The Wisconsin Woodchucks extended the St. Cloud River Bats losing streak to 7 games, beating them 15 to 5 on Sunday night. Wisconsin was led by Brent Weaver who had a 3 run home run and Kyle Bubak who had 5 RBI in the win. St. Cloud was led by Brian Humphries and Kevin Johnson, both had 2 RBI in the loss.
Yesterday I finalized a schedule for myself to make up for lost time and travel to 21 games in 10 Northwoods League cities in the final 25 days of the regular season. It seems like a lot and it may come with some difficulities but that is my current plan. I didn’t get to as many parks in the first half of the year as I would’ve liked to but I knew that traveling the League would be easier after the all-star break.
My journey started last night in St. Cloud and will continue this afternoon in Duluth. It was the second game I’ve seen this year in St. Cloud and this will be the first in Duluth. St. Cloud’s Joe Faber Field looks as good as ever, and the presentation of the game and the variety of activities that go with it were done as well as anywhere in the League. They had post-game fireworks that were some of the best I remember seeing in the League the past seven years. I’m not a big fireworks guy. To me, there doesn’t seem to be a lot that can be done differently from one fireworks show to the next. Well, last night was different. The pace that the fireworks launched was as fast as I ever remember seeing. It was non-stop all over the sky for the better part of ten minutes. I truly and thoroughly enjoyed a fireworks show for the first time in a couple years (I’m thinking the 2006 All-Star Game in La Crosse had a really good show). Kudos to St. Cloud.
There were some other things I really liked last night. The party deck at Joe Faber Field, “The Charter Sports Deck built by Rhino Deck”, was built last year and it’s really well done. It’s down the third base line and closer to home plate than most around the League. Specifically why it’s great is because its massive (something like 3,000 square feet) and it’s got the newly stained look and feel. It’s very inviting. Oh and the food is spectactular! My point is, what was neat about last night, the River Bats and Rhino Deck partnered on a deck giveaway. After the game about a dozen fans were on the field with a chance to win a free deck from Rhino Deck. One lucky fan went home with that prize. That’s an exciting promotion.
What else? Jeneo Turkey sponsors the “Fowl Pole” down both lines. Why is that so great you might ask? It’s a day later, I remember it and I’m blogging about it. It stood out and that should be the goal of any business that hangs a banner or sign anywhere in a ballpark.
They had a Famous Dave’s rib eating contest during the game for a half inning (it took place on the Charter Sports Deck). Some dude ate 18 ribs in about ten minutes to win the competion. He won a free meal (a second free meal, I suppose) and has a chance to win a grand prize of some sort later in the year.
There was more to like about last night’s Joe Faber Field/St. Cloud River Bats experience but I’ll stop there. As I continue my travels during the final 25 days of the regular season I’ll blog about more unique things from ballparks around the Northwoods League. Hopefully I see as many positives elsewhere as I did in St. Cloud. Honestly though, it’s going to be tough. St. Cloud does a really great job.
Curt Carstensen
Director of Operations
Northwoods League
You may have seen the lastest Gatorade commercial during Tuesday night’s MLB All-Star Game. If not you can view it on YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SqJz0NgnnE&feature=related. The Tacoma Rainers batter in the commercial is Brent Johnson. He played for the Madison Mallards in 2001. The commericial itself is ficitional, but an at-bat between Johnson and the pitcher Victor Santos would have taken place on April 17th in either the second or fourth inning when the Fresno Grizzlies hosted Tacoma in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. The commercial says that the at-bat happened in the 7th inning and the stat line posted for Johnson was also fictional. In fact, Johnson has played the bulk of the season at Double-A in Jackson, Tennessee with the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx of the Southern League. There he is hitting .314 in 45 games with 15 doubles, two home runs, and 21 RBI.
The Philadelphia Phillies recalled 2003 Duluth Huskies pitcher Joe Bisenius. He made the opening day roster with the Phillies in 2007 and appeared in only two games. He has not been in the big leagues since. The Phillies resume play tomorrow with a series in Florida against the Marlins. Bisenius has spent most of the season at Double-A where he is 2-3 with a 3.62 ERA pitching out of the bullpen for the Reading Phillies of the Eastern League. He had recently been promoted to Triple-A. Read more here.
Last week the San Diego Padres outrighted OF Paul McAnulty to Triple-A, which removed him from San Diego’s 40-Man Roster. He cleared waivers and accepted his assignment with the Portland Beavers. In his first five games he is 10-for-18, which is a .556 batting average. McAnulty shared the outfield with Detroit Tigers OF Curtis Granderson with the Mankato Mashers in 2001. Read more here.
