The Frisco RoughRiders are the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. They play home games at Riders Field, formerly known as Dr. Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. The RoughRiders are a member of the Double-A Central League in the South Division. They have been playing ball since 2003 and have been affiliated with the Texas Rangers during this time.
Chuck Greenberg is the current CEO and owner of the team. He purchased the team along with Scott Sonju from Mandalay Entertainment in August of 2014.
Scott Burchett is the current General Manager of the Frisco RoughRiders. He took over the GM role on September 19, 2022 that Victor Rojas held from 2021-2022.
Andy Milovich was the Frisco RoughRiders GM prior to Victor Rojas.
The current voice of the Frisco RoughRiders is Zach Bigley. Ryan Rouillard was the former play-by-play broadcaster for the team.
Mandalay Entertainment and Southwest Sports Group
We can thank Mandalay Entertainment and SouthWest Sports Group for reaching an agreement in 2001 to relocate the Shreveport Swamp Dragons, who were an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, to Frisco. Once relocated they were renamed the Frisco RoughRiders.
The RoughRiders were named after the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, a military unit led by future President Theodore Roosevelt during the Spanish-American War, nicknamed the “Rough Riders”.
Riders Field Construction
The ballpark was designed by David M. Schwarz Architectural Services and HKS Sports and Entertainment Group and construction began on February 6, 2002. It is a one-of-a-kind ballpark with a natural grass field and a capacity of 10,216 (7,748 seats), though the record attendance is on Dude Perfect Night on July 20, 2018, with a crowd of 12,067.
The Lazy River at Riders Field
The Lazy River opened June 9, 2016 and provides fans with the experience of watching games during hot triple digit games from the River behind right field. There is also a heater so fans can enjoy games during cooler temperatures. It is 174 long and one lap around is around 400 feet.
The Frisco RoughRiders first home game
The RoughRiders played their first home game in front of a soldout crowd of 10,685 fans at Dr Pepper Ballpark on April 3, 2003. They lost 16-2 to the Tulsa Drillers (Dodgers).
Frisco RoughRiders Managers
Since 2003 the RoughRiders have had 8 managers. Tim Ireland was their first Manager and guided the team to a record of 154-126 during his two seasons. The managers and their records are listed below.
The RoughRiders have had 9 managers since 2003. Their first manager, Tim Ireland guided them to a record of 154-126 in his two seasons. The managers and their records are listed below for those who are interested:
- Tim Ireland: 2003-2004 (154-126) TLC 2004
- Darryl Kennedy: 2005-06 (130-150)
- Dave Anderson: 2007 (85-55)
- Scott Little: 2008-09 (156-124)
- Steve Buechele: 2010-13 (301-258)
- Jason Wood: 2014 (80-59)
- Joe Mikulik: 2015-2019 (311-386)
- Jared Goedert: 2021-2022 (138-118) TLC 2022
- Carlos Cardoza: 2023
Frisco RoughRiders Record by season
- 2003: 73-67 (2nd in Division) Lost Texas League Championship against the San Antonio Missions.
- 2004: 81-59 (1st in Division) won the Texas League Championship against the Round Rock Express.
- 2005: 58-82 (4th in Division)
- 2006: 72-68 (3rd in Division)
- 2007: 85-55 (1st in Division) Lost Division title to San Antonio Missions.
- 2008: 84-56 (1st in Division) Lost the Texas League Championship to Arkansas Travelers.
- 2009: 72-68 (2nd in Division)
- 2010: 72-67 (1st in Division) Lost Division title to Midland RockHounds.
- 2011: 79-61 (2nd in Division) Lost Division title to San Antonio Missions.
- 2012: 80-60 (2nd in Division) Lost Texas League Championship to Springfield Cardinals.
- 2013: 70-70 (3rd in Division)
- 2014: 80-59 (1st in Division) Lost Division title to Midland RockHounds.
- 2015: 60-79 (3rd in Division)
- 2016: 63-76 (3rd in Division)
- 2017: 60-80 (4th in Division)
- 2018: 60-80 (4th in Division)
- 2019: 68-71 (3rd in Division)
- 2021: 64-55 (1st in Division) Won Division title but missed post-season.
The 2020 season was canceled due to Covid-19.
Former RoughRiders Players
196 former RoughRiders have made their MLB debuts, of those 109 have made their debut with the Texas Rangers.
Chris Young– Current GM of the Texas Rangers (August 24, 2004), CJ Wilson (June 10, 2005), Ian Kinsler (April 3, 2006), Elvis Andrus (April 6, 2009).
Top crowds at Riders Field
The Frisco RoughRiders have been known to draw a good-sized crowd. In fact, from 2005- to 2019, they led Double-A in attendance. The top attended game was the Dude Perfect Night, as mentioned above on July 20, 2018, when they drew a crowd of 12,067.
The following dates are other attendance records:
- 12,067- Dude Perfect Night – July 20, 2018
- 11,927 – Full House Night – June 12, 2015
- 11,915 – May 8, 2015
- 11,897 – Cinco De Mayo Celebration – May 5, 2017
Corny Dogs
Every August the RoughRiders transform into the Frisco Corny dogs paying respect to the popular State Fair of Texas and the Fletchers Corny dog.
Dallas Black Giants
The RoughRiders announced on February 10, 2022 that they will play three games as the Dallas Black Giants paying homage to the Dallas team in the Negro Leagues. The first date will be on Sunday Juneteenth (19th).
Copa de la Diversión
There will be 85 teams that participate in 2022 and the RoughRiders are one of them. This is a season-long event series that is designed to embrace the local Hispanic communities. This series is extremely popular with the other teams participating. The teams uniforms are expected to be revealed in March of 2022.
Food at Riders Field
The RoughRiders partnered with RS3 Hospitality starting for the 2022 season to improve the fan experience and overhaul the food and beverage options at the ballpark. Fans will find that there are more options and will please almost any taste bud. You will still find the traditional ballpark favorites like hot dogs and nachos but you can enjoy BBQ brisket nachos. You can get a better idea of the menu here.
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