Are the Beloit Snappers Next?

The Beloit Snappers have been talking about a new stadium for a long time. There was more talk in the Janesville Gazette last week. The first story takes a look at why the Snappers need a new stadium. Fox Cities Stadium is used as a case-study. New baseball stadium would revive Snappers

BELOIT-They've fouled off more pitches than they can count, but powers-that-be behind the Beloit Snappers will continue swinging until they get the big hit. The Class A baseball franchise has operated at Pohlman Field since 1982. However, the organization has wanted a new home for several years and has concluded that that's the only way it can field a competitive team and keep professional baseball in Rock County, or packing its bags might be the only option down the road.

A great example is what happened in the Fox Valley.In 1994, the then-Appleton Foxes drew 76,000 to 55-year-old Goodland Field, located in a residential area. In 1995, the team built Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute, a much more visible spot just off Highway 41, and the newly named Timber Rattlers packed 209,000 into the 4,300-seat facility during its first season.

The other story is Pair go to bat for a new Snappers stadium-and more. Former Milwaukee Bucks owner Jim Fitzgerald has a great place for a stadium and is ready to roll up his sleeves. I wish that people would layoff the Field of Dreams reference when they are talking about new stadiums.

The "Field of Dreams" for two Rock County businessmen is 144 acres of corn south of Janesville where they'd like to see a new stadium for the Beloit Snappers, a new home for the Rock County 4-H Fair and a new racetrack for stockcar drivers."We have a dream," Janesville's Jim Fitzgerald said earlier this week. "If we build it, they will come."

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Fitzgerald, the former owner of the Milwaukee Bucks and then the Golden State Warriors, has become the point man on making a new stadium a reality."It's coming down the trail," the 80-year-old Fitzgerald said.

"Whether it happens or not depends on a lot of cooperation from a number of institutions and a lot of people-for example, the city of Beloit, the city of Janesville and, in particular, Rock County."

Fitzgerald envisions the Class A baseball franchise becoming more of a Rock County team. In that vein, he has been thinking of a new name for the team.

"The name I like is the Rock County Rockers," Fitzgerald said. "But I'm sure there will be other ideas."

If that happens, the Great. Lakes. Loons. will have been passed. When I think Rockers, I think Shawn Michaels and Marty Janetty.

The land involved in the proposed deal belongs to Brunland Farms, a corporation formed by the Elton and Marilyn Broege family. The property includes 144 acres at the southwest corner of the I-90 and Avalon Road.

Fitzgerald has made initial inquiries about the property. Elton Broege said his three sons milk 360 cows at the farm, which has been in the family since 1938. If the land is sold, the Broeges plan to relocate and continue farming."I realize it's an ideal location for them," Broege said. "It would make them happy, but they're going to have to make us happy, as well."

Read the whole thing for the roadblocks that may stand in the way and for another reference to Fox Cities Stadium.