"Our job is to do promotions."

Nice end of the home season story in the Post-Crescent on Saturday.

Rain and snow stifled what would have been a banner year for Wisconsin Timber Rattlers attendance at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

"If the weather and Mother Nature would've treated us a little nicer, I think we would've certainly beaten last year's (record) and been right up there in the 250s, 260 (thousand) maybe," Rattlers assistant general manager Aaron Hahn said.

Last year, Wisconsin set a club record with 253,240 fans despite 10 games being affected by poor weather. This year, 19 games were affected by poor weather, and the team still drew 244,331 fans.

That means this year's average of 3,759 fans per game is the highest in the history of the 15-year-old ballpark.

Click the link and read it all to find the quote and to whom it belongs.

And in case I haven't said it enough...Thank you.

Meeting the boss

Scott Venci of the Green Bay Press-Gazette caught up with Rob Zerjav, my boss.  Here is the story.

Ashwaubenon grad Zerjav worked his way up for 'dream job' with Timber Rattlers

The radar gun registered a 61, an embarrassing fastball for a minor league pitcher hoping to get called up to the majors.

It's a good thing the throw was coming from Wisconsin Timber Rattlers President and General Manager Rob Zerjav, who was busy repairing a broken radar gun in the kids' speed pitch booth at Fox Cities Stadium on Wednesday morning.

Zerjav, a 1993 graduate of Ashwaubenon High School and a De Pere resident, doesn't mind getting his hands dirty. He's never been an office guy, instead walking around the park during games to interact with fans. He will check on the grounds crew and even serve as a parking attendant if needed.

Just head over for the whole thing.

What it means to be a professional

I do see the humor in the fact that I am using that title for this post as I mention that I will be catching the bus to Burlington in a bit and don't have time to update everything as normal.

But, there you have it.

Brewers pitcher Doug Davis helps himself, Timber Rattlers with solid rehab outing in victory over Quad Cities

If the guys who want to take his job someday learned one thing from Doug Davis on Wednesday, it was what it means to be a professional.


"Results always mean something to me," said Davis, making his final rehab start for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium before rejoining the Milwaukee Brewers and an expected return to the starting rotation next week against San Francisco.

"Whether it's A ball, Rookie ball, Triple-A, it doesn't matter," said Davis, 35, who was making his third rehab start after two earlier ones in Triple-A Nashville. "The fact that you're going out there competing and giving your team a chance to win, that's what your job is. Whether it's in the big leagues or the minor leagues, it doesn't matter.

"These guys behind you are playing 100 percent. You don't want to go out there and say I don't care if I give up seven (runs); I just want to get my work in. These guys care. They want to be in the playoffs. They want to be a good team for I know how long the season is when you're on a losing team. It's terribly long. It's no fun that way."

Rattlers stuff from last night on the PC

The once and future beat writer has the game story and a blog post on last night's game

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers' hitting binge interrupted in defeat

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers' sizzling offense had just scratched out a meager three hits, yet the scene playing out in the team's indoor batting cage afterward didn't surprise manager Jeff Isom.

There was center fielder D'Vontrey Richardson cracking liners off the tee. And there was third baseman Pete Fatse going over pitches and plate approaches with hitting coach Matt Erickson before taking a few cuts.

The Rattlers' bats were finally cooled in a 7-2 Midwest League loss to Beloit on Friday at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. So it was time to get back at it and get things right again.

"This left a bad taste in their mouth today, with the way we got three hits tonight," Isom said. "The guys know they're better than that. … We weren't happy with the results, and this team is going to work, there's no question about that.

I was worried about using a word like 'stuff' in the title of this post. Then, I saw this and I didn't feel so bad.

Beloit 7, Wisconsin 2 -- and other stuff

Part of that stuff is, um, stuff on Eric Arnett.

Wisconsin plus Garfield

This is from the internet sensation 'Garfield minus Garfield'.


This is from the Post-Crescent article about Timber Rattlers catcher Cameron Garfield that could have been called "Wisconsin plus Garfield"...but wasn't.

