Dugout Dish

In the latest press release by the Frontier League, President of the Board of Directors of the Frontier League of Professional Baseball, Rich Sauget Sr., announced his retirement from the position after serving the league for 17 years. Sauget held the position since November of 2003.

“It has been an honor to serve the Frontier League. I want to thank all of the players, administration and other owners of the league, as well as all of the Gateway Grizzlies family. My experiences and the relationships built during my tenure as President of the Frontier League have been some of my fondest in baseball.” Sauget stated in the release.

He continued: “The future of the Frontier League and the partnership with Major League Baseball is exciting for the league and its teams. I’m confident the league will continue to reach new heights.”

During his tenure, the Frontier League experienced overwhelming growth with his guidance. Six new stadiums were built and it’s worth mentioning that the league attracted over 1.5 million fans in those 17 years of his presidency. Sauget also helped oversee the 2019 merger of six team from the Can-Am League. And as of recent, he had the opportunity to witness the Frontier League become a Partner League with MLB.

Growing up in Belleville, Illinois, Sauget was a standout athlete in high school – recruited by the University of Notre Dame, where he lettered in both baseball and football. In 1966, he was drafted by the Atlanta Braves and played six seasons of professional baseball with the Braves and Giants, including being called up by Atlanta in the 1970 season.

After his baseball career ended, he became involved in business, development, civic, and philanthropic ventures in the St. Louis area and around the world. Which included ownership of the Gateway Grizzlies. In 2015, Sauget was inducted into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame.

The Grizzlies began play in the Frontier League in 2001 and opened GSC Ballpark in 2002. The Grizzlies seat on the Board of Directions will be filled by Rich Sauget Jr. Like his father, he played football and baseball for Notre Dame – making the Sauget family the first father/son combination in school history to letter in both sports. The younger Sauget also played in the Frontier League and managed the Grizzlies in 2002.

Frontier League Commissioner Bill Lee stated: “I have known Rich since I was five years old. Not only do I respect him as a business and community leader, he is one of my dearest friends. I cannot thank him enough for all of the time, effort, and dedication that he has put into the League since he joined. He has been a leader in making the Frontier League what it is today – we are much better because of him.”

Evansville Otters Board Member John Stanley will serve as the League President for the next year. Stanley stated: “Rich has been a highly respected leader in his community and the League for many ways. His temperament, character, and business acumen are among a long list of positive traits that have made Rich an outstanding President for the Frontier League.”

He continued: “I have thoroughly enjoyed our personal and professional relationship. I offer congratulations from all of the League members, for the many accomplishments achieved during his leadership tenure.”

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