The Southern Illinois Miners have apparently played their final game in Marion.
Calling a bittersweet decision, the team's owners Jayne and John Simmons, announced on Wednesday they're retiring to spend more time with family.
Marion Mayor Mike Absher thanked the Simmons for their investment in the city.
"I don't mean just about the brick and mortar of the stadium. That entire area of town has built up with infrastructure. If you think about the new overpass and exit off the Interstate (57), that was all new and needed and funded partially by the state as a result of that stadium being built. That brought many other things to that area that we continue to benefit from."
The Simmons own Rent One Park and Absher says the city will work to ensure it remains an asset for the region and he's encouraged by the Simmons' statement about the stadium's potential as a multi-use facility.
"That sounds exciting to me because as exciting as baseball is, it's by definition limited just to baseball. So, if there's way to re-format that other sports could utilize it or I know there's been some concerts and things like that in that stadium from time to time too. So, maybe it can be re-envisioned for something more than just baseball."
The Miners franchise started in Marion in 2007. Under the Simmons' leadership, the Miners led the Frontier League in attendance each of the franchise’s first four seasons and was named “Frontier League Organization of the Year” three times and won the Frontier League Championship in 2012.
