From the Owner
To Our Fans,
This summer, we celebrate our 5 Year Anniversary playing at Schweickert Stadium at Veteran’s Memorial Park. We certainly have much to be grateful for and to celebrate, including our first Prospect League Championship. It was extra special to be able to win that final game in front of our own fans, and to be able to celebrate that moment as a community. Our catcher that night, Brandon Mahler, caught the final strike from Ottawa’s Jared Herzog and in the post-game euphoria handed me the ball (which sits proudly displayed on my desk). A simple, kind gesture from Brandon but one that captured the spirit and character of the team we had last summer. It was a special group of guys that cared about each other and understood the positive role model they could be in the community. I’m excited to know that we have a significant number of those players back with us this summer.
We are fortunate that our team includes players OFF the field who also epitomize the culture we’ve created and work hard to share our vision of baseball for everyone within the Illinois Valley community and beyond. This incredible core group of talented and hardworking summer Staff and Claw Crew are back in action, joined by some new faces and a stellar intern class, so be sure to say hello when they greet you at the Concession Stand, Beer Tent, Fan Services, or anywhere else!
Our General Manager June Keeley and Assistant General Manager Lucas Burris have been working hard and thoughtfully all year to elevate the fan experience to make sure YOU have a wonderful time each and every time you join us this season. The front entrance of Schweickert Stadium has become an exciting point of arrival where cold drinks, ice cream, and fun greet you. The James Hardie Party Zone is a unique and fun space that finally provides a way to host group outings of all sizes. The Merch Shed’s new location and building makes shopping easier. You can shop from your seat and pick up your items on your way out. New merch items this season range from items for babies to your furry friends and more! You can even bring home our own Short Hop beer or beautiful bottles of Star Union Spirits to enjoy or give as souvenirs.
Let’s have another great summer of coming together to celebrate community through baseball.
WOODHAVEN LAKES
So Much to See. So Much to Do. Hiking Trails. Woodlands. Nature. Lakes. WiFi. Pools. Crafts. Movies. Fitness Center. Prairie. Deer. Pavilions. Arcade. Mini Golf. Day Camp. Tennis. Basketball. Live Music. Theme Activities. Fireworks. Painting Parties. Open Markets. Social Events. Volleyball. Shuffleboard. Teen Dances. Car Show. Paddleboats. Sledding. Farmers Markets. Night Hikes. Campfires. Fishing. Tournaments. Pickleball. Acoustic Nights. Wine & Cheese Social. Road Rally. Golf Outing. 5K/3K. Haunted House. Canoing. Anything That Floats. Horseshoes. Petting Zoo. Wagon Rides. Aqua Zumba. Playgrounds. Karaoke. Family Fun Night. Coffee Hour. Clubs. DJs. Scavenger Hunts. Kayaking. Etc. Canoeing.
John Jakiemiec
Coaching Staff
John Jakiemiec - Team Owner & Field Manager Prospect League 2024 Field Manager of the Year
John Jakiemiec has coached travel, high school, and summer collegiate baseball for several years with many of his former players now playing professionally. Born and raised in Birch Run, MI, John played multiple high school sports before going on to play football at Dartmouth College. During his college years, the baseball team’s roster was filled with several players that would go on to play professionally, including Mike Remlinger, the Giants #1 pick in 1987, and Brad Ausmus, 18 year veteran of MLB and current Yankees’ bench coach.
Coach Jakiemiec is an avid outdoorsman who considers himself to be an elite level educator of white-tailed deer and ducks. For fun, he enjoys a round of golf with friends and is a work in progress when it comes to the guitar picking style of John Prine. He resides in Northern California with his wife Anne and yellow lab Tucker. Anne and John have been blessed with three children: Bryan (former Central Michigan University baseball player), Natalie (University of California Santa Barbara) and Kyle (University of Wisconsin Madison).
Justyn Friday - Assistant Coach
Justyn Friday returns for his 7th summer with the Pistol Shrimp, having started with the team in our inaugural 2019 season. Coach Friday played at Joliet Junior College where he was Captain and a member of the All Region Team. He still holds stolen base records at two different colleges. Formerly a Coach at Aurora Central Catholic High School, he now coaches at Oswego East High School. This past year, he joined the staff at Oswego East High School as a special education teacher, after many years at Hopewell Academy, a school for special needs youth. Coach Friday grew up in Marietta, Georgia but considers Massaschusetts his home. He currently resides in Joliet, Illinois with son Justyn Jr, daughter Sydney, and pitbull Zuri.
