The Gateway Grizzlies will open the 2026 Frontier League season, May 7 on the road, and host their home opener May 12 at Arsenal BG Ballpark in Sauget. (Photo: Thomas Grove)
AVON, OH — The Frontier League held its annual free agent tryout camp and draft on Monday and Tuesday, and the league announced the Gateway Grizzlies had selected three players.
Gateway, which went 56-40 last season and made the Frontier League playoffs for the third year in a row, picked up two talented young pitchers and a slugging outfielder with its three selections.
In the first round, the Grizzlies selected pitcher Phil Brennaman, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound righthander from Shawnee, Kan., who played at several schools in college, but played the 2025 season at Youngstown State. Brennaman battled injuries for much of the season and went 1-3, with a 15.43 ERA, and 44 hits and runs allowed in 23.1 innings pitched.
The numbers suggest Brennaman might not be ready for professional baseball, which might explain (along with his injury history) why he didn’t play in any leagues last summer. But Brennaman gave a strong performance at the tryout camp, which left several teams interested, and was why the Gateway selected him with the No. 15 overall pick.
In the second round, the Grizzlies took Jack Hoeymans, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound fireballer from Denver, who played his D1 college ball at VCU. In two seasons with the Rams, Hoeymans served mostly as a reliever and posted a 7-5 record, with a 6.78 ERA, in 31 appearance.
Hoeymans pitched 75.2 innings and notched up 78 strikeouts, with only 45 walks and five total home runs allowed.
With its third pick, Gateway selected Kyle Ratliff, a 6-foot-3, 215-pounder from Grand Rapids, Mich., who local fans might remember from his college days at SIU-Edwardsville.
Ratliff was at SIUE for three years, but only played two due to a season-ending injury in 2024. In the two full seasons he did play for the Cougars, Ratliff hit .243, with 20 home runs, 12 doubles, 65 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases.
In 2024, Ratliff did play in SIUE’s season opener and hit two home runs, before an injury put him out for the rest of the season.
At the tryout camp, Ratliff looked fully healthy and mobile in outfield drills and mashed the ball consistently in batting practice and hitting competitions.
All three players are expected to sign with the Grizzlies this week and be with the team when it begins training camp next week.
Gateway’s 2026 season opener will be on Thursday, May 7, in a road game against the Mississippi Mud Monsters. Gateway’s 2026 home opener will be Tuesday, May 12, when the Grizzlies will host the Joliet Slammers at Arsenal BG Ballpark in Sauget. First pitch that night is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
2026 GATEWAY GRIZZLIES BASEBALL SCHEDULE
| Date | Time | Opponent | Location |
| May 7 (Thursday) | 6:30 pm | Mississippi Mud Monsters | Trustmark Park / Pearl, MS |
| May 8 (Friday) | 6:30 pm | Mississippi Mud Monsters | Trustmark Park / Pearl, MS |
| May 9 (Saturday) | 6:01 pm | Mississippi Mud Monsters | Trustmark Park / Pearl, MS |
| May 12 (Tuesday) | 6:30 pm | Joliet Slammers | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| May 13 (Wednesday) | 10:45 am | Joliet Slammers | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| May 14 (Thursday) | 6:30 pm | Joliet Slammers | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| May 15 (Friday) | 6:30 pm | Windy City ThunderBolts | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| May 16 (Saturday) | 6:30 pm | Windy City ThunderBolts | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| May 17 (Sunday) | 1:05 pm | Windy City ThunderBolts | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| May 19 (Tuesday) | 6:35 pm | Evansville Otters | Bosse Field / Evansville, IN |
| May 20 (Wednesday) | 6:35 pm | Evansville Otters | Bosse Field / Evansville, IN |
| May 21 (Thursday) | 6:35 pm | Evansville Otters | Bosse Field / Evansville, IN |
