By North Louisiana Business Journal Staff Writer

Baton Rouge Rougarou owner Ronnie Rantz is expanding his reach in summer league baseball, adding the Lake Charles Gumbeaux Gators to his portfolio. Both franchises compete in the Texas Collegiate League, a wooden bat summer circuit for college players.

Building on Success in Baton Rouge

Rantz has built the Rougarou into one of the TCL’s most successful teams. Under his ownership, Baton Rouge captured the league championship this past summer, capping a dominant 40-11 season. He plans to apply the same strategy in Lake Charles, emphasizing strong local partnerships and community engagement.

The Gumbeaux Challenge

The Gumbeaux Gators are one of the TCL’s newest teams, founded in 2024. They play at Joe Miller Park—known locally as “The Jeaux”—on the McNeese campus. Despite struggles on the field, including a combined record of 29-66 over two seasons, the Gators have drawn enthusiastic support. Attendance surpassed the 2,000 mark on multiple occasions this summer, even as the team managed just nine wins.

A Baseball Man at the Helm

Rantz, an Alexandria native, is deeply rooted in Louisiana baseball. He was a left-handed pitcher on LSU’s 1991 and 1993 national championship teams and later pitched in the San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers minor league systems. Beyond his playing career, he serves as Chairman of the Louisiana State Athletic Commission and has been CEO and President of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches since 2016. He is also widely known as a sports broadcaster and analyst, with regular roles on radio and television.

Looking Ahead

With a proven model of success in Baton Rouge, Rantz’s leadership signals a new chapter for the Gumbeaux Gators. The combination of strong community interest, established facilities, and experienced ownership places the Lake Charles franchise in position for long-term growth.