Family Works: GUMBEAUX GATORS

by Kerri Cooke

If you haven’t heard of the Gumbeaux Gators, you’re missing out on one of summer’s hottest entertainment opportunities in Southwest Louisiana.

The team, a summer collegiate wood bat baseball team, was founded in 2023 as a partnership between Visit Lake Charles and an independent ownership group. 

Sharamie and Mike Moore were involved as stakeholders from the beginning. Sharamie’s passion is the dance team she founded, The Gator Girls, and Mike’s motivation is his passion for all sports since he is a former McNeese student athlete. He said, “My nephew played in the minor leagues. I wanted to bring this experience to Lake Charles.” 

In 2025, the Moores only missed one baseball game. (There are 48 games in 56 days, with 24 played at McNeese.) The couple said they are “good partners all the way around and balance each other out” as they own three businesses together. 

In 2024, the Gumbeaux Gators became a part of the Texas Collegiate League, TCL. And, in October 2025, Ronnie Rantz, CEO and president of the LA Sports Hall of Fame Foundation, owner of the Baton Rouge Rougerous and chairman of the Louisiana State Athletic Commission, became majority stakeholder for the Gumbeaux Gators, buying out the previous ownership group. 

As one of the eight teams in the TCL, there are three primary reasons baseball players are drawn to the Gumbeaux Gators. They want to improve their skills, be seen by professional scouts and potentially be recruited by another school if they are part of the transfer portal. Players become eligible to play for the Gumbeaux Gators through a recruitment process and play for the summer while staying with local host families. (There are applications online if you would like to be a host family.) 

Dancers who are the part of The Gator Girls get noticed as well. Two Gator Girls are currently finalists to be Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. While girls from other cities participate, some members of McNeese’s Cowgirl Kickers take part too. “The Gator Girls are extremely talented and they have a large fan base,” said Sharamie. 

Rantz said his goal is to “do everything better. To have bigger crowds and better entertainment and food.” Sharamie said Rantz has been a “great mentor,” as she discussed how her and Mike were attempting to do too much and are learning how to make the best use of resources. 

Gumbeaux Gator has been the mascot of the league since the beginning, but he has gotten a makeover with a brand-new suit. Now primarily referred to as “Beaux,” the suit has a more modern appearance and provides a much freer range of motion. 

Another way the Gumbeaux Gators helps students is through a partnership with McNeese. Sharamie and Mike talk to classes to recruit interns to work at the “jeaux,” Joe Miller Ballpark, during the summer for college credit. Those working toward a degree in fields such as mass communication, marketing or business administration can get their internship credit and learn all the facets of running a ballpark at the same time. This is especially helpful for those who want to work in the sports field as they don’t have to leave the area for an appropriate internship. 

This year Friday Night Fireworks is an event being added to the entertainment agenda. The show will start at the 7th inning stretch, about halfway through the game. There are also VIP tickets for sale, which offer reserved seating and an all-you-can-eat meal ticket with one regular drink and two alcoholic drinks available.  

What Rantz and the Moores want the community to know is the Gumbeaux Gators offer a family-friendly, entertaining and affordable opportunity. There are 24 home games from June 2 to July 26. Nights are themed, with the opening game, dubbed the Mardi Party, on June 2. The ballpark will host baby alligators from the Gator Chateau, a chicken run and the Cajun French Music Association There will also be a Princess and Superhero night, a Youth Sports Night, a 4th of July event, a Christmas in July night and a Salute to Service Night. Games begin at 7:00 p.m. and gates open at 6:00 p.m.  

For more information, visit gumbeauxgators.com.