| Florence Y'alls | |
| Founded: | 1994 |
| City: | Florence, Kentucky |
| Ballpark: | Thomas More Stadium |
| League: | Frontier League |
| Division: | West Division |
| Former Names: |
|
| Colors: | Red, cream white, sky blue |
| League Champs: | 3 (1994, 1995, 2000) |
| Division Champs: | 5 (1995, 1997, 2000, 2017, 2021) |
| Owner: | Freedom Baseball Club LLC |
| General Manager: | Max Johnson |
| Manager: | Chad Rhoades |
| Media: | The Cincinnati Enquirer |
The Florence Y'alls are a professional baseball team based within the Greater Cincinnati region in the city of Florence, Kentucky.[1] The Y'alls compete in the Frontier League (FL) as a member of the West Division. Since 2004, they have played their home games at Thomas More Stadium, which is located near Interstates 71 and 75.[2]
The Y'alls franchise has won three Frontier League championships. However, these titles came when the team existed as the Erie Sailors (1994), Johnstown Steal (1995), and Johnstown Johnnies (2000). The franchise is currently tied with the Rockford RiverHawks (including years as Portsmouth and Springfield), the Schaumburg Boomers, and the River City Rascals (including years as Zanesville) for the most league championships with each franchise winning three.
The team began in Erie, Pennsylvania, as the Erie Sailors in 1994, before moving to Point Stadium in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in 1995, where it was first known as the Johnstown Steal then the Johnstown Johnnies beginning in 1998.[3] The team won two Frontier League championships in their time in Johnstown, one in 1995 as the Steal and one in 2000 as the Johnnies.[4] The team was sold after the 2002 season and moved to Florence, where it became known as the Freedom.[5]
The Freedom played their 2003 home games at Foundation Field in Hamilton, Ohio, about 30miles north of Cincinnati, while the ownership group was building a new stadium (Champion Window Field) in Florence.[6] The team was managed by former major leaguer Tom Browning. The Freedom finished in last place, setting a then-league record with 61 losses, but featured future major leaguer Chris Jakubauskas, who would go 4–9 (5.11 ERA) for the Freedom.[7] The team averaged fewer than 500 fans per game in attendance.[8]
In 2004, the Freedom opened Champion Window Field in Florence. The park opened on June 18, with the Freedom losing to the Washington Wild Things 10–6 before a crowd of 4,453 fans. On July 7, after a poor start to the season, manager Tom Browning was fired. Pete Rose Jr., took over for one game, but quit after making a decision to continue his playing career. Mike Easler was then hired and finished the season. The Freedom ended the season with a 31–65 record, finishing in last place for the second consecutive year.
In July 2004, shortly after the opening of Champion Window Field, contractors began filing liens against the Freedom, accusing the team of not paying for work done on the stadium. Eventually, 33 liens totaling US$4.7 million were filed. In August, Fifth Third Bank sued team part-owner Chuck Hildebrant for failing to repay multiple loans taken out to finance the stadium construction. As part of the lawsuit, it was revealed that Hildebrant had used 204acres of land that he did not own as collateral for the loans, and that he had given the bank a forged document as proof of ownership.[9] Hildebrant was later the subject of a federal white collar crime investigation and sentenced to prison in October 2005.[10] The team was sold in November 2004 to a new ownership group led by Clint Brown, who was not associated with Hildebrant's ownership group.[11]
In 2005, former Chillicothe Paints manager Jamie Keefe was signed as the team's new manager. Keefe led the Freedom to their first winning record (53–42). The team finished tied for second place in the Frontier League's East Division, missing out on the playoffs by a tiebreaker. Three Freedom players hit more than 20 home runs in 2005—outfielder Mike Galloway (24), designated hitter Kyle Geswein (24), and first baseman Trevor Hall (23). closer Ted Rowe tied for the league lead in saves with 17.
In 2006, the Freedom had a losing record of 38–50, finishing fifth in the Frontier League East Division.
In 2007, the Freedom again had a sub-.500 record, going 42–54 for the season. This placed the team third in the East Division. Outfielder Reggie Watson led the league in batting average (.357) and steals (20), while also winning the Home Run Derby at the 2007 Frontier League All-Star Game, hosted by Florence. Outfielder Ryan Basham earned the Frontier League Rookie of the Year award, hitting .298 with 17 home runs on the season.