Alexandria Beetles 2001 LHP Josh Newman experienced a similar fate to McAnulty last week. He was designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies. Unlike McAnulty, Newman didn’t clear waivers. He was claimed by the Kansas City Royals, placed on their 40-Man Roster, and assigned to Triple-A Omaha. Read more here.
Alexandria Beetles 2002 RHP Carlos Muniz took advantage of the latest Pedro Martinez injury. Muniz pitched two scoreless innings of relief on Saturday when Martinez left after four innings with shoulder stiffness. The Mets had the lead through four innings and won the game 3-0 against Colorado, thus giving Muniz credit for his first Major League win.
Baltimore Orioles LHP George Sherrill became the first Northwoods League alumnus to appear in a Major League Baseball All-Star Game Tuesday when he entered the game with two outs in the top of the 12th inning. He struck out San Diego 1B Adrian Gonzalez to end the inning.
He returned to the mound and pitched a scoreless 13th and 14th inning. The American League eventually won the game 4-3 in 15 innings.
Sherrill pitched for the Northwoods League’s now defunct Kenosha Kroakers in 1997 and 1998.
Coming into the event, it was widely thought that a left-handed hitter would excel given that the “Duck Pond’s” right-field wall was shortened to 295 2/3’ to make way for a Duck Blind addition (left field sits 320’ from home plate). However, a steady 25 mile-an-hour breeze from right-field kept lefties at bay all day.
Madison, WI - July 11, 2008. Following the 2008 Northwoods League All-Star game on Monday, July 14 at the “Duck Pond,” fans will have the unique opportunity to take home a piece of the action while giving to a great cause. Game-worn jerseys from every All-Star player will be available for purchase, but only if you are the highest bidder! For those who can’t wait until game-time, an online auction has been set up to take your bids in secret. The winning fans will take the jerseys home after the game. Proceeds from the jersey auction will benefit the Madison Children’s Museum, with opening bids starting at $50.
Fans interested in bidding on a jersey can do so by visiting mallardsbaseball.com and clicking on the link for the auction. There will be a pull-down menu where you will be able to select which player’s jersey you would like to bid on. After filling out a brief questionnaire with important contact information, fans will be able to enter their bid. The current bid amount for a player’s jersey will be tracked on the auction section of mallardsbaseball.com.
On the day of the All-Star game there will be a table set up listing the current bid on each player’s jersey. Fans can keep placing bids in-person until the 7th inning. Immediately after the game the winner will be announced and the jerseys will be taken right from the players’ backs and into your hands!
You’ll notice on the Northwoods League homepage that Duluth Huskies outfielder Chris House (Georgia Tech) has replaced injured St. Cloud River Bats outfielder Christian Ramirez (Cal State L.A) on the North Division roster.
Two corrections from the original announcement: Madison outfielder Rob Lyerly was mistakenly written as “Roy” Lyerly and Madison pitcher Gabriel Shaw was listed as being a junior from Northern Illinois when he is actually a freshman from Louisville.
Waterloo, IA - The Waterloo Bucks will return to historic Riverfront Stadium on Friday, July 11 when they play host to the Green Bay Bullfrogs. The Bucks open their two-game series with Green Bay at 7:05 pm on Friday with gates opening at 5:30 pm for the first time since they shut on June 1. Waterloo will continue to play in Riverfront for the remainder of the season.
Fans are encouraged to come out and support the Bucks and their sponsors on their re-opener, as any tickets not used for the games cancelled due to flooding will be honored, that includes Buck night admission coupons. Gates will open at 5:30 pm on Friday for Miller Lite happy hour featuring 1 dollar Miller Lite draws until 6:30 pm. The game will conclude with a bang, as there will be a fireworks show sponsored by Courier Communications and it is Veridian Credit Union Night with free tickets available from Veridian.
Major cleanup efforts and an electrical overhaul of the stadium will allow the Bucks to get back to playing in front of the greatest fans in the Northwoods League. A special thanks needs to go out to our fans, season ticket holders, and sponsors for their continued support during these trying times for the Bucks organization.
