Instruction

From the prodigal beat writer...

As Midwest League season wraps up, some Wisconsin Timber Rattlers will go straight to instructional league

"The 2009 season might be ending here in Wisconsin," Rattlers manager Jeff Isom said prior to Friday's 5-2 loss to Cedar Rapids at Fox Cities Stadium. "But 2010 starts."

Like soon.

Next on the docket for a select few wearing Rattlers duds is instructional league, which will send players, coaches and minor league coordinators within the Milwaukee Brewers' organization to their spring training complex in Phoenix for further, well, instruction.

"I love it," said Brewers roving infield instructor Garth Iorg, in town for Friday's game. "That's kind of the rovers' thing. And to get invited to go to instructional league for the players is a nice thing. (It means) we think highly of them because there are limited spaces. It helps them get prepared to perform at a higher level for the next season."

Isom said instructional league often involves an organization's upper-tier prospects and allows for more one-on-one tutelage than would be possible during a season.

For example, Rattlers shortstop Josh Prince, selected by the Crew in the third round of June's annual draft, will be on hand and asked to work on transferring the ball to a slightly higher position while also tweaking his overall fielding mechanics.

More at the link.

Prodigal Beat writer delivers

And eventually, I get around to linking to it. The Rattler Blog had this story from the Miller Park game that is interesting.

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers hitting coach Matt Erickson shared an interesting and little-known anecdote about his brief major league career Friday night.

"My first swing here (at Miller Park), my first at-bat here, I sprained my AC joint (in my right shoulder). Not many people even know that. I don't know if I've even shared that story with anyone other than my family. I pinch hit on a Friday night in the ninth off of (Cincinnati's) Aaron Harang. And he threw me a slider, and I took a pretty big swing -- my top hand slipped off the bat a little bit.

Read the rest over there.

You may have wondered...

First, here is the P-C photo gallery from yesterday's game.

The Prodigal beat writer has this in his blog post.

Get the message?: Wisconsin second baseman Brett Lawrie was pulled from the game after grounding out to the pitcher in the third and finished up as the team's first base coach. Rattlers manager Jeff Isom's reason for making the move didn't need any further explanation. "I was just concerned," Isom said. "He ran a 5.6 down to first base, 5.6 seconds. I was worried about his legs being hurt or something. So we made a change."

Another Interview

Not with me.

Justin Hull of AM 1570 The Score had Timber Rattler team president Rob Zerjav on the air yesterday.

I think this link will let you download the podcast of the interview.

35 dies insquequo Oris Dies!

About 25 minutes away

I have an internet connection at the currently undisclosed location...But, check back around 1:00pm.

I'm going to try something.....

Who wants pizza?!

If you are at a Timber Rattler game this season and want a pizza, you'll be getting the best.

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are excited to announce a new partnership that makes Palermo's Pizza the official pizza of Time Warner Cable Field.

Palermo's is also the presenting sponsor of Fan Fest on April 7. Details on that will follow.

If you have a chance...

Stop by the Festival Foods on Northland Avenue in Appleton today.

Members of the Timber Rattler front office will be manning the booth and ringing the bells at the Salvation Army Kettle at that location all day today.

Timber Rattler deals

Hop on the Bus to Beloit!

The Timber Rattlers have put together a bus trip to Beloit on Sunday, July 20th, giving you a chance to see your Timber Rattlers take on the Beloit Snappers at Pohlman Field.

The price will be $45 per person and includes a spot on the bus, game ticket, and all-you-can-eat and drink for the entire game! The bus will depart from Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium at 11am.

Let the Timber Rattlers do the Cooking 4th of July Weekend

This offer is good for July 4-6:

For just $15 (in advance, $20 day of game) you can get porch seats and feast out on a game time all-you-can-eat Lead Off Hitter buffet. This includes grilled hamburgers, grilled brats, hot dogs, fresh baked buns, baked beans, potato chips, potato salad, and two beverages per person (beer, soda, or water).

Contact the Timber Rattler ticket office at (920) 733-4152.