Route 66 Joliet Stadium Name Change Hits Home Run With Patch Readers

JOLIET, IL - Last Friday, Joliet city officials unveiled their latest splash in hopes of drawing more out of town visitors to the state's third largest city. Joliet's downtown ballpark, now in the midst of a $2 million-plus upgrade, has been renamed to Route 66 Joliet Stadium. For several years, the stadium for the Joliet Slammers minor league baseball was called Silver Cross Field. However, those corporate naming rights expired and Silver Cross left Joliet's east side to build a new hospital in New Lenox near Interstate 355.

Last week, Joliet officials had no idea what to expect with the new name. After all, the city has its share of pessimists. However, the initial reader reaction to Friday's Joliet Patch article, for the most part, appears positive. Additionally, one reader asked if the Joliet Slammers would be changing their name as well. The answer to that question is no, city of Joliet corporation counsel Marty Shanahan told Patch.

The name change Route 66 Joliet Stadium coincides with the ongoing installation of a new field turf system that will allow Joliet host to more year-round sports and community events such as youth sports tournaments, corporate outings and possibly big-name music concerts.

Here's a sampling of comments from people who posted on the Joliet Patch Facebook their opinions on the switch to Route 66 Joliet Stadium:

"Looking forward to some concerts" - commented Toni Marie

"A step in the right direction." - Rachel Ventura

"It sounds like they are trying to make the stadium usable for other events in addition to baseball. The name change is more inclusive and will attract more of the Rt 66 travelers." - Jeannine Arend

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"Great idea for bringing it all together! Shows collaboration which should allow for more events to attract people to the area. Definitely a step in the right direction." - Michelle Stukel

"Silver Cross Field was a dumb name. Glad Joliet is planning and trying to grow/succeed with this venue!!" - Carla Crusat

"How bout some concerts?" - Rocky Giovanni.

"I like the name change and I hope they succeed as an organization." - MJ Rull

"Much much much much much much much better." - Chris Tocke

"Love it!" - Kathleen Fritz

After one reader claimed nobody goes to Joliet Slammers games, reader C.J. Eich responded by saying: "Can’t fill the seats? Have u been to a game lately? I have, went to at least 2 towards the end of the year. Absolutely slammed, waiting in line for ever for something to drink!"

Joliet's downtown stadium opened in 2002 and currently has a capacity of about 6,000 spectators.

Main image via City of Joliet, other images via Joliet Patch