Inside FanFast
Manager Jim Horner and pitching coach Lance Painter, meanwhile, feel as if they have an entire staff that's capable of producing a consistent string of solid outings and arms that can throw an array of quality pitches.
But for now, both said patience is needed as the majority of their hurlers ease into their first full season of professional baseball.
The Rattlers open the Midwest League campaign on Thursday against the Peoria Chiefs at 6:35 p.m. at Fox Cities Stadium.
"We've got a lot of live arms, but they're very young," Painter said, referring to a Rattlers staff that averages 22 years of age. "Some are rawer than others. It's going to be a building process. There's no one here where you can say they're polished and they'll be in the major leagues next month.
"As long as they realize they need to work and strive to get better, everything should go well."
Fun at the ballpark
Despite less than ideal weather conditions, FanFest saw a steady stream of fans walk through the gates.
Among those watching the scrimmage were Gary and Heidi McGeough of Appleton and their sons Tyler, 6, and Austin, 2.
For Tyler, it was his first live baseball game since attending an Albuquerque Isotopes contest as a baby.
"Baseball's good," Gary said. "We like baseball. Tyler's into sports, so we thought we'd give it a try."
The McGeoughs recently moved to Appleton from Virginia and were making their first visit to Fox Cities Stadium.
Based on what they saw and experienced on Tuesday, they plan on making a return trip or two.
"We're looking forward to doing some more games," Heidi said.
Rough travels
Rattlers players and coaches found getting from their spring training site in Arizona to the Appleton area a bit trickier than expected.
The team first endured a three-hour delay trying to fly out of Phoenix on Monday morning, causing it to miss its connecting flight in Minneapolis.
Once Wisconsin finally arrived in Minneapolis, it then had to sit through a four-hour layover before it could hop on a plane to finish off the trek.
Lawrence team helps Rattlers get used to Wisconsin spring
GRAND CHUTE — It seemed like the flight of the ball vanished every time it pressed against the foggy sky.
The temperature was chilly and the air was damp. It was just the kind of dreary weather Wisconsin Timber Rattlers manager Jim Horner had hoped for.
"I wanted them to know that it doesn't matter. We still play in that stuff here," Horner said on Tuesday after his club earned a 4-0 victory over the Lawrence University men's baseball team during a scrimmage at Fox Cities Stadium.
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