Archive for July, 2012
Saturday, July 28th, 2012
LA CROSSE, Wis. (July 28, 2012) – The La Crosse Loggers baseball club has been and continues to celebrate its 10-year anniversary season in 2012 and will do so in a very big way this Saturday night when the 1,000,000th fan walks through the turnstiles at Copeland Park.
Since the Loggers inception in 2003, they have ranked second nationally in summer collegiate attendance in each of their ten years of existence, trailing only the Madison Mallards. La Crosse is once again on pace to draw over 100,000 fans for the eighth consecutive season as they are currently averaging over 2,900 fans per opening.
The Loggers broke a Northwoods League expansion team record in 2003 when they drew 86,991 fans over 32 openings (2,718/game). From 2004 through 2011, La Crosse then averaged near or above 3,000 fans/game during each of those eight seasons.
Add all of that up and The Lumberyard is ready to welcome in the 1,000,000th fan in Loggers history on Saturday night, July 28 when La Crosse plays host to the Battle Creek Bombers at 6:05 p.m. Gates open at 5 and a celebration and large prize package awaits whomever becomes lucky number 1 million.
The One Millionth Fan in Loggers History will receive …
- 1,000,000th Fan Jersey
- $100 Kwik Card
- $500 Cash
- Ceremonial First Pitch for a Select Game
- FREE 2013 Season Ticket
- Free Logger Dogs for a Season (1/game – 2013)
- Autographed Team Ball & Bat – 2012 Team
- Brett Jackson Autographed Baseball
- Dinner & Treats from Dairy Queen/Texas Roadhouse
- “Logger Experience”: Batting Practice with the Team, Present Lineup Card with Coach McKay for a Select Game, Race in a Leinenkugel’s Beer Bottle, Spend an Inning On Air with John Pappadopolous, Enjoy a Post-Game Meal with Players
The Loggers were also first-half Southern Division Champs this season and will be taking part in the 2012 Northwoods League Divisional Playoffs on August 13-15. Tickets are available online at www.lacrosseloggers.com or by calling the Loggers ticket office at 608-796-9553.
Tags: La Crosse Loggers, Northwoods League
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Thursday, July 26th, 2012
 Carrie Tollefson, photo courtesy of Willmar Stingers. WILLMAR, Minn. (July 25, 2012) — Former Olympians and Minnesota natives Carrie Tollefson and Brad Rheingans will be on hand at the Willmar Stingers’ July 31 game against the Rochester Honkers as part of Olympics Night presented by Central Minnesota Christian School.
In honor of the 2012 Olympic Games taking place in London, the Bee Hive will be home to the Stingers Olympics, complete with opening and closing ceremonies, Olympic events, gold, silver and bronze medals and a host of Olympic-themed music and decorations. The game Tuesday is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Tollefson is a distance runner who competed in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece after winning the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 1500-meter run that year. A native of Dawson, Minn., Tollefson won her first Minnesota state cross country high school title as an eighth grader. She won four more, setting a state record for consecutive wins. By the time she left Dawson, Carrie had thirteen Minnesota state high school titles in track and cross country to her name.
Tollefson’s success continued at the collegiate ranks. At Villanova, she won the 1998 NCAA Cross Country individual title for the Wildcats before becoming the first woman to win titles at both the 3000-meter and 5000-meter runs at the same NCAA Outdoor Championship. In total, Tollefson claimed five NCAA Championships during her time at Villanova. Later in her career, Tollefson claimed national titles in the U.S. Indoor 3000 meter and the U.S. Four-Kilometer Cross Country Championship in 2006. Tollefson now resides in St. Paul and had a daughter, Ruby Anne Peterson, along with her husband Charlie Peterson in April 2010.
Rheingans was an NCAA champion wrestler in 1975 for North Dakota State before taking fourth place in the 220-pound weight class at the 1976 Olympics. Under today’s Olympic scoring system, Rheingans would have qualified for the gold-medal match. A native of Appleton, Minn., Rheingans also qualified for the Olympic team in 1980 but did not compete due to the United States boycott. In 1984, he served as an assistant coach at the Olympic Games held in Los Angeles.
Rheingans received NCAA All-American honors in 1975 and was a two-time U.S. Senior Greco-Roman Champion in his career. He entered the professional ranks of wrestling in 1983. Billed as “The Olympians,” Rheingans combined with former Olympic weightlifter Ken Patera in 1984 to win the AWA tag-team championship. In addition to coaching amateur wrestlers throughout his career, Rheingans also trained numerous professional wrestlers, including Justin Bradshaw and “Vader” Leon White. Rheingans’ school appeared on “The Best Damn Sports Show Period” in 2003. He was inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2004.
