Midwest League Fines Benefit Caritas, Inc.

Beloit-SnappersThe Beloit Snappers have donated $420.00 to Caritas, Inc. as part of the Midwest League’s On-Field Behavior Policy.

Each season, the Midwest League asks its member teams to select a deserving group or organization in their respective community to receive a portion of the money collected from fines handed out as part of the league On-Field Behavior Policy. Past organizations selected have included Beloit Turner High School Baseball Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Beloit Memorial High School Baseball Program, Beloit Youth Hockey Association, Stateline Youth Sports Complex, Rock County Habitat for Humanity and the YMCA’s Partners of Youth Program.

Caritas-Beloit“We are very excited to help Caritas,” stated Snappers General Manager Matt Bosen. “Though no one wants to condone negative behavior on the playing field, to be able to take the fine money and donate it to a program that will put food on so many families’ tables this Thanksgiving, it is a very rewarding program. Through the program, our players learn how to take a negative experience and learn from it. The lessons they learn benefit their personal development and the greater good of the community.”

This annual donation is just one of the many ways the Snappers and Midwest League Teams make efforts to give back to their communities. The Snappers are very involved in the Stateline Community, donating to hundreds of different causes each and every year.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Beloit Snappers.  Click here to view the original story.

Fang’s Reading Program

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, in partnership with local schools, strive to emphasize the importance of reading by encouraging youth to read regularly. Offering an incentive- based rewards program in conjunction with great family entertainment can only enhance this education experience for students, teachers, and families alike!

This past season, over 160 schools/libraries and 38,000 students participated in Fang’s Reading Club. All students that complete the program by reaching their individual reading goals receive a free ticket to a Timber Rattlers game in April or May. Many schools choose to pick a “Family Night” where the entire school is invited out to the ballpark. In addition, students are encouraged to participate in the Goodwill Book Drive and bring any new or gently used books.

For the 2011 season, the Timber Rattlers collected 1400+ books through Fang’s Reading Club. All books donated are given to Goodwill Industries for distribution. In turn, the donations help support programs and services that enrich individual lives and our communities!

Timber Rattlers Visit Habitat for Humanity

Wisconsin-Timber-RattlersOn Tuesday, August 2nd, two Timber Rattlers pitchers and a few members of the team’s front office visited one of Fox Cities Habitat for Humanity’s work sites. Pitchers Stosh Wawrzasek and Matt Miller volunteered their time before taking on the Clinton LumberKings to thank the volunteers for their hard work and dedication to our community.

This marks the second year that the team provided lunch to one of Habitat for Humanity’s work sites. It’s a great opportunity to get the team more involved in the community. Likewise, the volunteers love being able to chat with the players about their minor league baseball experience…and even get a few autographs!

Greater-Fox-Cities-HFH-logoThe Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity has built over 130 houses and counting in the Fox Cities, providing a new home for nearly 500 people in the community. In partnership with hundreds of dedicated volunteers and supporters, Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity is building hope, one house at a time.

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers look forward to supporting Fox Cities Habitat for Humanity for many more seasons to come!

WTR Habitat Lunch 2011

Timber Rattlers Celebrate Christmas in July

On July 16th, 2011, Time Warner Cable Field was morphed into the North Pole! There was snow on the ground, elves singing Christmas songs, and a festive spirit all around – it was…Christmas in July!

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers went all out for this theme night; inviting fans and all employees to dress in Christmas attire. The team also invited the Salvation Army to bring their red kettles and ring their bells for donations from fans. In addition to that, we encouraged fans to bring in baked goods for our “Bake Sale” where all proceeds would go to the Salvation Army. All fans that donated an item received our Scooter Versus Snowman bobblehead; the team thought it was rather appropriate. The kettles combined with the bake sale raised an astounding $525 for the Salvation Army!

The team had an usher volunteer to dress up and act as Santa Claus while his daughter volunteered to be Mrs. Claus. A security guard was able to provide the team with a 13 foot Christmas tree to display by our front entrance. Our customer service manager brought in décor for the stadium, lights for the Christmas tree, and costumes for some of the staff to wear.