In 2007, Champion Window Field, home of the Freedom, hosted its first Frontier League All-Star Game, with the Freedom's East Division winning 11–3. The Freedom's Reggie Watson had three runs batted in and was named the game's Most Valuable Player. The game's attendance of 4,483 set a new attendance record for Florence.[12]
In 2008, the team finished with a 47–49 record, missing a playoff spot by four games. For the first time, the Freedom attracted over 100,000 fans to Champion Window Field, with a total of 106,707 fans for the year.
In early 2008, the Freedom changed their primary colors from red, white, and blue to black, red, and silver.[13]
In 2009, the Freedom opened against the Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti at home on May 20.[14] Florence opened 2009 with two major changes—FieldTurf instead of a natural grass surface and a new coaching staff.[15] Toby Rumfield became the new field manager, and Freedom alumni Greg Stone, the Freedom's all-time hit leader, as hitting coach and Bill Browett as pitching coach.[16]
Clint Brown died in January 2018 after 15 years as team president and owner.[17] He was succeeded by his widow, Kim Brown.[18]
Sale of the team to a group of local investors was finalized July 2019. In October 2019, the new owners announced a rebranding of the team for the 2020 season, dropping the name Freedom immediately.[19] The new team name, Florence Y'alls, was announced in January 2020.[20] The team takes its new name from the local Florence Y'all Water Tower.[21]
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Frontier League canceled their 2020 season and did not play.
The Y'alls successfully returned to the playoffs, capturing their fifth division title. However, they lost the first round to the Schaumburg Boomers 3 games to 1.
In March 2022, the Y'alls and Thomas More University partnered to rename the home of the Florence Y'alls Thomas More Stadium. As part of the agreement, the stadium will also become the home of the Thomas More Saints baseball team starting in Spring 2023.[22] [23] The team missed the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
In 2023 season, the Y'alls missed the playoffs for the second year in a row.
| Erie Sailors (Frontier League) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | W-L | PCT | Place | Postseason | |
| 1994[24] | 42–25 | .627 | 2nd in FL East | Won 1st Round Playoff vs. Ohio Valley 2–0. Won Frontier League Championship vs. Lancaster Scouts 2–0. | |
| Total | 42–25 | .627 | — | ||
| Playoffs | 4–0 | 1.000 | — | 1 Playoff appearance, 1 Championship | |
| Johnstown Steal/Johnnies (Frontier League) | |||||
| 1995[25] | 46–23 | .667 | 1st in FL | Won 1st Round Playoff vs. Richmond Roosters 2–0. Won Frontier League Championship vs. Zanesville Greys 2–0. | |
| 1996 | 41–33 | .554 | 2nd in FL East | Lost 1st Round Playoff vs. Chillicothe Paints 2–1. | |
| 1997 | 47–33 | .588 | 1st in FL East | Lost 1st Round Playoff vs. Canton Crocodiles 2–0. | |
| 1998 | 34–43 | .442 | 3rd in FL East | Did not qualify | |
| 1999 | 43–41 | .512 | 3rd in FL East | Lost 1st Round Playoff vs. London Werewolves 2–0. | |
| 2000 | 48–36 | .571 | 1st in FL East | Won 1st Round Playoff vs. London Werewolves 2–0. Won Frontier League Championship vs. Evansville Otters 3–1. | |
| 2001 | 44–40 | .524 | 4th in FL East | Did not qualify | |
| 2002 | 30–54 | .357 | 6th in FL East | Did not qualify | |
| Total | 333–303 | .524 | — | — | |
| Playoffs | 8–9 | .471 | — | 3 Division titles, 5 Playoff appearances, 2 Championships | |
| Florence Freedom/Y'alls (Frontier League) | |||||
| 2003 | 27–61 | .307 | 6th in FL East | Did not qualify | |
| 2004 | 31–65 | .323 | 6th in FL East | Did not qualify | |
| 2005 | 53–42 | .558 | 3rd in FL East | Did not qualify | |
