Link Report for Mon. 4/8 - Stars complete strong opening 4-1 road series

[Mass Haas]

Link includes Clint Coulter video interview and Orlando Arcia photo

 

Timber Rattlers lose home opener in renovated Fox Cities Stadium

Written by Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent Media

 

GRAND CHUTE — The ribbon came off the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers’ $6.2 million home improvement project Monday night.

 

As a venue, Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium has never looked sharper.

 

The on-field product, though, failed to match the slick new look of the renovated ballpark.

 

The defending Midwest League champions struggled through a dud of a home opener, dropping a 10-2 decision to the Cedar Rapids Kernels before a chilled crowd of 3,036 on a teeth-chattering 39-degree evening.

 

Home openers are always festive occasions and this one carried even more pageantry and energy since it was the first time that fans could check out the substantial upgrades made to the Grand Chute-based stadium during the offseason. But once the Midwest League championship rings were handed out to the team’s staff and the first pitch was delivered, things went quickly downhill for the Timber Rattlers.

 

Wisconsin (2-3) was outhit 11-4, committed two errors, had a pair of passed balls and its pitching staff combined for seven walks.

 

“They’re disappointed, but they’re young guys and they will bounce back and forget it, probably as soon as they finish their dinner,” said Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson. “In the last two games, our starting pitchers have struggled early and put us in a hole. We had way too many walks. It’s hard to limit big innings when you give away too many free bases.”

 

Catcher Clint Coulter, a 2012 first-round draft pick by the Brewers, provided the lone spark of excitement for the Timber Rattlers by walloping a two-run homer off the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth.

 

“I’m always looking for a fastball and I’m pretty sure that’s what it was,” said Coulter. “I saw the pitch well and put a pretty good swing on it.”

 

Coulter is off to a slow start at the plate and is hitting just .150.

 

“He’s been pressing a little bit,” said Erickson. “He had some big swings during our first series. That was a nice swing, very under control. It found the barrel of the bat and the ball jumped.”

 

Wisconsin starting pitcher Preston Gainey was rocked for six runs in three innings. Gainey struggled early with his control, walking four, and surrendered two doubles along with a three-run homer to leadoff hitter Byron Buxton.

 

Despite the cool temperatures and the lopsided defeat, it was still an exciting night for the Rattlers with the unveiling of the renovation. Team president Rob Zerjav was thrilled with the positive buzz he heard from fans regarding the improvements made at the stadium.

 

“This is probably the most relaxed I’ve felt in a quite awhile,” said Zerjav. “It’s been a lot of work getting to the point where we’re at. To hear the feedback we’re getting and to see a nice crowd come out on a cold, rainy, night, that’s great. One of the best comments I’m hearing is that people are amazed that we have something like this in Appleton. I’m glad people feel that way and I’m excited for a lot more people to see it.”

 

Highlighting the renovation is the addition of a third level for club seating and a year-round banquet hall. The concession and restroom areas, the team store and press boxes have also been expanded.

 

John Kirner of Appleton was one of the many fans impressed with the new look of the ballpark. Kirner shrugged off the cool temperatures and kicked back in the bleachers behind home plate with his wife, Heidi, and 2 1/2–year-old son Jackson.

 

“I think it’s really nice,” said Kirner. “It’s a lot more stadium-like now. It actually looks like a stadium for a professional team.”

 

Kirner was especially with the grand new entrance to the ballpark, where a large steel roof has been added and is decorated by a large Timber Rattlers logo with the name of the stadium spelled out. Once fans walk through the turnstiles, the first thing they see are new flags commemorating the franchise’s four Midwest League titles.

 

“I really like the entrance,” said Kirner. “In the past, it looked a little run down from the outside. Now, it looks like a pro team plays here. It just looks more formalized, more professional.”

 

Dick Stewart of Sherwood didn’t have to deal with Monday’s cold weather. Stewart and his wife, Judy, watched the game inside the new club level on the third floor. The club level is equipped with a bar, food service and 10 flat-screen televisions carrying the Timber Rattlers’ broadcast. Fans can watch the action inside the club level by purchasing a $15 ticket and it’s available to all fans at no charge after the seventh inning. The bar stays open for two hours after the Rattlers’ game. Companies can also rent out the club level.

 

“Great facility,” said Stewart. “I think they needed something upscale and this should be a money maker. They have a lot of money invested in this and now they’re going to have to make things happen, but being affiliated with the Brewers really helps. It’s just a neat thing we have here in the Valley.”