Who are the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp?
Founded in 2019 and named for the “deadliest animal on the planet,” the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp are a collegiate wood bat baseball team that competes in the historic 18-team Prospect League that spans 7 Midwest states from Iowa to Pennsylvania and down to Tennessee. The team is comprised of top college baseball players from across the country looking to develop skills while chasing their professional baseball dreams. Players live with Host Families who provide a “home away from home” during the season. The season runs from the end of May to early August, with 56 games set to take place in 2024. The Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp home field is Veterans Memorial Park, Peru, Illinois.
During the summer, the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp provides opportunities for college and high school interns to gain valuable work experience in sports management, operations, marketing, hospitality, social media, business and many other fields. The Pistol Shrimp also offer summer jobs, employing local community members to work in Staff positions, Concessions, Merchandise, Mascot and Beer Tent. Game nights are fun, affordable events that offer a local meshpoint for community members to come and enjoy an exciting sports experience in a comfortable environment with their family, friends, neighbors, or co-workers. The team’s affable mascot SouthClaw Sam adds to the fun, along with the many theme and promotional nights. A community partner or charity is featured at every home game as well to broaden awareness for that organization and help with their fundraising.
What is the Pistol Shrimp Foundation?
Over the past 5 years, the team has recognized an ongoing financial need for additional resources to help support and develop the players. The Pistol Shrimp Foundation was established in late 2023. It’s purpose is to provide resources and assistance to support and develop amateur athletes on the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp summer collegiate baseball team to compete on a national level, limited exclusively to exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Several Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp players have been drafted or signed to professional baseball teams in the MLB (Major League Baseball), American League and Frontier League as a result, in part, of the development and training they received during their tenure with the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp.
Why Should I Donate?
With your generous gift, here are a few ways that the Pistol Shrimp Foundation can provide resources and assistance to the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp:
· Team travel assistance such as transportation, hotel and meal expenses as well as living expenses we incur during the collegiate summer season that are not otherwise covered by our operational budget.
· Extra team apparel such as warm up outfits or specialty theme game jerseys.
· Supplemental physical instruction for optimum athletic development through classes and individual training such as speed & flexibility, general fitness, weight training, yoga, aquatics, and others as deemed necessary or beneficial by members of the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp coaching staff.
· Special promotions and advertising for team competitions.
· Other needs that may arise beyond items on our operating budget.
To make a donation, click here.
Another great way to support the Pistol Shrimp!
Become a sponsor and join our growing partnerships!
Click here to see our sponsor packet!
We are grateful for your support! To learn more about Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp Baseball, visit pistolshrimpbaseball.com