Tags: Accardo, Brad Rheingans, Central Minnesota Christian School, Northwoods League, Olympics, Rochester Honkers, Willmar Stingers
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Friday, July 20th, 2012
MADISON, Wis. (July 19, 2012) — The Madison Mallards are pleased to announce a partnership with the Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans called Strike Out Hunger. For every Mallards strikeout of an opposing player this season, Thrivent Financial will donate 60 meals to Second Harvest Foodbank’s Kids Cafe Program. The Kids Cafe Program provides free meals and snacks to at least 1,500 children facing hunger each month through eight Dane County sites. From July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011, 116,000 meals and 35,000 snacks were provided. The promotion once again demonstrates the Mallards commitment to service in the Dane County community.
The partnership between the Mallards and Second Harvest Foodbank will feature a variety of promotions that will raise awareness about hunger in southwestern Wisconsin, including Strike Out Hunger Night with Thrivent Financial at the ballpark. On a July 7th home game, fans had the opportunity to learn more about Second Harvest Foodbank and make a cash donation. In addition, the Mallards have been distributing a monthly newsletter that gives updates on the Foodbank.
Before each game, Mallards fans will hear an announcement that explains the Strike Out Hunger promotion. And for various strikeouts during the game, the Mallards will announce that another donation has been made to Second Harvest Foodbank.
About Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin
Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending hunger in southwestern Wisconsin through community partnerships, serving nearly 141,000 people who struggle to put food on the table, including 43 percent who are children. Through food and financial donations and volunteer support, Second Harvest Foodbank acquires and distributes food to 300 partner agencies, including food pantries, shelters and meal sites, in 16 counties. From July 1, 2010–June 30, 2011, Second Harvest Foodbank distributed 8.6 million pounds of food. It is one of 200 members of Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity. For more information, visit www.SecondHarvestMadison.org.
About Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a Fortune 500 financial services membership organization helping approximately 2.6 million members achieve their financial goals and give back to their communities. Thrivent Financial and its affiliates offer a broad range of financial products and services. As a not-for-profit organization, Thrivent Financial sponsors national outreach programs and activities that support congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. For more information, visit www.thrivent.com.
The Madison Mallards are part of the 16-team Northwoods League. The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games and draws more fans than any other Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America.
Tags: Madison Mallards, Second Harvest Foodbank, Thrivent Financial
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Thursday, July 19th, 2012
 Lakeshore Chinooks' Ryan Krill (center) and his hosts, the McCarthy family: Romy (from left), Brendan, and their twins, Brynn and Keagan. Photo by Kristyna Wentz-Graff, Milwaukee-Journal Sentinel MEQUON, Wis. (July 14, 2012) — There are a lot of people that make Northwoods League teams function every summer. You, of course, have the owners, general managers, interns, coaches and the players themselves. However, there’s one very special group of people who often get overlooked when it comes to the success of summer leagues like the NWL: the host families.
Almost all players are hosted by complete strangers when they come into the NWL to play. It becomes a home away from home for a lot of these players. These families give up a lot for three months to make sure these players have everything they need when they come home every night from the field. Without them, a league like the NWL would be nearly impossible to stay successful.
For one story of a host family and their player, we invite you to read an excellent article done by Bill Glauber of the Milwaukee-Journal Sentinel on Lakeshore Chinooks’ first baseman Ryan Krill and the McCarthy family. And if you see a host family at your local ballpark, be sure to give them a thank you for contributing to the success of the Northwoods League.
Tags: Baseball, Lakeshore Chinooks, Mequon, Michigan State, Milwaukee, Milwaukee-Journal Sentinel, Northwoods League, Wisconsin
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Monday, July 16th, 2012
DULUTH, Minn. (July 10, 2012) — Tuesday, July 10 was a special day for a family in the Northwoods League. Duluth Huskies infielder Trey Vavra and brother Tanner, who is an infielder for the Alexandria Beetles, were able to play against each other. Another member of the family was in the stands to watch these two brothers compete; father Joe, who is the hitting coach for the Minnesota Twins.
WDIO’s Dan Williamson was able to catch up with the family to talk about the rare experience of the two brothers playing together and the whole family being in the same place at once. You can watch the video by clicking on the link below.
Vavra Family Reunion in the Twin Ports
Be sure to also check out the well-written blog by Brian Prudhomme of blackwoodssports.com.
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Saturday, July 14th, 2012
MADISON, Wis. (July 13, 2012) — The Madison Mallards have sold almost everything. Sellouts, interesting promotional ties with local companies, unique entertainment and more have become the expectation at the “Duck Pond” during the first 12 seasons of Mallards baseball. It has all been made possible due to the spectacular support of local companies. With this spirit in mind, the Mallards staff analyzed the entire “Duck Pond” and realized that naming rights have not yet been secured for the Mallards latest and definitely strangest addition; the 12 foot, golden, toothless gorilla above the center field wall lovingly named “King Quack” by Mallards fans. Well, that is about to change.
