Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium is a baseball park in Grand Chute, Wisconsin (although it has an Appleton mailing address).[5] It is primarily used for baseball, and is the home field of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, the Midwest League Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The stadium also hosts a few music concerts each year. From 2000 until 2018, it hosted the NCAA Division III College World Series; the contract to host the event ran out in 2018 and the stadium chose to not renew the contract due to the expanded D-III playoffs schedule conflicting with the Timber Rattlers' schedule.[6] The stadium was built in 1995, and holds 5,900 people. It is also the site of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association High School Spring Baseball Championship.[7]
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 Neuroscience Group Field in 2014 | |
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| Full name | Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium |
|---|---|
| Former names | Fox Cities Stadium (1995–2007) Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium (2007–2013) |
| Location | 2400 North Casaloma Drive Grand Chute, Wisconsin United States |
| Coordinates | 44°17′01″N 88°28′07″W / 44.283524°N 88.468742°W |
| Owner | Third Base Ventures[2] |
| Operator | Third Base Ventures[2] |
| Capacity | 5,900 (2013–present) 5,500 (1995–2012) |
| Field size | Left field: 325 ft (99 m) Center field: 400 ft (122 m) Right field: 325 ft (99 m) |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | August 17, 1994 |
| Opened | April 6, 1995[1] |
| Construction cost | $5.5 million ($11 million in 2023 dollars[3]) |
| Architect | HNTB[4] |
| General contractor | Oscar J. Boldt Construction |
| Tenants | |
| Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (MWL/HAC) 1995–present | |
History
edit
On March 9, 2007, Time Warner Cable, the area's cable provider before its 2017 merger with Charter Communications (and then-broadcast partner of the team through its local cable sports channel), signed a 10-year naming rights deal.[8] In December 2013 Time Warner opted out of the final three years of the deal. In January 2014, Neuroscience Group, a local neurology practice, reached a 10-year deal for naming rights.[9]
Following the cancelled 2020 minor league season, Appleton Baseball Club, Inc, sold the Timber Rattlers to Third Base Ventures, LLC, a group consisting of principal owner Craig Dickman and minority owners team president Rob Zerjav and Brad Raaths.[2] The group also purchased the team's ballpark from the Fox Cities Amateur Sports Authority with plans to keep the team in Grand Chute.[10]
Renovations
editIn November 2012, the stadium began a major renovation that was completed in 2013. This allowed for functions such as weddings or large meetings on a year-round basis.[11] Further renovations were announced in September 2022 with completion projected before the 2023 season. The renovations will meet the new standards for minor league stadiums announced in 2021.[12][13]
References
edit- Specific
- ^ Carlson, Chuck (April 7, 1996). "Timber Rattlers Clean Up". The Post-Crescent. Appleton, Wisconsin. p. D-1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c Mehring, Chris (December 22, 2020). "Third Base Ventures Purchases Appleton Baseball Club, Inc". Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ Ostrowski, Jeff (July 26, 1999). "Major Firms Playing in the Minors Too". SportsBusiness Journal. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
- ^ "Grand Chute Map" (PDF). Town of Grand Chute, Wisconsin. Town of Grand Chute. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
- ^ "Cedar Rapids' Memorial Stadium to be the new home for the D-III World Series in 2019". D3baseball. PrestoSports. April 18, 2017. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
- ^ "Baseball Tournament". wiaawi.org. Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ Christopherson, Brett (March 9, 2007). "Rattlers Sell Field-Naming Rights". The Post-Crescent. Appleton, Wisconsin. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
- ^ Penzenstadler, Nick (January 15, 2014). "Timber Rattlers Name Neuroscience Group New Corporate Partner". The Post-Crescent. Appleton, Wisconsin. Archived from the original on May 25, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
- ^ Mehring, Chris (December 22, 2020). "Frequently Asked Questions for the Sale of the Timber Rattlers". Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- ^ "2013 Stadium Renovations". Minor League Baseball. October 3, 2012. Archived from the original on March 10, 2014. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
- ^ Sherry, Mike. "'The talk of the town': How a $10 million Fox Cities Stadium renovation will benefit fans, players". Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
- ^ "Wisconsin Timber Rattlers; stadium renovation project announced". WITI (TV). September 29, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
- General
- "Fox Cities Stadium". Minor League Baseball. February 1, 2006. Archived from the original on April 30, 2009. Retrieved September 18, 2008.