Want to get in the know about independent baseball this summer but don’t know where to start?

FloBaseball has you covered, broadcasting some of the best independent ball leagues in North America, all season long.

Some especially unique ballclubs around the independent baseball scene need their own introductions, however. 

That’s where FloBaseball’s team profile series comes into play to help out, explaining and breaking down some of the quirks and features that make each club tick.

Here’s a breakdown of the Frontier League’s Windy City ThunderBolts.

What Year Were The Windy City ThunderBolts Founded?

Founded in 1995, the ThunderBolts – who began life as the Will County Claws in the North Central League – have bounced around as a few different iterations of themselves and across a few different leagues, but they have always called the Chicagoland area home. 

They’ve been based in the suburb of Crestwood and playing their ball in the Frontier League since 1999. Windy City plays in the West Division of the league.

Great win out here for the Bolts! Some pictures with our players and fans!! Back at it again tomorrow 6:35 pm against the Slammers. #WinCity pic.twitter.com/gNi9PE1dWp

— Windy City ThunderBolts (@WCThunderBolts) June 28, 2023

Who Owns The Windy City ThunderBolts?

The club has gone through several ownership changes in its history, including an 11-year period of majority ownership from locals Dan Brennan and Mike Stranczek, who bought the team in the fall of 2003 and changed its name to the ThunderBolts. 

Minority investor Al Oremus (who has also owned the Frontier’s Joliet Slammers and explored ownership for a team in near Schaumburg before the league’s Boomers came to town) bought the ThunderBolts in full in 2014, while Brian Kahn has held ownership since prior to the 2021 season.

What Is The History Of The Windy City ThunderBolts Team Name And Mascot?

The club’s first nickname, the Claws, had a short history that perhaps was enough of a bad omen to necessitate a change – the team only played 18 games as the Claws in 1995, before the North Central League it was in at the time ceased operations. 

A change in both league (to the Heartland League) and name (to the Cheetahs) came next, followed by a switch from Will County (in Romeoville) to Cook County in 1998. The Cheetahs spent that season in Midlothian waiting on their new Crestwood stadium to be built. 

The (finally) Crestwood-based Cheetahs moved to the Frontier League in 1999 and kept that moniker another five years, before new ownership led to the ThunderBolts nickname in 2004. 

The mascot, Boomer, is a member of the Mascot Hall of Fame.

Happy National Mascot Day to our very own BOOMER!! ⚡️⚾️#NationalMascotDay #WCTB #GoBolts #Boomer pic.twitter.com/MpeWJlstu8

— Windy City ThunderBolts (@WCThunderBolts) June 17, 2023

Have The Windy City ThunderBolts Ever Won A Frontier League Championship?

The second-oldest team to continuously be in the Frontier League – behind the Evansville Otters – it isn’t surprising that Windy City also has been one of the league’s most successful clubs, too. 

The two-time Frontier champions won back-to-back titles in 2007 and 2008, making them one of just three teams in the Frontier’s history (since its first season in 1993) to win multiple times in a row. 

The ThunderBolts have some work to do in order to get to title No. 3, however.

As of Saturday morning, they’re 21-30 on the season and are anchored to last place in the West.

Where Do The Windy City ThunderBolts Play?

Notice something strange right off of the bat when you look at photos of Ozinga Field, the ThunderBolts’ home since moving to Crestwood in 1999? It’s the fact that the third-base line has an upper deck for seating, a rarity in minor-league/independent baseball. It gives the ballpark a unique look and atmosphere with a capacity of 3,200. 

The facility gets plenty of use, both in and out of the baseball season. 

Per the team’s website, Ozinga Field has hosted everything from college and high school baseball games to a friendly exhibition between the fire departments of Chicago and New York called the “Big City Classic.” It also played host to this year’s Frontier League All-Star Game earlier this week.

Let the All-Stars week begin!! Starting off right with a cruise in the beautiful Windy City 🌃 pic.twitter.com/vr8FuKNgMl

— Windy City ThunderBolts (@WCThunderBolts) July 11, 2023

Windy City ThunderBolts Notable Alumni

A (very) long list of Cheetahs/ThunderBolts have been picked up by major-league organizations over the years, but per the team’s website, only five team alumni have made it to the majors.

One, right-handed pitcher and 2019 ThunderBolt Adam Oller, has seen major-league action this year for the Oakland Athletics and will attempt to thrive with a fresh start as a part of the Seattle Mariners. He was picked up off of waivers by the club this week. 

Another ex-Windy City pitcher who made it to the majors, Australian righty, ex-San Diego Padre and 2000 Cheetah, Chris Oxspring, is going strong 23 years later with the Sydney Blue Sox in his home country. He’s 46 years young, making him one of the oldest active professional baseball players in the world.

How To Watch The Windy City ThunderBolts

Atlantic, Frontier, Pioneer and the Coastal Summer Plain League, as well as the Florida Collegiate Summer League, are streaming on FloBaseball and the FloSports app. 

Replays, highlights and more news can be found on the site.