Concessions, giveaways and more: Your guide to the Gateway Grizzlies 2023 season
Since 2001, the Gateway Grizzlies have been offering families a cost-friendly, fun way to spend a summer evening at the ballpark.
The organization is about to embark on its 22nd season and here is a guide to help you enjoy what the Grizzlies have to offer:
Season opener: Thursday, May 11, on the road against the Florence Y’alls out of Florence, Kentucky. First pitch is set for 5:34 p.m.
Home opener: Thursday, May 16, vs. the Schaumburg Boomers. First pitch is set for 6:45 p.m. The promotion on opening night at Grizzlies Ballpark is Dinger Derby (9 and under). For more information on that, visit https://gatewaygrizzlies.com/Promotions/Dinger_Derby.
Single game tickets: Field reserve box seat ($16 in advance; $17 day of game; $20 on SuperShow Nights); bleacher seat ($11 in advance; $12 day of game; $16 on SuperShow Nights); general admission ($10 in advance; $11 day of game; $14 on SuperShow Nights); and reserved picnic table ($66 for 6 tickets or $88 for 8 tickets; SuperShow Nights are $78 for 6 tickets or $104 for 8 tickets).
Ticket packages: Along with single game tickets, the Grizzlies offer a wide range of ticket packages, including Family Four Pack ($95); party suite packages (minimum of 15 tickets; $20 per ticket Sunday-Thursday; for an extra $40 per ticket, people can go all-inclusive.For more information, visit https://www.gatewaygrizzlies.com/Tickets/SingleGameTickets.
Promotions: For every home game, the Grizzlies will have some type of promotion. This includes Stan the Man Night, Belleville Night, Christmas in July, National Rescue Dog Day, St. Louis Browns Night, Halloween Night, Back to School Bash, Rock ‘N Roll Night, Pride Night, United Way Night, Margaritaville Night, and Harry Potter Night and many more. For a complete list of promotions, visit https://www.gatewaygrizzlies.com/Promotions/Promotion_Schedule.
Menu: Grizzlies Stadium is well-known for the fare offered. Among the notables are Baseball’s Best Burger — which features a thick hamburger sandwiched between a doughnut — and Baseball’s Best Nachos to include philly cheesesteak nachos, pork nachos, taco nachos, & buffalo chicken nachos. These items pair with the standard ballpark items such as the super dog, bratwurst, cheeseburgers, bacon cheeseburgers, hamburgers, nachos, popcorn, pizza and Bobby’s Frozen Custard. Baseball’s Best Burger can be found at Baseball’s Best Grill located next to the Kids Zone at Grizzlies Ballpark.
Get it on the go: The Grizzlies are introducing Ordr, a quick-service mobile app that lets customers order food and beverages right from their seats.
Manager: Steve Brook, 2nd season
2022 record: 47-49
Top returning players (2022 stats listed): Clint Freeman (INF, .246, 16 HR, 48 RBI); Andrew Penner (OF, .279, 9 HR, 38 RBI); Peter Zimmerman (INF, .235, 9 HR, 25 RBI); Lukas Veinbergs (RHP, 6-1, 3.03 earned run average); Sam Gardner (RHP, 6-2, 4.61 ERA); Carson LaRue (RHP, 5-5, 4.77 ERA
Home field: Grizzlies Ballpark; this changed in 2023 from GCS Credit Union Ballpark.
First year of existence: 2001
Location: Sauget
League: Frontier League
Division: Frontier League West
Division championships: 3 (2003, 2007 & 2012)
Frontier League championships: 1 (2003)
All-time record: 851-828 (there was no season in 2020 due to COVID)
Playoff record: 10-12 (3 division titles, 5 playoff appearances, 1 championship)
Major League Baseball product: Mater Dei graduate Trevor Richards played 9 games for the Grizzlies in 2015-16 and is a current member of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Mascot: Izzy the Grizzlie
Ownership: Rich Sauget
Address: 2301 Grizzlie Bear Blvd.; Sauget, IL 62206.
Directions: The ballpark is located off I-255, Exit 15 (Mousette Lane). Turn left at stop sign onto Mousette Lane. Turn left onto Goose Lake Road. Turn right onto Grizzlie Bear Blvd. Stadium is on the left.
Phone number: 618-337-3000
Website: https://www.gatewaygrizzlies.com/landing/index.
