Thrillville Thrillbillies

☆ Save On Wikipedia ↗
Thrillville Thrillbillies

Logo
Information
LeagueProspect League (Western Conference – South Division)
LocationMarion, Illinois
BallparkMarion Stadium
Founded2023
League championships0
Division championships2 (2023, 2024)
ColorsBlack, orange, red, gray, white
         
MascotRyder the Rabbit[1]
OwnershipRodney Cabaness, Shad Zimbro & Black Diamond Family of Businesses[2][3]
General managerRalph Santana[4]
ManagerPatrick Morey[5][6]
Websitethrillbillies.com/landing/index

The Thrillville Thrillbillies are a collegiate summer league baseball team of the Prospect League. They are located in Marion, Illinois, and play their home games at Marion Stadium. The Thrillbillies and other collegiate summer leagues and teams exist to give top college players a professional-like experience without affecting NCAA eligibility.

The Thrillbillies play in the Prospect League's Western Conference – South Division along with the Alton River Dragons, Cape Catfish, Jackson Rockabillys, and O'Fallon Hoots.[7]

History

Marion's previous summer baseball team was the Southern Illinois Miners, a professional independent team that played in the Frontier League from the team's inception in 2007 to its folding in 2021. On October 6, 2021, the Miners folded when their owners, Jayne and John Simmons, retired, leaving the city of Marion without a team.[8][9][10]

On August 24, 2022, the Prospect League announced that a franchise had been awarded to the city of Marion, with Black Diamond Family of Businesses, Rodney Cabaness, and Shad Zimbro as the owners of the team.[11][12]

On February 24, 2023, the team was officially named the Thrillbillies.[13][14][15]

Stadium

The Thrillbillies play at Marion Stadium, a 7,000-seat facility owned and operated by Marion Stadium LLC.[16][17] The facility was built in 2007 and is located at 1000 Miners Drive in Marion.[18]

Seasons

SeasonManagerRecordWin %LeagueDivisionGBPost-season recordPost-season win %Post-season resultNotes
2023Ralph Santana34–21.6183rd2nd4.01–1.500Won Prairie Land Division Championship (Cape)
Lost Western Conference Championship (Quincy)		Inaugural season
2024Ralph Santana31–24.5646th2nd2.01–1.500Won South Division Championship (Cape)
Lost Western Conference Championship (Illinois Valley)
2025Patrick Morey27–26.5098th3rd12.50–0.000Did not qualify
2026Patrick Morey0–0––––0–0––
Totals92–71.5642–2.500

Roster

Active roster Coaching staff

Pitchers

  • 23 Aaron Akin
  • 21 Ross Aldridge
  • -- Drake Buffington
  • 28 Brady Coon
  • 38 Dax Dunnill
  • 33 Sam Foulke
  • 34 Evan Oakley
  • 18 Jayden Ohmer
  • 11 Seth Pitcock
  • 41 Max Powers
  •  6 Colton Rerick
  • 16 Trenton Roehler
  • 17 Jacob Ross
  • 27 Connar Temple
  • 14 Carter Woollums
  • 32 Klayton Wright

Utility players

  • 44 TJ Costello

Catchers

  • 26 Zach Pomatto
  • 25 Hayden Ralls
  •  9 Grant Sawa

Infielders

  • 31 Brayton Coomer
  • 10 Eduardo Letamendi
  •  5 Mason Pangborn
  • -- Roydan Perez
  •  4 Carson Shee
  • 22 Carter Walters

Outfielders

  •  8 Peyton Kight
  •  7 Christian Kiper
  •  2 Frederick Ragsdale III
  • 12 Devin Wassmann
  • -- Wyatt Wawro

Manager

  • -- Patrick Morey

Coaches

  • -- Travis Hope (assistant)
  • Injury icon Disabled list
  • ‡ Inactive list
  • § Suspended list
  •  updated June 5, 2026

References

  1. "Casting call for characters needed for theme nights at Thrillville Thrillbillies baseball games". www.kfvs12.com. March 5, 2024. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  2. "Bringing the thrill of baseball back to Marion". dailyegyptian.com. April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  3. "New Name For Thrillbillies Home: Mtn Dew Park". prospectleague.com. March 23, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  4. "Morey Named Thrillville Thrillbillies New Field Manager". www.955thefan.com. December 4, 2024. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  5. "Patrick Morey named as new Thrillville Thrillbillies Field Manager". www.wsiltv.com. December 4, 2024. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  6. "Thrillbillies name new field manager". www.kfvs12.com. December 6, 2024. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  7. "2026 Prospect League Standings – Prospect League Baseball". www.prospectleague.com. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  8. "Southern Illinois Miners ceasing operations". ballparkdigest.com. October 6, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  9. "Owners of Southern Ill. Miners to retire, 2021 was last season for team in Marion". www.kfvs12.com. October 6, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  10. "Southern Illinois Miners disbanded as owners announce retirement". dailyegyptian.com. October 20, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  11. "Southern Illinois (Marion) Joins Prospect League For 2023". www.clintonherald.com. August 24, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  12. "New Prospect League baseball team coming to Rent One Park". www.westkentuckystar.com. August 26, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  13. "New Marion, Ill., Team Named Thrillville Thrillbillies". prospectleague.com. February 24, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  14. "The votes have it! New Prospect League team at Rent One Park to be called the Thrillville Thrillbillies". www.wpsdlocal6.com. February 23, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  15. "Prospect League baseball team reveals new name in Marion". thesouthern.com. February 23, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  16. "Rent One Park in Marion under new ownership". www.kfvs12.com. December 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  17. "Marion Stadium - Thrillville Thrillbillies". www.stadiumjourney.com. July 24, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  18. "Thrillville Thrillbillies". Retrieved April 29, 2026.