Chance Resetich - Assistant Coach
Hall High School baseball standout and 2018 State Champion Chance Resetich has been a mainstay of the Pistol Shrimp’s roster since 2021 when the team moved to the Illinois Valley. This summer, Chance joins the team in a new role as an Assistant Coach.
Chance is a Spring Valley native who played two years at Black Hawk Community College, then transferred to Southeast Missouri State University where he played for two more years. He played his graduate season at Harding University where he finished his baseball playing career. He is a recent graduate of Southeast Missouri State University with his master’s degree and plans on coaching baseball. Chance is excited to help develop players and continue winning championships with the Shrimp!
Pitching Coach Staff
Mark Sheehan - Pitching Coach
Mark Sheehan has trained extensively with former MLB pitcher and pitching coach Dr. Tom House, founder of the National Pitching Association (NPA) and Rod Dedeaux Research Baseball Institute (RDRBI) at the University of Southern California. Coach Sheehan served as the National Director of the NPA from 2015 - 2017 before founding his own academy, Evolution Athletics in Naperville, Illinois. Collegiate Baseball News awarded him the 2014 Teaching Professional of the Year Award. Coach Sheehan has also coached with USA Baseball and Caliendo International Sports where he coaches 15U-17U teams on international trips. As one of the most highly respected and sought after coaches in baseball, he has a vast amount of experience training pitchers from Little League all the way up to the MLB, as well as tutoring MLB and college pitching coaches, and consulting with 6 MLB teams in recent years. A former Lisle, Illinois resident, his home base is currently Pompano Beach, Florida. Of all his accomplishments, Coach Sheehan is most proud of being Dad to his three sons Connor, Quinn, and Nolan.
Ryan Eiermann - Assistant Pitching Coach Prospect League 2021 Pitcher of the Year and 2021 Pro Prospect of the Year
Ryan Eiermann is originally from Chicago, Illinois. After graduating from Naperville Central High School in 2017, he went to play college baseball as a LHP (left handed pitcher) at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. He then transferred to Kankakee Community College in Kankakee, Illinois and for his final year of playing, he attended Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. In High School, he broke the school strikeout record with 118 strikeouts and won Pitcher of the Year honors as a sophomore. He then achieved another strikeout record at Kankakee Community College with 113 strikeouts (8-2 W-L, 77.0 IP, 2.34 ERA, 13 BB). The following summer, Ryan broke the Prospect League strikeout record with 109 strikeouts (8-1 W-L, 68.0 IP, 2.12 ERA, 28 BB) and currently holds that record.
In his free time, Ryan loves fishing and hiking, listening to music and hanging out with his dogs. He is very excited to be back in the Illinois Valley with the Pistol Shrimp as a Coach this time around!
CHECK OUT SOME OF OUR FAVORITE SPONSORS!
Pistol Shrimp Staff
Pistol Shrimp Interns
SouthClaw Sam
Who’s that handsome orange fella, waving an oversized claw, hugging fans and mugging for the camera? Why it’s our one and only beloved mascot, SouthClaw Sam, the 2021 Prospect League Mascot of the Year, of course! The Pistol Shrimp’s precocious mascot turns 7 this season and is so excited that it’s his favorite time of yearbaseball season!
SouthClaw loves game days at Schweickert Stadium when he can meet fans, cheer on the team and hang out with his Illinois Valley YMCA Kids’ Club members. He also enjoys dancing and helping out on the field with activities between innings. Don’t be shy asking to take his photo or a selfie with him - it’s his favorite! Fun Fact - SouthClaw is an officially registered member of the Mascot Hall of Fame.
WHAT THE HECK IS A PISTOL SHRIMP?
It’s Ferocious. It’s Deadly. It’s roughly the size of your finger?
