“Joliet Slammers” Not Most Popular in Naming Contest

New Frontier League team gives nod to prison system

The name chosen for the Chicago-areas newest baseball team wasn't the most popular.

More than 1,000 fans sent in roughly 300 suggestions in the 10-day contest to name Joliet's new Frontier League team.

Chosen: The Slammers.

But the most popular name -- the alliteration-drawing Joliet Jailbirds -- was also the moniker that drew the most negative feedback, the team said.

Also getting the thumbs up from fans was the Joliet Jakes, based on John Belushi's character in the film "The Blues Brothers," but that's copyrighted.

Ultimately, team management decided that the Joliet Slammers was the best fit for the team. 

"It doesn’t have the negative connotation of some of the other names that were suggested, and it plays into both the history of our area and to baseball, " said General Manager John Dittrich.

The new logo and mascot won’t come out for another month, but marketers are already taking full advantage of the nod to Joliet’s famous prison system.

The team will play ball at Silver Cross Field, taking the place of the financially distressed Joliet Jackhammers.

The Slammers have a lot of work to do to catch up with the Frontier League champion River City Rascals, but they may already have a leg up in the nickname department over the Traverse City Beach Bums and the Normal Cornbelters.

The first slogan: "You won’t feel like you have to rob a bank to enjoy the Slammers!"

Season tickets are already on sale. Individual seats go on sale in March, and run about $5 to $10. Call 815-722-BATS or go to www.silvercrossfield.com for more info.

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