Southern Illinois News

GOP gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey is applauding Marion leaders for bringing a team to replace the departed Southern Illinois Miners.  

“When the Southern Illinois Miners baseball team shut down, it was devastating news to not just Marion, but to all of southern Illinois,” Bailey said in a statement. “The Miners provided a fun and affordable night out for families. But instead of waiting around for something to happen, business and community leaders in Marion went to work and have landed a new team and a new opportunity for southern Illinois.”

Bailey said if elected governor, he would prioritize economic growth and development.

“We also need local leaders to step up and help make things happen in their communities and I am excited for the City of Marion that so many people are doing just that. The new team certainly is exciting news for the entire Southern Illinois region,” he said.

Rent One Park is creating a local baseball team to bring the sport back to Marion. 

“Next summer, Marion will be home to a brand-new baseball team in a collegiate, wooden bat baseball league. This is top-flight baseball. Players come from colleges across the country to play. The players use wooden bats because Major League Baseball scouts want to see how the college stars do with the same bats the pros use,” Rent One Park General Manager Dave Kost said, according to WSIL-TV.

The Miners went out of operation after the 2021 season. The team was a member of the West Division of the independent Frontier League.

Following the departure of the Miners, Rent One Park was sold, according to Ballpark Digest.

“Sports tourism is one of the things we have found to be a huge draw for people,” Rodney Cabaness, partner in Marion Center Project LLC, told city commissioners of his group's purchase of the arena. “We decided with the retail and entertainment development, sports tourism really fits and needs to be part of what we are doing. The stadium will be the cornerstone to sports tourism.”