The final hurdle the new Joliet Slammers owners need to clear -- approval to be part of the Frontier League -- is taking longer than originally anticipated.
Josh Schaub, co-owner of the Joliet Community Baseball and Entertainment group, initially told the Joliet City Council that there would be an answer from the league within about seven days of the city approving the team's lease for Silver Cross Field in downtown Joliet on Oct. 15.
Since then, however, there have been several loose ends to tie up, such as having background checks done on the owners, and providing additional paperwork, including a copy of the finalized lease, Schaub said.
That lease is valid only if the new owners continue to be part of the Frontier League, which is what makes the league's signoff a key part of the deal.
The good news, Schaub said, is he's been invited to the Frontier League's meetings in Scottsdale, Ariz., where he anticipates the Slammers ownership change will be finalized.
The downside is those meetings don't take place until Nov. 7 and 8, he said.
In the meantime, the owners continue to plan for the upcoming season, which kicks off May 17 with a home opener against the Traverse City Beach Bums.
The West Division Slammers will play a total of 51 games, three more than last year, and will face a new team -- the Frontier Greys traveling team -- that has replaced the Road Warriors in the East Division.
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