Slammers Make Smashing Debut On Field and Off

There were fireworks, magic tricks, Maury Wills, Dixieland jazz, Jim Cornelison, an eating contest and eight shutout innings from a former major leaguer looking to pitch his way back to the big leagues.

The first Joliet Slammers home opener could not have gone any better for the home team, as former Cub — and Morris High School product — Billy Petrick shut down the visiting Washington Wild Things and got more than enough offensive support for the win.

Another local player, Ryan Quigley of Joliet Catholic, finished off the Wild Things with a scoreless ninth as the Slammers triumphed 7-0.

But for as superbly as the Slammers performed on the field, their fine effort may actually have been outdone by all the fun being had in the stands. (Check out our photo gallery of all the good times).

Fans on their way into Silver Cross Field were greeted by the Dixiecrats jazz trio at the gates, and once inside were entertained by magician Jeff Bibik and the new team mascot, Spikes.

Spikes replaces Jammer, the face of the former Joliet franchise, the Joliet JackHammers, who left town in disgrace after failing to pay their debts.

Just on mascots alone the Slammers appear to have a leg up on the JackHammers, as Spikes is a dog and Jammer was nothing but a blatant ripoff of the Phillie Phanatic.

Joliet resident Dave Parker believes the Slammers stand a chance of succeeding, despite the failure of the JackHammers and the lack of ties to a major league club.

"At least the stadium's not going to be a white elephant," Parker said.

Dodgers legend Maury Wills threw out the ceremonial first pitch and was followed by Petrick, who threw out the real one. It was a ball, and then Petrick gave up a single to Washington leadoff hitter Chris Sidick.

Petrick settled down and worked his way out of the inning before turning in a brilliant performance.

Cornelison turned in a brilliant performance of his own with his rendition of the national anthem, and Andy Heiy did his hometown of Shorewood proud when he triumphed in an eating contest over Ed Kammerer of Tinley Park.

Kammerer fought like a soldier to hang in there, but the hot jalapeno peppers on the Joliet jake chicken fried steak sandwich he was trying to down ahead of Heiy proved to be too much for him.

Even though Heiy won the contest  — and the four free game tickets that came with the victory  — he was no fan of the Slammers signature sandwich, which goes for $12.50 at the concession stands.

"Bad," Heiy said. "On a scale of one to 10, I'd say it was a four."