| 2006 | 38–56 | .404 | 5th in FL East | Did not qualify | |
| 2007 | 42–54 | .438 | 3rd in FL East | Did not qualify | |
| 2008 | 47–49 | .490 | 4th in FL East | Did not qualify | |
| 2009 | 49–47 | .510 | 3rd in FL East | Did not qualify | |
| 2010 | 38–58 | .396 | 5th in FL East | Did not qualify | |
| 2011 | 39–57 | .406 | 6th in FL East | Did not qualify | |
| 2012[26] | 57–39 | .594 | 2nd in FL East | Won 1st Round Playoff vs. Gateway Grizzlies 3–2. Lost Frontier League Championship vs. Southern Illinois Miners 3–1. | |
| 2013 | 53–43 | .552 | 3rd in FL East | Did not qualify | |
| 2014 | 41–55 | .427 | 5th in FL East | Did not qualify | |
| 2015[27] | 49–47 | .510 | 3rd in FL East | Lost Frontier League Play-in Game vs. River City Rascals 6–5[28] | |
| 2016[29] | 46–49 | .484 | 4th in FL West | Did not qualify | |
| 2017[30] | 61–35 | .635 | 1st in FL West | Won 1st Round Playoff vs. Washington Wild Things 3–1. Lost Frontier League Championship vs. Schaumburg Boomers 3–1. | |
| 2018[31] | 49–47 | .510 | 3rd in FL West | Did not qualify | |
| 2019[32] | 57–39 | .594 | 2nd in FL West | Won 1st Round Playoff vs. Lake Erie Crushers 3–0. Lost Frontier League Championship vs. River City Rascals 3–2. | |
| 2020 | - | - | - | Season not played due to COVID-19 | |
| 2021 | 57–38 | .600 | 1st in FL West | Lost 1st Round Playoff vs. Schaumburg Boomers 3–1. | |
| 2022 | 39–56 | .411 | 7th in FL West | Did not qualify | |
| 2023 | 38–58 | .396 | 7th in FL West | Did not qualify | |
| Total | 821–905 | .480 | — | — | |
| Playoffs | 13–13 | .500 | — | 2 Division titles, 5 Playoff appearances | |
Below is a list of Y'alls alumni who have gone on to play MLB-affiliated baseball. The alumni are sorted by peak level of baseball in which they have participated after playing for Florence. In total, 20 Y'alls alumni have signed professional contracts after playing for Florence, with five making the major leagues.[33]
As of July 3, 2021:
| Player | Year w/ FLO | Current/Most recent team | Active | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Jakubauskas[34] | 2003 | Columbus Clippers (AAA) | No | |
| Corey Thurman[35] | 2005 | York Revolution (Ind.) | No | |
| Steve Delabar[36] | 2008 | No | ||
| Stephen Cardullo[37] | 2012 | High Point Rockers | Yes | |
| Aaron Wilkerson[38] | 2013 | Oklahoma City Dodgers | Yes |
| Player | Year w/ FLO | Current/Most recent team | Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Touchet[39] | 2005 | Joliet JackHammers (Ind.) | No |
| Michael DeMark[40] | 2006 | Tigres de Quintana Roo | No |
| Player | Year w/ FLO | Current/Most recent team | Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elvys Quezada[41] | 2008 | Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks | No |
| Yosandy Ibanez[42] | 2008 | Pittsfield Colonials | No |
| Erold Andrus[43] | 2010 | York Revolution | No |
The following Freedom alumni have advanced as far as Class A-Advanced: Jason Tuttle (Freedom 2003),[44] Kevin Rival (2004),[45] Tim Turner (2004),[46] Mike Galloway (2005),[47] Heath Castle (2006),[48] Johnny Washington (2008)[49]
The following Freedom alumni have advanced as far as Class A: James Morrison (Freedom 2004),[50] Steven Pickerell (2005, 2009),[51] Joel Posey (2004–5),[52] Conor McGeehan (2006),[53] Tyler Evans (2007),[54] Neall French (2008)[55]
The following Freedom alumni have advanced as far as Class A-Short Season:
The following Freedom alumni have advanced as far as Rookie Advanced class: J.D. Foust (Freedom 2004)[56]
The following Freedom alumni have advanced as far as Rookie Class: Reggie Watson (Freedom 2006–7),[57] Preston Vancil (Freedom 2010)[58]
Below is a list of Frontier League individual records set by Y'alls players as of the end of the 2009 season.[59]