Milwaukee might have journeyman Gregg Zaun and former San Diego Padres prospect George Kottaras as the catchers on their roster, but one could guess that they are just holding down the fort until the Brewers catching prospects arrive on the scene.

While Angel Salome and Jonathan Lucroy are fine-tuning their skills in Nashville and Huntsville, respectively, the Brewers have another prospect behind the plate for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

Cameron Garfield, who will turn 19 on May 23, is one whose name brings a smile to the face of Rattlers manager Jeff Isom.

"He handles the pitching staff very well," Isom said. "He is very mature back there. He does a great job blocking. Defensively, he's solid. Obviously, you see he's hitting in the four hole, so he's got some potential at the bat as well. He's an exciting young player for the Brewers organization."

An incomplete recap

I say incomplete because there is no way I can get to all of the writeups on last night. So, I'll just start with

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jeff Suppan rehabs as Wisconsin Timber Rattlers sweep doubleheader from Kane County Cougars

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers fans welcome new season

Suppan Impresses in Rehab Start for Timber Rattlers (Video link - including Scooter Gennett's game winner in game one - at the link).

Lots of stuff

The once and future beat writer has been busy.

There was this blog entry with some stuff that didn't make the paper from Fan Fest on Tuesday.

He spoke with GM Doug Melvin at the Leadoff Experience last night.

Prince Fielder was the big question. But, this Q & A covers many of the Q's to which you may want A's.

Beatles fans, forgive me

Picture yourself in a seat near the field here,
With potatoes as salad and burgers as pies.
The stadium calls you, you answer quite slowly,
A girl takes your order for fries.

This attempt at re-writing a classic song by The Beatles was inspired by this announcement over at the Timber Rattlers website.

All-You-Can-Eat Seats available for season ticket packages

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers have added a new seating option to their current season ticket packages. Fans may now purchase a spot in the new All-You-Can-Eat section on the first base side of Time Warner Cable Field. The seating area features a field level view, barstool seating, unique countertop space, and an all-you-can-eat buffet.

There is an artist's rendering of the new seating area over at the story. But, here at Rattler Radio, we wanted to give a little bit more.

So, here is the artist's rendering for the first and third base sides and the progress made by the construction crew on those areas as of noon today. Click for a larger image.







The re-write up top couldn't have been any worse than this? Could it?

Two notes from the main website

Timber Rattlers announce host family program for 2010

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are in need of caring families, couples, or individuals in the Fox Cities to join their Host Family Program for the upcoming 2010 season. The goal of the program is to provide players - who range in age from to 18- to 23-years old - with pleasant and affordable housing during their stay in Appleton .

Now Hiring Game Day Staff For 2010

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are now accepting applications for 2010 Game Day Staff. If interested, please fill out the 2010 Game Day Staff Application and submit along with a cover letter through email to Mary Robinson at mrobinson@timberrattlers.com

Click each link for details.

I hope this was worth the wait (BUMPED with addition)

I thought that this was important enough to bump to the top for the rest of the day.

Click for a larger view of the new Time Warner Cable Field seating chart below. Did I say new Time Warner Cable Field seating chart? Why, yes I did say new. Why would I need to say new seating chart? Because of this...

Time for renovations at Time Warner Cable Field

The Timber Rattlers are getting ready for their second season as an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers by making significant changes to the makeup of Time Warner Cable Field. The renovations include the addition of several new seating areas, moving the bullpens, and extending the current walkway beyond the outfield fence. Construction is already underway and should be completed by April 8, 2010, which is Opening Day for the Timber Rattlers.

Read the story or click the image below for the new seating sections.

There will be pictures of the progress made by the construction through the off-season.

ADDED: These renovations make this story from September over at BallparkDigest.com look a little foolish now, don't it? Initial reaction to that story...because that's what it was...a story...is here.

Season ender

Forget #6 on that last post

The Prodigal Beat Writer has a season ending story over at the PC website.

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers-Milwaukee Brewers combo hits home run at the box office

I'll pick up the quotes in the middle, so make sure to go over and read it all.

