MARION – After more than 7,000 votes, much debate and great anticipation, we will finally know what the name of Marion’s Prospect League Baseball team will be tonight at what’s being called “The Big Reveal Party” at Rent One Park.

Back in August, ballpark officials announced that a Prospect League team would call Marion home in 2023.

In December, ballpark officials released five names for the team that the public could vote on. They were Angry Beavers, Fungi, Monkey Rats, Swamp Foxes and Thrillbillies. Will it be one of those names or something completely different? Officials are keeping a tight lid on the name until tonight’s announcement.

Last month, former Southern Illinois Miner player Ralph Santana was named the team’s Field Manager. Santana will also assume responsibilities as General Manager and Pro Instructor at SI Elite, a softball and baseball training academy based in Marion.

“The Big Reveal Party” will be free to the public. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with the big announcement happening at 6:30 p.m.

Tonight’s events include:

– The first 1,000 visitors through the Rent One Park gates receive a FREE ticket to the new team’s Inaugural Home Opening Game.
– Inaugural Season Tickets will go on sale.
– Exclusive, Official Team Merchandise will also be available for purchase.
– Free MTN DEW, courtesy of Pepsi MidAmerica
– Free popcorn

The organization also added a bit of mystique to the new name announcement and “The Big Reveal Party” with a special, 60 second film that’s been airing on local media and YouTube over the past several days. It was created in collaboration with the Southern Illinois based film company Guerrilla Film. You can also see it on the Rent One Park Facebook page and at www.ThereAreOthers.net.

Marion has been without baseball since 2021 when the owners of the Frontier League’s Southern Illinois Miners, Jayne and John Simmons, retired and folded the team. The Miners began play at Rent One Park in 2007.

The Prospect League season gets underway May 31.