Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp Explained

Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp
League:Prospect League
Division:Western Conference – Northwest Division
Location:Peru, Illinois
Stadium:Veterans Memorial Park
League Champs:1 (2024)
Series:Division
Series Champs:2 (2022, 2024)
Colors:Orange and Black
Owner:John Jakiemiec
Manager:John Jakiemiec
General Manager:June Keeley

The Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp are a collegiate summer league baseball team in the Prospect League.[1] They play at Veterans Memorial Park in Peru, Illinois, United States. The Pistol Shrimp formed in Lisle, Illinois, in late 2018 as an expansion franchise for the 2019 season, under the name DuPage Pistol Shrimp. They and other collegiate summer leagues and teams exist to give top college players professional-like experience without affecting NCAA eligibility.

DuPage County's previous team in the Prospect League, the DuPage Drones, suspended operations after the 2017 season, leaving the city without a team for the 2018 season. After a division championship appearance in 2019 and a cancelled season in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pistol Shrimp relocated to Peru, Illinois for the 2021 season, citing possible attendance limitations in DuPage County related to the pandemic.[2] Shortly after the conclusion of the 2021 season, the Pistol Shrimp confirmed they'd return to the Illinois Valley for the 2022 season.

The Pistol Shrimp play in the Prospect League's Western Conference – Northwest Division along with the Burlington Bees, Clinton LumberKings, and Springfield Lucky Horseshoes.[3]

Seasons

Season Manager Record Win % League Division Postseason record Postseason win % Postseason result Notes
2019 John Jakiemiec 34–25 .576 5th 2nd 0–1 .000 Lost West Division Championship (Cape) Inaugural season
2020 Season cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic)
2021 John Jakiemiec 24–36 .400 14th 4th 17.5 0–0 .000 Did not qualify
John Jakiemiec 38–21 .644 2nd 2nd 3.0 1–1 .500 Won Wabash River Division Championship (Danville)
Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Chillicothe)
2023 John Jakiemiec 27–31 .466 11th 3rd 6.0 0–0 .000 Did not qualify
John Jakiemiec 0–0 .000 0–0 .000
Totals123–113 .521 1–2 .333

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: NEW FOR 2019: DuPage Pistol Shrimp Prospect Collegiate Baseball LLC. www.prospectleague.com. 2018-12-10.
  2. Web site: Prospect League baseball team Pistol Shrimp find new home in Peru. www.shawlocal.com. 2021-02-16.
  3. Web site: 2024 Prospect League Standings – Prospect League Baseball. www.prospectleague.com. 2023-11-16.