"It surpassed our expectations," said [Team President Rob] Zerjav, who noted dry and comfortable weather conditions helped in luring more folks to the ballpark, as well. "The reach of fans that we're now getting from Milwaukee and the Upper Peninsula and Sheboygan, they're just coming from all over to see this team.

"I think initially it was because they wanted to see the Brewers, but I think they're coming back because they see how much fun it is and everything that's going on out here. You give it up to the fans for coming out and supporting the team."

Zerjav said the increased attendance will mean an even more robust bottom line for the franchise, which in turn should also mean the opportunity to buck a sagging economy by pouring even more money back into the organization as officials continue to eye possible stadium upgrades.

"What's nice about it is, we're a community-owned team, so anything that goes into our coffers goes back into the ballpark and the experience fans have here," he said. "So it's great to be able to have a little bit more, hopefully, to play with and be able to do some really exciting and new things here at the ballpark in 2010."

I can't wait.

Didja notice?

If you were at the game yesterday, you may have...

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers break attendance record

Neenah's Judy Youngquist was honored Sunday for being the fan who broke the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers' single season attendance record.

Youngquist was one of 5,459 fans who attended the Timber Rattlers' game against Cedar Rapids. More importantly, she was the 405th person to enter the stadium, allowing the team to top its old record of 233,797 fans set in 1996, the team's second season at Fox Cities Stadium.

The team's 2009 attendance now is 238,852.

Youngquist, who said she gets to several Timber Rattlers games, "but not as many as my husband," received several gifts for being fan No. 233,798.

Her prize pack included a Wisconsin jersey, a bat signed by the Timber Rattlers, tickets to a Milwaukee Brewers game, a gift card and a VIP suite to a 2010 Rattlers game. She also threw out the first pitch on Sunday.

"When we were in line, I saw them getting the cameras ready (behind the gate)," said Youngquist.

"I thought it would be someone behind us, but when we came through the gate it was me. I am very surprised because we knew it was happening, but I didn't think it was going to be me."

There are three games remaining in the season -- September 2, 3, & 4.

Can you help the Rattlers get to 250,000 for the season?

Formula 405

Or, fan 405 tomorrow...

On Saturday night, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers attendance was 5,256 to give them a cumulative attendance of 233,393.

The current single season attendance record for the Appleton baseball franchise of 233,797 was set in 1996, the second year of Fox Cities Stadium. That record will be surpassed on Sunday.

The gates to Time Warner Cable Field will open at 11:30am for the 1:05pm game between the Timber Rattlers and the Cedar Rapids Kernels.

The Rattlers are 405 fans short of the new record heading into Sunday’s game. The record breaking fan will receive the following prizes from the Timber Rattlers:

• A Timber Rattlers Jersey
• A bat autographed by the Timber Rattlers
• Tickets to a 2009 Milwaukee Brewers game
• On-field recognition and a first pitch before Sunday’s game
• A $200 Timber Rattlers Gift Card
• A VIP Suite for a Timber Rattlers game in 2010 with a $200 credit for food

That's happening

Brick and Carl and Fairfax all wanted in this morning, but I'm going to hold off turning things over to them...for now.

Yes, the regular morning updates will be late for the third day in a row...or is it four? Not sure. Anyway, It's been a little busy around the ballpark for the last few days.

Here is the PC story on that whole deal.

The phone rang Thursday at the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers' ticket office and, according to team president Rob Zerjav, the voice on the other end had this to say:

"I don't know why I'm calling for tickets, but my boyfriend said I had to call because some guy is pitching on Friday and he said that we needed to come out and see him."

"Him" would be Dave Bush, a starting pitcher for Milwaukee who will become the first Brewers player to make a rehab assignment with the minor-league baseball club today in Grand Chute.

"I think this is something we've been waiting for and what the Timber Rattlers fans have been waiting for," Zerjav said.

See you tonight.

And that's a night

Suspended by rain. Picking it up again on August 25. Details on the sidebar for Last Rattlers Game.

Gotta run. Bus leaving now?!?!?!