UPDATED PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE
Friday, July 11 - 7:05 pm vs. Green Bay Bullfrogs - GATES OPEN AT 5:30 FOR MILLER LITE HAPPY HOUR FEATURING 1 DOLLAR MILLER LITE DRAWS UNTIL 6:30 - 2ND HALF OPENING NIGHT - FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA POWERED BY COURIER COMMUNICATIONS - VERIDIAN CREDIT UNION NIGHT - TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM VERIDIAN - PRIZES EVERY INNING PLUS YOUTH & ADULT GRAND PRIZES FROM VERIDIAN - STEAK N SHAKE NIGHT ON THE PARTY DECK - FOOD FROM STEAK N SHAKE - ANY TICKETS FROM FLOODED OUT GAMES (JUNE 8-JULY 3) WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR ADMISSION - ANY 1 DOLLAR ADMISSION BUCK NIGHT COUPONS FROM FLOODED OUT GAMES (JUNE 9-30) MAY BE REDEEMED AT TICKET OFFICE FOR 1 DOLLAR ADMISSION
Saturday, July 12 - 7:05 pm vs. Green Bay Bullfrogs - GATES OPEN AT 5:30 FOR MILLER LITE HAPPY HOUR FEATURING 1 DOLLAR MILLER LITE DRAWS UNTIL 6:30 - FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA POWERED BY UAW LOCAL 838 - UAW LOCAL 838 & Y99.3 KWAY NIGHT - TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM UAW LOCAL 838 - TAKE THE SHIRT OFF THEIR BACK NIGHT FOR JERRY’S KIDS-MDA - GET A BUCKS PLAYER GAME JERSEY - TICKETS JUNE 8 WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR ADMISSION
Wednesday, July 16 - 7:05 pm vs. Eau Claire Express -133RD INFANTRY RETURN ANNIVERSARY POWERED BY GUBBELS ONE HOUR HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING - TOADS BAR & GRILL & COOL 105.7 NIGHT - ON PRESS ROW WEDNESDAY - LISTEN TO ON PRESS ROW WITH THE SPORTS GUY ON NEWS TALK 1540 AM TO WIN TICKETS - MEDIACOM FAMILY PLAN - GET FOUR TICKETS, FOUR HOT DOGS, FOUR POPCORNS, FOUR FOUNTAIN SODAS, AND A SOUVENIR PROGRAM FOR 30 DOLLARS - FIRST SELECTED FANS RECEIVE BUCKS CHEER SIGNS POWERED BY PIZZA HUT - 1 DOLLAR ADMISSION COUPONS FROM JUNE 9 GAME MAY BE REDEEMED AT TICKET OFFICE FOR 1 DOLLAR ADMISSION
Thursday, July 17 - 7:05 pm vs. Eau Claire Express - WOLFE REALTORS THIRSTY THURSDAY POWERED BY WOLFE REALTORS & Q92.3 FEATURING BEER & FOUNTAIN SODA - LISTEN TO Q92.3 TO WIN TICKETS - AABLE PEST CONTROL & FAMILIES FIRST NIGHT - TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM AABLE PEST CONTROL & BY LISTENING TO 97.7 KCRR COURTESY OF FAMILIES FIRST - PRIZES FROM AABLE PEST CONTROL - FIRST 200 ADULTS RECEIVE CAN COOZIES COURTESY OF WOLFE REALTORS - ONE LUCKY FAN WILL WIN A TWO NIGHTS STAY IN KANSAS CITY & ROYALS TICKETS POWERED BY HUMBLE TRAVEL - TICKETS FROM JUNE 20 GAME WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR ADMISSION
Sunday, July 20 - 3:05 pm vs. Battle Creek Bombers - CUMULUS MEDIA, AMERICINN LODGE & SUITES, WOLFE REALTORS, 97.7 KCRR, & KWWL DAY - TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM CUMULUS & AMERICINN - MEDIACOM FAMILY PLAN - GET FOUR TICKETS, FOUR HOT DOGS, FOUR POPCORNS, FOUR FOUNTAIN SODAS, AND A SOUVENIR PROGRAM FOR - ONE LUCKY FAN WILL WIN A TWO NIGHTS STAY IN MINNEAPOLIS & BASEBALL TICKETS POWERED BY HUMBLE TRAVEL - FIRST SELECTED FANS RECEIVE BUCKS CHEER SIGNS POWERED BY PIZZA HUT - SPONSORSHIP SUNDAY - TICKETS FROM JUNE 12 GAME WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR ADMISSION