We also changed up some of our on-field promotions and geared them towards the Christmas theme – rather than Build-A-Burger we had Decorate-A-Tree. Instead of the Mohican North Star Shot we had the Mohican North Star Snowball Shot. And finally, throughout the game, children were allowed to write “letters to the North Pole.” Each child that wrote to Santa received a letter back as well as a ticket voucher for a future game

Mother’s Day: Brunch at the Ballpark

Wisconsin-Timber-RattlersPrior to the game on Sunday, May 8th the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers paid tribute to the mothers in attendance in various ways.

In the weeks leading up to the game the Rattlers offered fans the opportunity to purchase tickets to a pre-game brunch that included a very special offer for moms. Their brunch and game tickets were complimentary with a paid guest.  Nearly 300 fans took advantage of the Mother’s Day brunch offer.

Upon arrival to the ballpark mothers attending the brunch were escorted by players to the pavilion where brunch was being served. When guests checked in they were offered the opportunity to purchase tickets for a raffle, which was exclusive to those attending the brunch. Each mom received two complementary tickets for the brunch and had the option of purchasing additional tickets. Some of the items in the raffle were a team autographed pink bat, team autographed ‘pink’ jersey, Timber Rattlers merchandise, Brewers tickets and Seroogy’s Chocolates gift certificates.

The menu included mimosas, typical brunch items and sweet desserts. The tables were decorated with mini chocolate gift boxes and tribute cards written by players to their moms. Regina (Reggy the Purple Party Dude’s mom) was a special guest at the brunch and was on-hand throughout the game that day to help honor moms in attendance.

Susan-G.-KomenDuring the game Timber Rattlers players and coaches wore ‘pink’ jersey which fans could bid 0n via silent auction up until the 7th inning. After the game the players were available to autograph the jerseys for the winning bidder. At the end of the day $1,447 was raised and donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, dedicated to education and research about causes, treatment, and the search for a cure.

WTR Mothers Day 2011
Cameron Garfield, Carlos George, and Austin Ross wearing their 2011 Mother’s Day jerseys

 

Live Jersey Auction Raises Funds for Children’s Hospital

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers held a ‘Brewers Sunday’ promotion every Sunday home game as a tribute to their Major League affiliate Milwaukee Brewers. As part of the promotion, the players wore jerseys honoring the 1982 Brewers. Throughout the season, the Timber Rattlers promoted a live post-game jersey auction to be held on the last Sunday home game of the 2010 season.

Sunday, August 29th marked that last Sunday home game, and in spite of very warm temperatures and an extra-inning game, the live post-game auction resulted in proceeds well over $3000. A host of fans stuck around after the game to bid on their favorite players’ jersey for the good of charity while Representatives from the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin were on hand to present each jersey to its winning bidder while the players stayed around for photos and autographs. The auctioneer even donated his time for charity.

Timber Rattlers slugger Chris Dennis’ jersey went for the highest bid at $275. Four other jerseys also went for over $200 (Scooter Gennett: $250, Cutter Dykstra: $225, Kentrail Davis: $225, Andy Sauter: $225). The Timber Rattlers also placed a few of the jersey up for bid via Minor League Baseball’s online auction service.

The event marked the first time the Rattlers hosted a LIVE jersey auction, which resulted in a total donation of $3,377 to the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin…a definite success.

Timber Rattlers gather on-field next to the auctioneer who works to get top dollar for their jerseys.
Outfielder Kris Davis poses for a photo with the highest bidders for his jersey.

Timber Rattlers Garden for the Community

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers have taken on a community project this season that requires a green thumb. Rattlers Vice President of Marketing, Angie Ceranski witnessed a growing number of companies in the area planting vegetable gardens for a variety of reasons with the common initiative being the promotion of sustainability and locally grown food. She felt an undertaking like this would further demonstrate the Timber Rattlers’ support for the community while bringing food to the tables of families less fortunate.

In late May, the Timber Rattlers planted a vegetable garden just beyond the fence off the left field corner of Time Warner Cable Field. Led by Angie’s efforts, a handful of staff members and a couple generous contributors have helped make this project possible.

Lakeshore Cleaners, a local landscape company, prepared the garden plot and provided their special mix of compost. Shroeder’s Fox Valley Greenhouse, De Pere, provided the starter plants. And Home Depot (Appleton West) donated the garden fence.

