction was again completed in time for the Fielders' home opener on July 3, 2011.
Founding
The team held a name-the-team contest to decide the nickname. The five finalists were Cowpokes, Luckies, Fielders, Comets, and Skippers. The Fielders name, logo, and colors were unveiled on May 27, 2009 at the Key Lime CoveKey Lime Cove
Key Lime Cove is a resort and waterpark in Gurnee, Illinois near the Six Flags park. Key Lime Cove is listed as the "Official Resort of Six Flags Great America"....
indoor waterpark in nearby Gurnee
Gurnee, Illinois
Gurnee is a village in Lake County, Illinois, United States. The population was 28,834 at the 2000 census, and estimated to be 30,772 in 2005. The village borders the city of Waukegan and is considered a part of the Chicago metropolitan area. Gurnee is perhaps best known for being the location of...
, also home to Gurnee Mills
Gurnee Mills
Gurnee Mills is an indoor mall, established in Gurnee, Illinois. It's located about halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a 40 minute drive either way, and near Six Flags Great America. It is a single-level Z-shaped mall. At of gross leasable area, it is the fourth largest mall in...
and Six Flags Great America
Six Flags Great America
Six Flags Great America is a Six Flags theme park in the Chicago metropolitan area, located in Gurnee, Illinois. It first opened in 1976 as Marriott's Great America. Six Flags purchased the park from the Marriott Corporation in 1984, making it the seventh park in the chain...
.
Media
Fielder games are broadcast live on WKRS-AMWKRS
WKRS is a radio station broadcasting a news talk information format. Licensed to Waukegan, Illinois, USA, the station is currently owned by NextMedia Group through its licensee NM Licensing LLC, and features programing from Citadel Media, Dial Global, and Westwood One.WKRS carries many popular...
(1220) and wkrs.com with Qumar Zaman (Quit on air over financial disputes)and Les Grobstein (some games) on the play-by-play.
Northern League (2010)
- Joshua Short - 2010 Rookie of the Year
- Joshua Short - 2010 End of Year All-Star Team (DH)
North American League (2011-Present)
- C.J. Ziegler (also with Calgary VipersCalgary VipersThe Calgary Vipers were a professional baseball team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They were part of the Western Division of the independent North American League. The Vipers have played all of their home games at Foothills Stadium. Previously, the Vipers played in the Northern League from...
) - 2011 End of Year All-Star Team (1B) - Travis Weaver (also with Lincoln SaltdogsLincoln SaltdogsThe Lincoln Saltdogs are a professional baseball team based in Lincoln, Nebraska, in the United States. The Saltdogs are a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
(AA)) - Baseball AmericaBaseball AmericaBaseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
Top 10 Independent League Prospect
Current roster
Contracts Purchased by MLB
- Zach Ward (Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
) (2010) - Vince Bongiovanni (Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
) (2011) (after trade to Lincoln SaltdogsLincoln SaltdogsThe Lincoln Saltdogs are a professional baseball team based in Lincoln, Nebraska, in the United States. The Saltdogs are a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
)
Managers
- Fran Riordan (41-59 .410 Pct.) (2010)
- Tim "TJ" JohnsonTim Johnson (baseball)Timothy Evald Johnson is a former professional baseball player and manager. A shortstop and utility infielder in Major League Baseball from 1973-79, he became better known as a manager when he was caught lying about his service in the Vietnam War.- Playing career :After signing with the Los...
(24-13 .649 Pct.) (2011)
- Pete LaCockPete LaCockRalph Pierre "Pete" LaCock, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball first baseman/outfielder.In 1975, he hit the only grand slam of his career, on the final pitch ever thrown by St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Bob Gibson.-Career:LaCock was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the first round of the 1970...
(0-1 .000 Pct.) (Interim) (2011) - Chris Thompson (0-1 .000 Pct.) (Interim) (2011)
- Chris Arago (3-20 .130 Pct.) (2011 - Present)
Northern League (2010)
- 2010 - tied for 7th place with Schaumburg FlyersSchaumburg FlyersThe Schaumburg Flyers were a professional baseball team based in Schaumburg, Illinois, in the United States. The Flyers were to be a charter member of the North American League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, however, the team folded in March of 2011, before they began play in...
(also owned by Rich Ehrenreich)
North American LeagueNorth American LeagueThe North American League is an independent baseball league that began play in the 2011 season...
(North Division) (2011-Present)
- 2011 - 4th place (Pct.), 5th place (Wins) (did not finish official regular season)
External links
- Official Lake County Fielders website
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-Fielders/
- http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=22b2f5bc