The Pistol Shrimp (Alpheidae) is known as one of the deadliest creatures in the sea. What makes the pistol shrimp so special is its massive claw that is almost the size of its entire body. This claw contains a special mechanism that acts like a super-powered bubble gun. The claw is cocked, and when it’s ready, the claw closes so quickly that it creates a cavitation bubble that has the same temperature as the surface of the sun. The pistol shrimp fires this bubble at its prey at 60 miles per hour stunning or killing it.
The Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp might not be just as deadly but they are just as dangerous.
#FearTheClaw
Prospect League WORD FIND
League WORD
POSITION
NUMBERS
Pitcher - 1
Catcher - 2
First Base - 3
Second Base - 4
Third Base - 5
Shortstop - 6
Left Field - 7
Center Field - 8
Right Field - 9
Designated Hitter - DH
BASIC SCORE KEEPING
BATTER SHORTHAND
1B - Single
2B - Double
3B - Triple
HR - Home Run
BB - Walk
K - Strikeout Swinging
K (backward) - Strikeout Called by Umpire
DP - Double Play
FC - Fielder’s Choice
F - Flyout
RBI - Run Batted In
SB - Stolen Base
E - Error
If a batter hits a single write 1B outside the diamond and darken the line from home plate to first. If the runner on first advances to second darken the line from first to second, and so on until the runner gets home, If the runner scores, fill in the diamond with your pencil.
If a batter strikes out, write a “K” in the middle of the diamond. If that batter was the first out, write a “1” with a circle around it. Indicate subsequent outs in similar fashion.
If the batter hits a grounder to the pitcher and the pitcher fields it and throws to first base, the out would be recorded by writing “1-3” across the diamond.
If a batter flys out, write “F” followed by the fielder who caught the ball such as “F8.”
SCORECARD
Gage Allen
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-3
Weight: 180 lbs
Hometown: Auburndale, FL
College: Polk State College Year: Junior
Cash Campbell
Position: IF
Bats/Throws: L/R
Height: 6-1
Weight: 215 lbs
Hometown: Downers
Grove, IL
College: University of Iowa Year: Freshman
Tyler Deleskiewicz
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-4
Weight: 240 lbs
Hometown: Genoa City, WI
College: University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Year: Junior
Jake Ferguson
Position: IF Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 5-11
Weight: 185 lbs
Hometown: Mill Valley, CA
College: Eastern Illinois University Year: Senior
Kyle Gibson
Position: IF Bats/Throws: L/R
Height: 5-11
Weight: 190 lbs
Hometown: Niles, IL
College: Illinois State University Year: Senior
Kollin Asbury
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-4
Weight: 215 lbs
Hometown: Potomac, IL
College: Kankakee
Community College Year: Freshman
Jake Catalano
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-4
Weight: 200 lbs
Hometown: Brookfield, WI
College: Milwaukee Area
Technical College Year: Sophomore
Tyler Dorsch
Position: OF Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-0
Weight: 195 lbs
Hometown: Phoeniz, AZ
College: Concordia
University Chicago Year: Senior
Kolton Floor
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 5-10
Weight: 190 lbs
Hometown: Peru, IN
College: Kankakee
Community College Year: Sophomore
Amir Gray
Position: IF Bats/Throws: L/R
Height: 6-0
Weight: 195 lbs
Hometown: South Holland, IL
College: Purdue University Year: Sophomore
Peyton Burgh
Position: OF
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 5-10
Weight: 195 lbs
Hometown: Arlington Heights, IL
College: North Central College Year: Sophomore
Danny Cihocki
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-3
Weight: 195 lbs
Hometown: Princeton, IL
College: Northern Illinois University Year: Sophomore
Ben Fawcett
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-0
Weight: 190 lbs
Hometown: Long Grove, IL
College: John A. Logan College Year: Freshman
D’Andre Gaines
Position: OF Bats/Throws: R/L
Height: 6-0
Weight: 185 lbs
Hometown: San Pablo, CA
College: Mid-America
Christian University Year: Junior
Jared Herzog
Position: LHP
Bats/Throws: L/L
Height: 6-0
Weight: 190 lbs
Hometown: Ottawa, IL
College: Tennessee Tech University Year: Senior
Colin Horneman
Position: C
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-0
Weight: 170 lbs
Hometown: St. John, IN
College: Eastern Illinois University Year: Senior
