What was pro wrestler Jeff Jarrett (pictured) doing in a hotel conference room in Springfield Wednesday afternoon? Introducing himself as one of the new owners of what has been called the Springfield Sliders !!
“We know that, at the end of the day, the community is the straw that stirs the drink,” he told a news conference. “It’s really just that simple.”
Golden Rule Entertainment, operating in Springfield as Capital City Baseball, has purchased the team from Todd Miller. President and “chief storyteller” Jamie Toole said the team may or may not keep the name Sliders. Toole hit hard that he wants the team to be a community asset, recruiting local players, volunteering in the community, with plenty of input as to the concessions and even the name.
Toole said the between-innings entertainment will be so compelling that you’ll want to go to the bathroom during the game so as not to miss it. And the ownership group is bullish on Robin Roberts Stadium and its old-time feel, which one owner, Tim Hoker, said cannot be reproduced.
The team will continue to compete in the Prospect League, stocked with college players using wooden bats.