Bill Murray, Veecks To Make Joliet Slammers Summer's Hottest Ticket

JOLIET, IL — Last September, Netflix released a new sports movie called "The Saint of Second Chances" about Mike Veeck, whose late father, Bill, once owned the Chicago White Sox. What a turn of events since then: Mike Veeck, along with his son, Night Train, and Hollywood mega star Bill Murray are now the proud owners of the Joliet Slammers.

Friday night marks the start of the new Joliet Slammers baseball season, and the Veecks are legendary for their wacky promotions that fill the seats at their baseball parks and leave you laughing and smiling throughout the game, even if your hometown team isn't winning.

On Wednesday, Night Train Veeck met with Joliet Patch's editor to discuss the upcoming season, his family's first in Joliet. The new schedule is loaded with fan promotions. There are changes to the concession menu, and before the month's end, the Veecks intend to reopen the long-dormant concessions stand behind the left field fence.

"Beyond excited," Night Train told Joliet Patch. "These were the days we were put on this planet. We want to be the front porch of the community. It's one of those places that for people who haven't been here awhile to come back out to."

On the concessions front, Tom Wyler of Wyler BBQ, Joliet's Sunshine Mexican Cafe along with The Creamery are all returning as food vendors for this 2024 Slammers season. But there are some changes on the horizon for the food menu that Night Train wants to talk about.

As a result of a new partnership with U.S. Foods, "we've got a new hot dog that I think is really wonderful. Crumbl Cookies and Big Mozz mozzarella sticks and Home Run Inn Pizza. Promotions wise, we're really looking forward to opening day, Princess Night, Star Wars Night, Ghostbusters Night July 25 and (Taylor) Swiftie Night June 21. All fans named Taylor and Travis get in free."

And that's just the start of the long list of promotions and giveaways the Veecks have lined up, so far.

Hispanic Heritage Night is another big one, July 5th. And of course, there's the Mystery Bobblehead Giveaway set for July 6.

"And that's going to be great," Night Train promised. "That one is going to become slightly more clear as we get closer to that date."

For sure, Night Train said his father, the former long-time owner of the St. Paul Saints, will be in Joliet this weekend to celebrate the start of the new Frontier League season. Friday night's opening game includes fireworks. The Veecks intend to host Friday night fireworks throughout the home season in downtown Joliet, across from the Gateway Transportation Center.

"He'll be around to show the community that the Slammers are back in town and keep the wonderful momentum that has been going," Night Train said of his father. "We've been very lucky to be so welcomed by the community, the City Council and Mayor (Terry D'Arcy) and we want to earn that momentum and trust that they've given us every day."

Night Train stressed that the Slammers have plenty of contests and free giveaways planned in between innings "and look for those to turn up throughout the season. We've got a couple of new ones for sponsors."

The Joliet Slammers have 48 home games at Duly Health and Care Field, and 10 of those are fireworks nights.

"And we're big fans of fireworks," Night Train said with a giant smile.

The quality of baseball on the field should also be impressive, Night Train said.

The new ownership team recruited Mike Pinto to become the new Joliet Slammers manager. Pinto is the winningest all-time manager in the Frontier League.

This week, the Slammers learned that former pitcher Chris Roycroft got called up to the St. Louis Cardinals, making him the third Slammers player to join a Major League team.

When the Veecks ran the St. Paul Saints, their games were wild and crazy and their stadium often drew 8,000 to 8,500 fans. Some of their unbelievable promotions included a pig mascot, Ozempig. They also had a Catholic nun who became known as Sister Roz, "The Massaging Nun" to give fans massages during their St. Paul Saints games.

Night Train said his goal for 2024 includes "a few sellouts and obviously, I think a few of our few promotions, too, will help that. The new experiences will help that. Adding the concessions in left field should be another attraction to have that back in action."

The Joliet Slammers will also debut mobile concessions ordering for fans in their stadium suites and "a grab and go mobile ordering on our main concourse."

"Both season tickets and group sales have picked up overall, and I think that the season is starting, they will only grow faster," Night Train explained. "And with Mike Pinto, the winningest manager in the Frontier League as our manager, I think that's the beginning of a real strong core of a team. I think we'll have fun on the field."

Joliet Slammers first game is Friday, May 10. The game starts at 6:35 p.m. against the Evansville Otters. Friday's gates open for fans at 5:35 p.m.

Saturday's game starts at 6:05 p.m. and Sunday's game is at 1:05 p.m.

"If you're a baseball purist, get a seat in the front row and get your scorecard out, and if you're not, we've got fireworks, and we've got giveaways," Night Train said of Friday's opener. "The thing we care about most is that you leave here having had fun and with a smile on your face."

You can walk up and buy tickets on the dates of home games at the stadium box office. Otherwise, to see the team's promotion schedule, visit the website for the Joliet Slammers.

Joliet Patch asked how many Slammers game Bill Murray will attend this year.

"Come on down and find out," Night Train responded. "He's been known to show up at his ball clubs several times, and he may or may not be here for opening night."

Related Joliet Patch coverage of 2024 Joliet Slammers season:

Swiftie Night, Ghostbusters Night, 10 Nights Of Fireworks: Slammers

Comedian Bill Murray To Become New Joliet Slammers Co-Owner

New Manager For Joliet Slammers — And He's A Winner