Mound City Messenger

Gateway Grizzlies’ Season Set to Begin in Sauget

by · Published · Updated

Photo by Glenn Burleigh

Hello, Metro St. Louis baseball fans! Welcome to another year of Gateway Grizzlies baseball coverage here at the Mound City Messenger.

Major League Baseball’s 2026 season is well underway, but the soon-to-be-renamed Frontier League* is still a few weeks away from starting its 2026 season. Our very own Gateway Grizzlies will start on the road, with three games against the Mississippi Mud Monsters in Jackson, MS. That series is on the weekend of May 7th, 8th, and 9th. This makes for a somewhat awkward home opener on a Tuesday night, May 12th, against the Joliet Slammers at Arsenal BG Ballpark in Sauget, IL. 

Odd as it may be to have a home opener on a Tuesday, there will still be lots to look forward to! 

Their Facebook page promises:

  • A re-energized game day atmosphere
  • Enhanced entertainment throughout the ballpark
  • The return of high-level, competitive baseball
  • A spectacular postgame fireworks show to close out the night
  • Rally towel giveaway

Opening day game time is 6:30 PM Tuesday, May 12th. 

The Grizzlies series against Joliet runs thoughTuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Then, the Windy City Thunderbolts blow into town from Chicago for a weekend series, Friday, May 15th, through Sunday the 17th.  

The family-friendly activities planned for that first weekend are:

  • Friday the 15th is Touch-a-Truck Night where fans can “get an up-close look at an exciting lineup of fire trucks, police vehicles, and other impressive trucks and equipment before the game.”  Team also advertises that the evening will also feature   a “magnet schedule giveaway and post-game fireworks for fans to enjoy!”
  • Saturday will be Star Wars Night at the stadium. 
  • Sunday is American Heart Association day. From the Grizzlie’s Facebook page says the evening will feature a pre-game parade and a post-game opportunity for kids to take the field and run the bases at Arsenal BG Ballpark.

Follow the Grizzlies on Facebook for a chance to win great prizes and keep up to date on all the team’s latest news.

Hope to see you at the ballgame!

* The Frontier League will be the National Association of Professional Baseball (NAPB) in 2027.

A close-up portrait of a man with glasses and a beard, wearing a cap. The background features a garden with greenery and outdoor lighting.

Joe Thebeau is taking on the role of grizzled Gateway Grizzlies correspondent. Joe’s contribution to local media has primarily been in the form of music writing, recording, and performing in his band Finn’s Motel. He’s also a lifelong baseball fan and Red State Refugee who has relocated to the Metro East.

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