Bryce Loeger
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-3
Weight: 210 lbs
Hometown: Schaumburg, IL
College: Dartmouth College Year: Freshman
Thomas Lynch
Position: C
Bats/Throws: L/R
Height: 6-0
Weight: 205 lbs
Hometown: Evansville, IN
College: Purdue University Year: Freshman
Aamir Mitchell
Position: IF
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-4
Weight: 205 lbs
Hometown: Detroit, MI
College: Lansing
Community College Year: Sophomore
Alejandro Puig
Position: IF
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-0
Weight: 178 lbs
Hometown: Pembroke
Pines, FL
College: Dartmouth College Year: Freshman
Justin Lang
Position: IF
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-2
Weight: 185 lbs
Hometown: Palos
Heights, IL
College: North Central College Year: Freshman
Camden Loomis
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 5-11
Weight: 160 lbs
Hometown: Ottawa, IL
College: North Central College Year: Freshman
Brandon Mahler
Position: C
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 5-11
Weight: 195 lbs
Hometown: Vernon Hills, IL
College: Concordia University Chicago Year: Junior
Draven Nushida
Position: OF Bats/Throws: L/R
Height: 5-10
Weight: 170 lbs
Hometown: Kailua, HI
College: University of Hawai’i at Manoa Year: Junior
Chase Reeder
Position: LHP
Bats/Throws: R/L
Height: 6-1
Weight: 200 lbs
Hometown: Naperville, IL
College: Illinois State University Year: Freshman
Bryce Legel
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-3
Weight: 200 lbs
Hometown: Wheaton, IL
College: Indiana Wesleyan University Year: Freshman
James
Love
Position: IF
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-2
Weight: 205 lbs
Hometown: Joliet, IL
College: Eastern Illinois University Year: Freshman
Kyler Miritello
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-3
Weight: 210 lbs
Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
College: North Texas Community College Year: Sophomore
Conner Prahl
Position: IF
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-6
Weight: 220 lbs
Hometown: Brighton, MI
College: Lansing
Community College Year: Sophomore
Andrew Ressler
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-1
Weight: 205 lbs
Hometown: Huntley, IL
College: Southern Illinois
University Edwardsville Year: Sophomore
Joe Richardson
Position: LHP
Bats/Throws: L/L
Height: 6-1
Weight: 205 lbs
Hometown: Grayslake, IL
College: Eastern Illinois University Year: Sophomore
Jack Savitch
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-0
Weight: 180 lbs
Hometown: Spring Valley, IL
College: Louisiana State
University in Shreveport Year: Junior
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-2
Weight: 195 lbs
Hometown: Monticello, IL
College: Illinois State University Year: Freshman
Nick Weaver
Position: C
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-1
Weight: 190 lbs
Hometown: Streamwood, IL
College: Elgin Community College Year: Sophomore
Position: LHP
Bats/Throws: R/L
Height: 6-2
Weight: 160 lbs
Hometown: Ladd, IL
College: Des Moines Area Community College Year: Freshman
Jared Rodriguez
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 5-10
Weight: 185 lbs
Hometown: Addison, IL
College: John Wood
Community College Year: Freshman
Ryan Seddon
Position: OF
Bats/Throws: L/L
Height: 6-0
Weight: 185 lbs
Hometown: Joliet, IL
College: University of Evansville Year: Freshman
Jackson Ugo
Position: LHP
Bats/Throws: L/L
Height: 6-1
Weight: 190 lbs
Hometown: Tinley Park, IL
College: Murray State University Year: Freshman
AJ Weller
Position: IF
Bats/Throws: L/R
Height: 5-11
Weight: 195 lbs
Hometown: Geneseo, IL
College: Illinois State University Year: Freshman
Henry Rouch
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-5
Weight: 195 lbs
Hometown: Evanston, IL
College: Lafayette College Year: Freshman
Brent Stukes
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 5-11
Weight: 165 lbs
Hometown: Gaston, SC
College: North Greenville University Year: Sophomore
Chas Veley
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-0
Weight: 175 lbs
Hometown: Corte Madera, CA
College: College of Marin Year: Freshman
Hudson White
Position: LHP
Bats/Throws: R/L
Height: 6-4
Weight: 205 lbs
Hometown: St. John’s, NL, Canada
College: Illinois State University Year: Freshman
Luke Teschke
Izzaq Zrust
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