| May 22 (Friday) | 6:30 pm | Lake Erie Crushers | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| May 23 (Saturday) | 6:30 pm | Lake Erie Crushers | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| May 24 (Sunday) | 1:05 pm | Lake Erie Crushers | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| May 26 (Tuesday) | 6:30 pm | Evansville Otters | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| May 27 (Wednesday) | 6:30 pm | Evansville Otters | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| May 28 (Thursday) | 6:30 pm | Evansville Otters | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| May 29 (Friday) | 6:35 pm | Joliet Slammers | Slammers Stadium / Joliet, IL |
| May 30 (Saturday) | 6:05 pm | Joliet Slammers | Slammers Stadium / Joliet, IL |
| May 31 (Sunday) | 1:05 pm | Joliet Slammers | Slammers Stadium / Joliet, IL |
| June 2 (Tuesday) | 9:35 am | Washington Wild Things | EQT Park / Washington, PA |
| June 3 (Wednesday) | 5:05 pm | Washington Wild Things | EQT Park / Washington, PA |
| June 4 (Thursday) | 6:05 pm | Washington Wild Things | EQT Park / Washington, PA |
| June 5 (Friday) | 6:30 pm | Mississippi Mud Monsters | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| June 6 (Saturday) | 6:30 pm | Mississippi Mud Monsters | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| June 7 (Sunday) | 6:05 pm | Mississippi Mud Monsters | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| June 9 (Tuesday) | 6:30 pm | Schaumburg Boomers | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| June 10 (Wednesday) | 10:45 am | Schaumburg Boomers | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| June 11 (Thursday) | 6:30 pm | Schaumburg Boomers | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| June 12 (Friday) | 6:30 pm | Florence Y’alls | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| June 13 (Saturday) | 6:30 pm | Florence Y’alls | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| June 14 (Sunday) | 6:05 pm | Florence Y’alls | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| June 16 (Tuesday) | 6 pm | Brockton Rox | Campanelli Stadium / Broxton, MA |
| June 17 (Wednesday) | 6 pm | Brockton Rox | Campanelli Stadium / Broxton, MA |
| June 18 (Thursday) | 6 pm | Brockton Rox | Campanelli Stadium / Broxton, MA |
| June 19 (Friday) | 6:05 pm | New Jersey Jackals | Hinchliffe Stadium / Paterson, NJ |
| June 20 (Saturday) | 5:35 pm | New Jersey Jackals | Hinchliffe Stadium / Paterson, NJ |
| June 21 (Sunday) | 1:05 pm | New Jersey Jackals | Hinchliffe Stadium / Paterson, NJ |
| June 23 (Tuesday) | 6:30 pm | Florence Y’alls | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| June 24 (Wednesday) | 6:30 pm | Florence Y’alls | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| June 25 (Thursday) | 6:30 pm | Florence Y’alls | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| June 26 (Friday) | 6:35 pm | Windy City ThunderBolts | Ozinga Field / Crestwood, IL |
| June 27 (Saturday) | 6:05 pm | Windy City ThunderBolts | Ozinga Field / Crestwood, IL |
| June 28 (Sunday) | 1:05 pm | Windy City ThunderBolts | Ozinga Field / Crestwood, IL |
| June 30 (Tuesday) | 6:30 pm | Mississippi Mud Monsters | Trustmark Park / Pearl, MS |
| July 1 (Wednesday) | 11 am | Mississippi Mud Monsters | Trustmark Park / Pearl, MS |
| July 2 (Thursday) | 6:30 pm | Mississippi Mud Monsters | Trustmark Park / Pearl, MS |
| July 3 (Friday) | 7:05 pm | Québec Capitales | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| July 4 (Saturday) | 7:05 pm | Québec Capitales | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| July 5 (Sunday) | 6:30 pm | Québec Capitales | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| July 7 (Tuesday) | 6:30 pm | Evansville Otters | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| July 8 (Wednesday) | 10:45 am | Evansville Otters | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| July 9 (Thursday) | 6:30 pm | Evansville Otters | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| July 10 (Friday) | 6:30 pm | Schaumburg Boomers | Wintrust Field / Schaumburg, IL |
| July 11 (Saturday) | 6:30 pm | Schaumburg Boomers | Wintrust Field / Schaumburg, IL |
| July 12 (Sunday) | 1 pm | Schaumburg Boomers | Wintrust Field / Schaumburg, IL |
| July 14 (Tuesday) | 7 pm | Frontier League All-Star Game | Thomas More Stadium / Florence, KY |
| July 17 (Friday) | 7 pm | Lake Erie Crushers | ForeFront Stadium / Avon, OH |
