Springfield/Ozark Ducks

From BR Bullpen

Ozark Mountain Ducks.gif

Team History[edit]

The Frontier League's Springfield/Ozark Ducks were created in 2004 when the Kenosha Mammoths moved into the Springfield, MO area. The Springfield/Ozark Mountain Ducks of the Central Baseball League had just vacated the premises by moving to Pensacola, FL, where they became the Pensacola Pelicans, giving the Frontier League an opportunity to move in.

Although the previous incarnations of the Mountain Ducks had been successful, this franchise struggled at the gate all season in spite of fielding a competitive team under veteran independent leagues manager Greg Tagert. They drew 67,028 fans, 10th in the 12-team Frontier League. The team had no All-Stars or anyone who was in the top 10 in average or ERA. Ricardo Rodriguez (0-2, Sv, 1.13) was the top hurler while OF Steve Haake (.290, .523 SLG, 16 SB) paced the offense. The killing blow was dealt at the end of the year, when the St. Louis Cardinals announced that they were putting a AA franchise into nearby Springfield (the Springfield (MO) Cardinals of the Texas League). The Ducks had to find a new home quickly, and became the transient Ohio Valley Redcoats in 2005.

Year-by-Year Record[edit]

Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs
2004 52-44 6th Greg Tagert