Monday, July 21 - 7:05 pm vs. Battle Creek Bombers - THE PUMP HAUS BUCK NIGHT POWERED BY PUMP HAUS & COOL 105.7 - 1 DOLLAR ADMISSION COUPONS AVAILABLE FROM PUMP HAUS & COOL 105.7 - 1 DOLLAR BEER, 1 DOLLAR HOT DOGS, & 1 DOLLAR POPCORN - ON PRESS ROW & CROSSROADS CENTER NIGHT - FIRST SELECTED FANS RECEIVE BUCKS CHEER SIGNS POWERED BY PIZZA HUT - TICKETS FROM JUNE 11 & JUNE 14 GAMES WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR ADMISSION
Tuesday, July 22 - 7:05 pm vs. Duluth Huskies - MONEY AND MORE, FAZOLI’S, & ROCK 108 PACK THE PARK NIGHT - TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM MONEY AND MORE - PACK THE PARK NIGHT - FAT TUESDAY POWERED BY Y99.3 KWAY - WITH THE PURCHASE OF A BOX SEAT TICKET, FANS WILL RECEIVE ONE FOUNTAIN SODA AND ALL THE HOT DOGS, HAMBURGERS, AND BRATWURST THEY CAN EAT FOR 10 DOLLAR - MEDIACOM FAMILY PLAN - GET 4 TICKETS, 4 HOT DOGS, 4 POPCORNS, 4 FOUNTAIN SODAS, AND A SOUVENIR PROGRAM FOR 30 DOLLARS - DOMINO’S KIDS CLUB PIZZA PARTY - 1 DOLLAR ADMISSION COUPONS FROM JUNE 16 GAME MAY BE REDEEMED AT TICKET OFFICE FOR 1 DOLLAR ADMISSION
Wednesday, July 23 - 7:05 pm vs. Duluth Huskies - WOLFE REALTORS, Q92.3, GROUND ROUND, & POTS & PANS NIGHT - FANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BRING THEIR POTS & PANS TO THE GAME TO USE AS NOISE MAKERS - AFTER THE GAME, FANS CAN DONATE THEIR POTS & PANS OR OTHER NEW OR GENTLY USED ITEMS TO GOODWILL INDUSTRIES AT THE BALLPARK - ON PRESS ROW WEDNESDAY - LISTEN TO ON PRESS ROW WITH THE SPORTS GUY ON NEWS TALK 1540 AM TO WIN TICKETS - MEDIACOM FAMILY PLAN - GET 4 TICKETS, 4 HOT DOGS, 4 POPCORNS, 4 FOUNTAIN SODAS, AND A SOUVENIR PROGRAM FOR 30 DOLLARS - FIRST SELECTED FANS RECEIVE BUCKS CHEER SIGNS POWERED BY PIZZA HUT - TICKETS FROM JUNE 19 GAME WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR ADMISSION
Monday, July 28 - 7:05 pm vs. Eau Claire Express - JUNIE’S RESTAURANT BUCK NIGHT POWERED BY JUNIE’S, & ROCK 108 - 1 DOLLAR ADMISSION COUPONS AVAILABLE FROM JUNIE’S RESTAURANT IN ELK RUN HEIGHTS OFF HIGHWAY 20, EXIT 68 & ROCK 108 - 1 DOLLAR BEER, 1 DOLLAR HOT DOGS, & 1 DOLLAR POPCORN - BASEBALL CARD NIGHT POWERED BY STRATTON CHARTERS AND COURIER COMMUNICATIONS - FIRST 750 KIDS RECEIVE A SET OF 2008 BUCKS BASEBALL CARDS COURTESY OF STRATTON CHARTERS AND COURIER COMMUNICATIONS - KBBG, LINCOLN SAVINGS BANK, & JANESVILLE LITTLE LEAGUE NIGHT - TICKETS FROM JUNE 13 & JUNE 15 GAMES WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR ADMISSION
Tuesday, July 29 - 7:05 pm vs. Eau Claire Express - FAT TUESDAY POWERED BY Y99.3 KWAY - WITH THE PURCHASE OF A BOX SEAT TICKET, FANS WILL RECEIVE ONE FOUNTAIN SODA AND ALL THE HOT DOGS, HAMBURGERS, AND BRATWURST THEY CAN EAT FOR 10 DOLLARS - MEDIACOM FAMILY PLAN - GET 4 TICKETS, 4 HOT DOGS, 4 POPCORNS, 4 FOUNTAIN SODAS, AND A SOUVENIR PROGRAM FOR 30 DOLLARS - 2008 BUCKS AUTOGRAPHED BASEBALL NIGHT POWERED BY CASEY’S GENERAL STORE - HALLOWEEN - PRIZES FOR BEST HALLOWEEN COSTUMES - MULLIGAN’S & COOL 105.7 NIGHT - FIRST 500 FANS RECEIVE “BUCK EAU CLAIRE” T-SHIRT POWERED BY ADVANTAGE SCREENPRINT & EMBROIDERY - 1 DOLLAR ADMISSION COUPONS FROM JUNE 23 GAME MAY BE REDEEMED AT TICKET OFFICE FOR 1 DOLLAR ADMISSION
