After watching games in 5 different Northwoods League stadiums, I was very interested to see what kind of operation an expansion team would run. I was very impressed by the Green Bay Bullfrogs.
Last night, Peter and I attended the 12th home game in Bullfrogs history. We arrived early because it was PBR retro night and we both wanted to be one of the first 100 fans 21 & over and get a free hat. We were about the 30th people to enter the park and got our hats. We also recieved a Verizon Wireless Bullfrogs backpack and a free program upon entering the stadium. We had ample time to roam the park and enjoy the fine cuisine. I had a delicious cheeseburger while Peter enjoyed a brat and we both had a $2.50 tallboy of PBR. We then took our General Admission seats about 30 feet behind home plate. We were there so early that the Bullfrogs staff asked us to participate in one of the between innings games. In the middle of the second inning I answered the Quiznos Question of the Day correctly and won a free small sandwich.
The game was very exciting. The Mallards sent Michael Hutts to the mound for the second consecutive night and he was staked to a 4 run lead in the second inning. The Bullfrogs then rallied and took the lead on a 3 run homer in the 4th inning. The Mallards made it interesting with one run in the sixth but the Bullfrogs put the game away, scoring two more in the eighth and working a 1-2-3 ninth for their 12th straight win.
The Bullfrogs drew 1,013 fans last night and a good time was had by all. They had many of the Northwoods League between innings standards such as the Dizzy Bat race and Kids Dress Like a Bullfrog Base Race. Joannes Stadium still needs a little work but is very nice park for a team that was born nine months ago. The Bullfrogs have already added a fan deck in right field with all-you-can-eat food and drink. There are also box seats down each of the baselines that looked very comfortable. The box seats in the grandstand do need to be replaced though. the backs are merely glued onto bleaches and you loose 3-4 inches of seating. Replace these and replace the chainlink fence with a net and the stadium will be beautiful. Overall, the future looks very bright for baseball in Green Bay and I look forward to returning next season.
After all, I've got a Quiznos coupon to redeam.
touch with baseball when his childhood heroes Robin Yount, Paul Molitor, and Jim Gantner retired but the Great Home Run Chase of 1998 reignited his passion. As a student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Erik became involved with the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity. With this group Erik traveled to Portland, OR and Baltimore, MD to work on construction projects and help the group raise $25,000 to partially sponsor a house in Milwaukee. Also at UWM, Erik met Peter Nagel. The two attended their first Brewers game together during Opening Weekend 2003. Despite their failure to ignite the coals at their first tailgate, the two had a blast and were soon making weekly trips to the ballpark. Erik has gone on to several colleges and changed careers several times, and has moved all the way out to New Hampshire, but has always stayed true to his baseball roots by holding part-time stadium usher jobs. To this day he looks back fondly on his incredible cross-country journey.
1 comment:
Believe it or not, I just came across your BLOG regarding your visit to Green Bay last summer. I enjoyed your post and appreciate your feedback. By all accounts it sounds like you had a great time and that means a lot. Let me know when your coming back in 2008..I'd love to meet you.
Jeff Royle
Owner/President Green Bay Bullfrogs
Post a Comment