Joe Pott is the play-by-play radio announcer for the Gateway Grizzlies, a Frontier League team in Sauget. The independent league's players are trying to make it to the major leagues - just like Pott.

"I would like to believe I'll be in the big leagues someday," he says. "I'm always looking; that is the nature of the job."

The Grizzlies' games are broadcast on WSIE-FM 88.7.

Pott grew up in St. Louis and went to high school at Parkway North. When he graduated, he went to the University of Dayton in Ohio, where he did radio play-by-play for soccer and volleyball games. He also worked at a radio station in Dayton, producing games for the Cincinnati Reds' Class A affiliate, the Dayton Dragons.

The Frontier League differs from other minor leagues because it is an independent league, meaning that the Grizzlies are not a "farm" team for any major league club. They find, sign and pay their own players. No one older than 27 can play.

The Grizzlies have a loyal following. They have been first or second in league attendance every year since 2003. In 2004, they were the first team in league history to draw more than 200,000 fans in a season. They are one of four teams in league history that has drawn more than 1 million fans. The attendance since 2001 is 1.4 million.

"The Frontier League is very important to the St. Louis area in that it gives families another option for affordable entertainment," Pott said. "In my opinion, it's the best option, because we offer giveaways, entertainers, fireworks nights, great food, good baseball and cheap prices. For example, we had Rupert (Boneham) from the TV show 'Survivor.' We had 7,500 in attendance to see him."

Numerous players have gone on to play in affiliated organizations but haven't made it to the majors yet. The Grizzlies have just one player who has made it to the major leagues - pitcher Scott Patterson, who made his debut with the New York Yankees last year and then went to the San Diego Padres, where he appeared four more times. He's now playing for the Portland Beavers, the Class AAA affiliate for the San Diego Padres. All told, 17 alumni from the Frontier League have played in the majors.

Games at GCS Ballpark in Sauget feature many attractions, the most famous of which is the Krispy Kreme Donut Burger, a bacon cheeseburger with a doughnut bun.

One of the most amusing antics Pott has seen came during a double-header in 2003.

"In Game One of a double-header, the game ended when the opposing team appealed a tag-up play at third, and the umpire called our runner out - then immediately left the field," Pott said. "(Then-Grizzlies manager and former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher) Danny (Cox) wasn't too pleased, so when he went out to present the lineup card for Game Two, he wandered out with a white plastic bag on his head (as if he was blind).

"Needless to say, he didn't make it to the first pitch of Game Two."