Quick mid-day update

Cody Adams has been scratched from tonight's start in West Michigan. No injury. Repeat no injury. His turn is just being skipped in the rotation.

LHP Daniel Meadows will get the start for the Rattlers tonight in West Michigan.

That really happened?

Yep. The papers and blogs say so...

The Prodigal Beat Writer's Grand Return....

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers rally with two-run eighth to beat Quad Cities River Bandits in front of sell-out crowd

Key was the performance of a Rattlers pitching staff that tallied 14 strikeouts and limited the River Bandits to just three hits.

But Efrain Nieves — one of those charged with tossing strikes — felt compelled to salute the performance of the large crowd, which he said was the biggest he had ever played in front of and served as a catalyst in helping his club seize the victory.

"We talked, not only just to win, but to play hard and to give something back to the fans," said the 19-year-old left-hander, who struck out six and didn't yield a hit in three scoreless innings. "Because I know they're really, really excited that we're here, especially being in the Brewers minor league system.

Mike Woods column: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers draw fans to see Milwaukee Brewers players-to-be

They didn't come for the fireworks because, ah, there weren't any. They didn't come because the weather was perfect because it wasn't, and they didn't rush over because the golden goodness was featured on the dollar menu.

Oh, and they didn't show up because Brett Favre and his band of softball sluggers were on hand again for, although he has yet to file his papers, reports are he retired from that sport as well.

But come they did, 5,487 strong, filling every seat and every patch of grass that was available Thursday at Fox Cities Stadium. And they came for reasons that were heretofore foreign.

They came to see the Timber Rattlers, all of the Timber Rattlers and nothing but the Timber Rattlers.

That picture up top was taken by Kirk Wagner and is part of a Post-Crescent 40 picture Slideshow.

Brew Crew Ball poster Josh was at the game and has a look at the players. Just head over for the scouting...But, the most memorable thing for him?

The highlight of the game for me was watching a guy with four beers in a tray, walking back to his seat, dive for a foul ball in some seats and spill half of the beer on a kid who was also fighting for the ball. The kid got the ball, but also got drenched. Such is the price of glory.

Great start, people. Let's keep it going.

Thursday

If you are planning on coming out to Opening Night, expect a crowd.

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers sent out an e-mail newsletter to fans with details on the limited number of tickets remaining, and mentioned its policy to deal with a shortage of Fang-Bernie Brewer bobblehead dolls.

The newsletter said that there were less than 500 grass seats available. As for the shortage of bobbleheads, the team plans to distribute vouchers redeemable for the giveaway at a later date.

The statement says: "Due to the overwhelming response for Opening Day tickets, not all fans will receive the Fang/Bernie bobblehead the night of the game. Fans that do not receive the bobblehead that night will receive a rain check to pick up the bobblehead at Time Warner Cable Field at a later date. When our new shipment arrives, we will post when the bobbleheads can be picked up on our website...

So, please, remain calm if you do not get a bobblehead on Thursday.

We're going to Sheboygan

I should ask to go on this trip. I could go by where the radio station I used to work and Lotzo's, the bar to which our six person staff used to go.

But, it isn't a radio station and it's not Lotzo's anymore.

Anyway, this isn't about me.

Mead Public Library is offering children in kindergarten through fifth grade the opportunity to join a reading program sponsored by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers minor league baseball team based in Appleton.

"Fang," the team mascot, will appear at Mead at 4 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 4 in the Story Garden to meet fans.

Children who can read independently may sign up for the program at any time before the program ends March 21. Goals are set and children receive incentives from the Timber Rattlers. If a participant reaches all the bases and hits a "home run," he or she will receive a ticket to attend a Timber Rattlers game in April or May and a hot dog and soda voucher.

It's about the kids.

Back in business

The Timber Rattler on-line store has been down for a while. But, it is back and back STRONG!

Co-branded hat? Yep.

Co-branded hooded sweatshirt? Yep.

Bratzooka T-shirt? Oh, Yeah!

There is a lot more over there, so go to town, folks.