The 137th fan to walk through the gates tomorrow, July 14 will be the Mallards’ 2,000,000th fan! This fan will get the same royal treatment that only Official Sponsors of the Mallards have enjoyed. Here is the outline of the agreement that the 2,000,000th Fan will receive:
- Naming Rights to “King Quack” – The first name of the Lucky Fan will be attached to all references of King Quack for the duration of the agreement. There is no guarantee that “King Quack” will actually like this fan.
- Category Exclusivity – No one else with the same first name of the 2,000,000th Fan will be allowed to advertise at the “Duck Pond” in any way, shape, or form.
- The 2,000,000th Fan will get to dance on stage with the Flaming Lips at Pondamonium. There are no guarantees that lead singer Wayne Coyne will let you walk on the crowd with him in his bubble.
- The 2,000,000th Fan will get to have Mallards mascot Maynard G. Mallard appear at one special event annually for no additional fee. “King Quack” would have been available for an appearance, but he is not exactly a people gorilla. Birthday Parties, Bar Mitzvah’s, funerals, etc…
- The 2,000,000th Fan will also receive the same items typically offered with this kind of milestone, including:
- First Pitch on Saturday Night.
- 20 tickets good for any game each season for the duration of the agreement.
- “King Quack” T-Shirt
- The contract with this fan will only be valid until the Mallards 3,000,000th fan arrives. At this point all elements of this package will be revoked and the fan will have no special privileges at the “Duck Pond.”
“I just hope her name isn’t Ann,” said the soon to be re-named “King Quack.” “I’ve been trying to get over her ever since my move to Madison and I’m just not ready to deal with that.”
The Mallards play at the “Duck Pond” Saturday, July 14 at 6:35 pm to play the second of a three game series with the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. It will be Dr. Jay Hazen Dentistry for Madison Turn Back the Clock Night, with Mallards players in Muskie jerseys. Post-game fireworks will be presented by Ballweg Chevrolet Middleton/Sauk City and WISC TV.
The Madison Mallards are part of the 16-team Northwoods League. The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any other Summer Collegiate League in North America.
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Wednesday, July 11th, 2012
Former La Crosse Logger from 2009-10 and La Crosse, Wis. native Tony Mueller is beginning to find success in the minor league system for the Atlanta Braves. Mueller also attended school at Winona State University in Winona, Minn.
In his two seasons with the Loggers, he played in 99 games and had a career batting average of .298 with 19 Runs Batted In, 13 stolen bases and an on-base percentage of .358. He also pitched in 29 games for the Loggers in those two seasons. In those games pitched he recorded a career Earned Run Average of 4.40 and struck out 85 batters.
You can read more about his success in an article from David Griswold of the Winona Daily News. To read the article, you can click here.
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Monday, July 2nd, 2012
 ROCHESTER, Minn. (July 2, 2012) — Two Northwoods League players from 2011 and one from 2012 received a high honor last week when they were named to the USA Collegiate National Baseball Team. Rochester’s Bret Hambright (Oregon), La Crosse’s Dan Child (Oregon State) and Madison’s Jose Trevino (Oral Roberts) were named to the 2012 roster.
Hambright, who was a redshirt senior at Oregon in 2012, played in the first six games for the USA team. In eleven at bats, Hambright had three hits, three runs scored and an RBI.
The two-time MLB draft pick (34th round by Phillies in 2007 and 38th round by Rockies in 2009) played in 34 games with the Rochester Honkers in 2011. Hambright batted .248 with two home runs and 14 RBI. On July 12, 2011 against the St. Cloud River Bats, the Corona, CA native went 2 for 2 with a homerun, three runs scored, and four RBIs in a 10-9 Honkers victory.
Child played for the La Crosse Loggers of the Northwoods League in 2011. He pitched in 18 games, amassing 42.1 innings pitched. He finished with a record of 3-2 with a 1.06 ERA. He also had five saves with 34 strikeouts. Child was named to the 2011 postseason All-Star Team. In 106.2 innings pitched for the Beavers in 2012, Child went 6-4 with a 2.95 ERA and 79 strikeouts.
So far this season, Trevino is hitting .225 with three home runs and 10 RBI for the Mallards and is an alternate for Team USA who is playing an exhibition schedule currently against teams from the Summer Collegiate Coastal Plains League. In four games so far, he has gone 3-10 with five RBI.
Trevino was the leading hitter at Oral Roberts this season as he started all 63 games for the Golden Eagles while posting a .317 batting average with 13 home runs and 57 RBI. Following the season he was named a Louisville Slugger Second Team Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball.
The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any other Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America. The League has 16 teams in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, and Ontario. The is its 19th season.
Tags: La Crosse Loggers, Madison Mallards, Northwoods League, Rochester Honkers, USA National Baseball Team
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