Baseball DIY

A Missouri summer begets the three “h”’s: “heat,” “humidity,” and good old-fashioned “hardball.” The River City Rascals, founded in 1999 and located in O’Fallon Missouri, continue Missouri’s tradition of family-friendly baseball that stretches back to the St. Louis Unions and Empires teams of the 1860s. The Rascals are part of the 12-team Frontier League, an independent organization that has produced such major league talent as former St. Louis Cardinal Jason Simontacchi. Though the Rascals’ 2004 campaign ended with a 51-43 record and a fourth-place finish within their division, the team finished second in the League in batting average and scored the most runs (592). The rip-roaring offense and good times attracted a record number of fans to the Ozzie Smith Sports Complex, as Rascals attendance totaled 185,333, the second highest total in the League and the team’s best ever. This season certainly will see increases both in the Rascals’ wins and fan attendance.

The 2005 Rascals come from far afield (California, Idaho, Florida, and North Carolina each have one or more representatives on the River City bench) and from the local area: Mike Conner, who ranked tenth in the League in batting average last season, hails from right here in Wentzville. Encouraging fan/player interaction, the River City Rascals’ Web site (www.rivercityrascals.com) gives fans the ability to “E-mail a Rascal,” so fans can ask their favorite players questions or just tell them “Way to go!” after a particularly well-played game.

Of course, there’s more to do at a Rascals game than watch the game. Ruffy the Rascal keeps the fans entertained throughout the proceedings, and the St. Louis Children’s Hospital KidsZone is a must for the young and young-at-heart. The KidsZone features playground equipment, batting cages, and hockey and soccer games. Throughout the season, the KidsZone welcomes various face painters, clowns, and magicians, so it’s always worth checking out.

As with all minor league teams, promotions figure prominently in the Rascals’ schedule. During a May 20 preseason game against the rival Gateway Grizzlies, the Rascals installed Mike Skorlich in center field. Fans would have looked in vain for Skorlich’s name in their programs, as he won the Rascals’ eBay auction for the right to be a Rascal for a day (all proceeds of the auction went to the United Way; Skorlich went 0-for-2 at the plate and played a…unique center field). July promotions include Century Tel Mini Bat Giveaway on Friday, July 8; Executive Tans Tuesday on the 19th; Domino's Pizza Wild Wednesdays on the 20th and 27th; and the TR Hughes Building Company/ Twenty-Four7 Sports Tribute to Negro League- t-shirt giveaway on Friday, July 29.

Though all River City Rascals games can be heard on 104.5 FM KSLQ, the best way to experience Frontier League baseball is in person. The Ozzie Smith Sports Complex is located just off I-70 at the T. R. Hughes Boulevard exit; designed by renowned stadium architects HOK Sport (the same firm that designed the new Busch Stadium), the stadium has everything except a bad seat in the house. Games played Monday—Thursday start at 7:05 p.m. (giving you plenty of time to get changed after a long day at work), while Sunday games begin at 6:05 p.m. Ticket prices range from $9 club seats to $5 general admission passes (bring a lawn chair!).

Remember: it’s only baseball season five months a year. Root on your Rascals before autumn sneaks in. And when you go, go orange!