| July 18 (Saturday) | 7 pm | Lake Erie Crushers | ForeFront Stadium / Avon, OH |
| July 19 (Sunday) | 1 pm | Lake Erie Crushers | ForeFront Stadium / Avon, OH |
| July 21 (Tuesday) | 6:52 pm | Florence Y’alls | Thomas More Stadium / Florence, KY |
| July 22 (Wednesday) | 10:35 am | Florence Y’alls | Thomas More Stadium / Florence, KY |
| July 23 (Thursday) | 6:54 pm | Florence Y’alls | Thomas More Stadium / Florence, KY |
| July 24 (Friday) | 6:30 pm | Lake Erie Crushers | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| July 25 (Saturday) | 6:30 pm | Lake Erie Crushers | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| July 26 (Sunday) | 1:05 pm | Lake Erie Crushers | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| July 28 (Tuesday) | 6:30 pm | Windy City ThunderBolts | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| July 29 (Wednesday) | 6:30 pm | Windy City ThunderBolts | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| July 30 (Thursday) | 6:30 pm | Windy City ThunderBolts | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| July 31 (Friday) | 7:03 pm | Florence Y’alls | Thomas More Stadium / Florence, KY |
| August 1 (Saturday) | 6:36 pm | Florence Y’alls | Thomas More Stadium / Florence, KY |
| August 2 (Sunday) | 1:07 pm | Florence Y’alls | Thomas More Stadium / Florence, KY |
| August 4 (Tuesday) | 6:30 pm | Schaumburg Boomers | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| August 5 (Wednesday) | 6:30 pm | Schaumburg Boomers | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| August 6 (Thursday) | 6:30 pm | Schaumburg Boomers | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| August 7 (Friday) | 6:30 pm | Joliet Slammers | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| August 8 (Saturday) | 6:30 pm | Joliet Slammers | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| August 9 (Sunday) | 6:05 pm | Joliet Slammers | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| August 11 (Tuesday) | 6:35 pm | Evansville Otters | Bosse Field / Evansville, IN |
| August 12 (Wednesday) | 6:35 pm | Evansville Otters | Bosse Field / Evansville, IN |
| August 13 (Thursday) | 6:35 pm | Evansville Otters | Bosse Field / Evansville, IN |
| August 14 (Friday) | 6:30 pm | Ottawa Titans | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| August 15 (Saturday) | 6:30 pm | Ottawa Titans | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| August 16 (Sunday) | 1:05 pm | Ottawa Titans | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| August 18 (Tuesday) | 6:35 pm | Joliet Slammers | Slammers Stadium / Joliet, IL |
| August 19 (Wednesday) | 6:35 pm | Joliet Slammers | Slammers Stadium / Joliet, IL |
| August 20 (Thursday) | 6:35 pm | Joliet Slammers | Slammers Stadium / Joliet, IL |
| August 21 (Friday) | 6:35 pm | Windy City ThunderBolts | Ozinga Field / Crestwood, IL |
| August 22 (Saturday) | 6:05 pm | Windy City ThunderBolts | Ozinga Field / Crestwood, IL |
| August 23 (Sunday) | 1:05 pm | Windy City ThunderBolts | Ozinga Field / Crestwood, IL |
| August 25 (Tuesday) | 6:30 pm | Washington Wild Things | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| August 26 (Wednesday) | 6:30 pm | Washington Wild Things | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| August 27 (Thursday) | 7:15 pm | Washington Wild Things | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| August 28 (Friday) | 6:30 pm | Schaumburg Boomers | Wintrust Field / Schaumburg, IL |
| August 29 (Saturday) | 6:30 pm | Schaumburg Boomers | Wintrust Field / Schaumburg, IL |
| August 30 (Sunday) | 1 pm | Schaumburg Boomers | Wintrust Field / Schaumburg, IL |
| September 1 (Tuesday) | 6:05 pm | Washington Wild Things | EQT Park / Washington, PA |
| September 2 (Wednesday) | 5:05 pm | Washington Wild Things | EQT Park / Washington, PA |
| September 3 (Thursday) | 6:05 pm | Washington Wild Things | EQT Park / Washington, PA |
| September 4 (Friday) | 6:30 pm | Mississippi Mud Monsters | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| September 5 (Saturday) | 6:30 pm | Mississippi Mud Monsters | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |
| September 6 (Sunday) | 6:05 pm | Mississippi Mud Monsters | Arsenal BG Ballpark / Sauget, IL |