The crack of a bat, the roar of the crowd, and the playful banter of Crazy J with a longtime fan, are just some of the things local fans have enjoyed for more than 30 years on summer nights at LoanMart Field. The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes have been more than just a local minor league baseball team. They’ve been a sporting heartbeat of our community.

But as the 2024-2025 season winds down, the Quakes find themselves at the end of an era. With Sunday’s game marking the close of this season, it also marks the final time these Dodgers prospects will play in Rancho Cucamonga. Starting in 2026, the Quakes will affiliate with the Los Angeles Angels, returning to a partnership last seen from 2001 to 2010. The team name will remain. But the players, and their path to the big leagues, will definitely change.

For some fans, that legacy is personal. “I’ve been coming to the Quakes games since they first started on April 8, 1993,” said Cheryl Purdue, a season ticket holder. “It’s fun to see the players that are going to be future Major League players, hopefully Dodgers, and of course to see Crazy J and Tremor and Aftershock.”

Tremor, the team’s Rallysaurus mascot, remains a favorite for fans young and old. “Seeing Tremor,” said four-year-old Cayden Sovino without hesitation when asked his favorite part of the game. Even two-year-old Jaxon Carlin finds joy at LoanMart, pointing proudly to the scoreboard: “Looking at the numbers right there.”

Grace Mikuriya, the Quakes’ director of marketing and promotions, sees the ballpark as more than a place for baseball. “The game is very family-friendly and the atmosphere as well. It brings together Dodger fans, but it also brings together people who don’t even know much about baseball. They come just to hang out and see people.”

That atmosphere wouldn’t be complete without Crazy J, the team’s longtime on-field entertainer. “I like to go right in the middle of the stadium and stand up on the railing and yell, ‘HEY!’ And they’ll say, ‘Hey?’ and I’m like, no, ‘HEY!’ That’s how I get them going and it’s really fun.”

Crazy J has seen affiliations come and go, but his love for the team and its place in Rancho remains steady. “Because I was here when the team played as Angels players, I just see it more as local baseball. The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are going to be here regardless.”

Not all fans agree with the change of major league pipelines. “We don’t like it,” said die-hard Dodgers fan Steven Brown, who attended with his family. “We are still gonna come here and wear our Dodgers clothes even though there are going to be Angels affiliates starting next season.”

Players and staff also share the bittersweet emotions. When asked what makes the local Quakes special, Manager John Shoemaker said, “The community comes out and watches a lot of games. Minor league baseball is a big deal in a lot of towns and especially here in Rancho.”

Shoemaker keeps the clubhouse focused on positivity, even during tough stretches. “When we win, we have nine songs we play inside – victory songs. When we lose, it’s a little quieter for a few minutes, and then we just move along to the next day. Trying to stay positive is a big thing.”

Players, too, recognize the unique fan support. “The people love coming to Quakes games, especially over the summer or towards the beginning of the season and on weekends,” said pitcher Connor Godwin. “There are a lot of fans and people are always happy to see the players.”

While Godwin’s own future may lie in higher levels of the game, he values the Quakes’ role in his journey. “By the time the Quakes have moved, I’m hoping to have been promoted to a higher level. If I start the next year here in Ontario, it is what it is. It would be fun to play for them, but I’m not sure if I’ll ever be there.”

For fans and staff alike, this final season has been about savoring the last chapter with the LA Dodgers. “It’s kind of bittersweet the last few weeks, just knowing the people I see every day aren’t going to be here anymore,” said Mikuriya. “Our manager, John Shoemaker, has been here since I’ve been here, and I’ve built a great relationship with him. Knowing that time is coming to an end is bittersweet.”