Produce from the garden continues to be donated, throughout the growing season, to St. Joseph’s Food Program (‘Grow a Row’ program) and the Salvation Army. Both organizations provide food to area families need.

A photo journal to log the progress of the garden is available at: http://www.tratsgarden.blogspot.com/.

Signage at the garden site creates awareness of the garden’s purpose.
Work in progress just beyond the left field fence.

Timber Rattlers Golf Outing Benefits Miracle League

The Timber Rattlers completed their latest nine-game homestand on a walk-off victory, but it was their work off the field which reigned supreme during the week. Tuesday, July 13 was the solitary off day for the club during the home stretch, but members from the entire organization showed their support for the Miracle League of the Fox Valley at the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers charity golf outing.

Manager Jeff Isom, hitting coach Matt Erickson, and seven players put down their bats and picked up their clubs at Eagle Creek Golf Course last Tuesday. “I had a blast playing with some great people,” said All-Star second baseman Scooter Gennett. “This was an awesome way to spend a day off.” Even with the enthusiasm, Gennett’s team didn’t come out on top. It was relief pitcher Caleb Thielbar who helped propel his foursome to victory. Thielbar, paired with a foursome put together by Chadd Scott of the Settle Inn, took home the grand prize that featured four Brewers tickets and four autographed bats signed by the entire Timber Rattlers team.

Each of the 18 holes had a contest, such as longest drive, closest to the pin and even the use of an oversized putter. While competition was prominent throughout the day, the true focus of the outing centered on raising money to benefit the Miracle League of the Fox Valley. Organizations were able to sponsor a hole or tee box to help support the event, and donations were accepted at specified holes. Raffle tickets were also sold for selected prize giveaways, including autographed memorabilia from Ryan Braun and Donald Driver.

Thanks to the generosity of each participant and sponsor, the outing helped raise over $5,500 for the Miracle League of the Fox Valley. The charity organization is a baseball league for children aged 4-19 with physical and/or mental disabilities. Games are played at 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday during the summer at John Wollner Fox Cities Miracle Field in Memorial Park of Appleton.

The entire Timber Rattler organization would like to thank each sponsor for their help in raising money and for making the outing such a success. The Miracle League greatly appreciates each donation they receive. Please be sure to continue to show your support for these courageous young children!

Star Wars Night Benefits Make-A-Wish of Wisconsin

Saturday, June 12 was Star Wars Night at Time Warner Cable Field.

Several Star WarsTM characters were present from the 501’st Legion of Stormtroopers and their friends in the Rebel Legion, a group hailing from midwest states including Wisconsin and Illinois. The group is dedicated to raising money and awareness of children’s charities around the world, and does so with the blessings of LucasFilm.
The characters spent time in front of the main entrance before the game greeting fans with autographs and photos. They made a grand entrance on-field between the two games of the double-header and then wrapped up on the third base picnic deck, for additional fan interaction, the remainder of the evening.

For the second major element of the event, Timber Rattler players wore specially designed Stormtrooper jerseys for both games of the double-header. A select number of these game-worn jerseys were up for bid via silent auction through the 4th inning of the 2nd game. Proceeds from the auction, which totaled over $1,200, were donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin.

Manager Jeff Isom and Darth Vader pre-game, including a close up of the jersey logo.
Stormtroopers escort Darth Vader to the plate conference prior to the game.

RATTLERS AND SUPPAN COLLECT 480LBS FOR ST. JOSEPH’S FOOD PROGRAM

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, with the help of a rehab start by Milwaukee Brewers’ pitcher, Jeff Suppan, collected 480 pounds of non-perishable food items last Friday, the official start to the 2010 season.

The Timber Rattlers announced the “Bring Your Soup On in for Suppan” food drive to benefit St. Joseph’s Food Program shortly after they received official word that Jeff Suppan would be heading to Appleton to start the home opener on Friday, April 9.

The news quickly spread about the promotion in which fans who presented a non-perishable food item would receive a half price ticket to Opening Night. The canned goods piled up in the box office and added up to a total donation of 480 pounds from the 2,268 tickets sold. The food was delivered to the pantry Monday morning.

The Timber Rattlers and St. Joe’s thank all of the fans who donated to the food drive.