Monday, August 4 - 7:05 pm vs. La Crosse Loggers - WATERLOO SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION BUCK NIGHT POWERED BY WATERLOO SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION & COOL 105.7 - 1 DOLLAR ADMISSION COUPONS AVAILABLE FROM WATERLOO SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION AT HOING-RICE COMPLEX & COOL 105.7 - 1 DOLLAR BEER, 1 DOLLAR HOT DOGS, & 1 DOLLAR POPCORN - THE ISLE CASINO & HOTEL AT WATERLOO NIGHT - BUCKS WILL WEAR SPECIAL “THE ISLE” JERSEYS DURING THE GAME - FANS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO PURCHASE GAME-WORN JERSEYS AFTER THE GAME - TICKETS FROM JULY 2 GAME WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR ADMISSION
Tuesday, August 5 - 7:05 pm vs. La Crosse Loggers - FAT TUESDAY POWERED BY Y99.3 KWAY - WITH THE PURCHASE OF A BOX SEAT TICKET, FANS WILL RECEIVE ONE FOUNTAIN SODA AND ALL THE HOT DOGS, HAMBURGERS, AND BRATWURST THEY CAN EAT FOR 10 DOLLARS - MEDIACOM FAMILY PLAN - GET 4 TICKETS, 4 HOT DOGS, 4 POPCORNS, 4 FOUNTAIN SODAS, AND A SOUVENIR PROGRAM FOR 30 DOLLARS - POPEYES, ROCK 108, & SPONSOR APPRECIATION NIGHT - 1 DOLLAR ADMISSION COUPONS FROM JUNE 30 GAME MAY BE REDEEMED AT TICKET OFFICE FOR 1 DOLLAR ADMISSION
Sunday, August 10 - 3:05 pm vs. Mankato MoonDogs - CANDLEWOOD SUITES, WOLFE REALTORS, 97.7 KCRR, COMMUNITY AUTO GROUP, & WATERLOO BLACK HAWKS DAY AT THE PARK - TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM CANDLEWOOD SUITES - MEDIACOM FAMILY PLAN - GET 4 TICKETS, 4 HOT DOGS, 4 POPCORNS, 4 FOUNTAIN SODAS, AND A SOUVENIR PROGRAM FOR 30 DOLLARS - BUCKS WILL WEAR BLACK HAWKS BASEBALL JERSEYS - FANS CAN PURCHASE GAME-WORN BLACK HAWKS BASEBALL JERSEYS DURING & AFTER THE GAME - TICKETS FROM JULY 3 GAME WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR ADMISSION
Monday, August 11 - 7:05 pm vs. Mankato MoonDogs - FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA POWERED BY KWWL - PITA PIT BUCK NIGHT POWERED BY PITA PIT & ROCK 108 - 1 DOLLAR ADMISSION COUPONS AVAILABLE FROM PITA PIT & ROCK 108 - 1 DOLLAR BEER, 1 HOT DOGS DOLLAR, & 1 DOLLAR POPCORN - COLLEGE SQUARE MALL & FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT - ONE LUCKY FAN WILL WIN A 250 DOLLAR GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM ROTH JEWELERS - TICKETS FROM JUNE 21 GAME WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR ADMISSION
At 11:50pm on a Monday night, you’d think that the game scheduled for 6:30 that night would’ve been long over with and the lights would be off but instead the final out was being recorded as the Wisconsin Woodchucks beat the Waterloo Bucks 11 to 4 after a 2 hour rain delay. Jeff Cowan had a 2 run home run and ended by going 3 for 4. The Woodchucks scored 10 unanswered and are now in 1st place in the South Division.
The 2008 Northwoods League All-Star teams have been announced and are posted on the Northwoods League’s news page. http://www.northwoodsleague.com/Newsroom.asp