Flashback Friday: Get Ready (1958)

The 1958 Fox Cities Foxes were starting from scratch. There hadn't been a professional baseball team at Goodland Field since the Papermakers closed shop after the 1953 season.

This week's Flashback Friday is a pair of articles from The Post-Crescent. The first - from March 13, 1958 - deals with travel, radio, and team personnel plans for the season. The second - from April 17, 1958 - announces a change in personnel, a few announcements, and some updates.

Keep in mind that the 1958 season started on May 1….And that the Foxes played in the Three-I League with trips to Davenport, Cedar Rapids, and Burlington in Iowa, and Rochester and Winona in Minnesota.

Foxes to Travel in Station Wagons
Team Physician and Scorer Picked

The Fox Cities Foxes have picked their team physician and official scorer and have decided to make all of their 1958 road trips in station wagons.

Dr. Fred Marshall will be the team physician. Bob Cole will serve as official scorer. The contract for three 1958 station wagons (two 9-passenger vehicles and one for six passengers) was awarded to the Midwest Auto corporation, Kaukauna.

These actions were taken Wednesday night by the Fox Cities club's board of directors.

The ball club also awarded WHBY a contract to air 59 Foxes' games this season. The station will air 19 home games and 39 "away" contests and will pay the club a flat fee per game.

The directors discussed the Appleton Recreation commission's proposal for a 1958 contract with the city. The directors drew up a counter proposal calling for the payment of 5 per cent of the first $25,000 of all home games, 6 per cent of the next $15,000 and 8 percent of everything over $40,000.

The Foxes' stock drive has gone a little over the $13,000 mark. Directors requested individuals who have made pledges but haven't made their payments to do so as soon as possible. They also again urged those who haven't subscribed to stock to contact board members or Business Manager Bob Willis. The goal is $15,000.

The ball club also decided officially to operate its own concessions this season.

Foxes to Get New Electric Scoreboard
Howard Bowers Is Named Club's Official Scorer

Goodland field will be graced by a new electric scoreboard for Fox Cities Foxes' games this year. Business manager Bob Willis announced this morning.

The Foxes have also named a new official scorer, Howard Bowers. Bob Cole, who had been appointed originally, was forced to resign because of the press of business.

The McClone Lumber company was low bidder ($1,754, including all hardware) on the contract for a new fence, according to Willis. Construction on the new wood fence has begun.

The ball club is seeking bids or services in these areas: furnishing of public address equipment for the season, sponsorship of public address announcements and foodstuffs for the concession stand. Interested individuals are being asked to contact Willis at Post Office Box 403, Appleton.

The club is also selling fence advertising, according to Willis. Further information can be secured from Willis or Club President Ray McClone.

The Foxes will operate a booth at this weekend's Appleton home show. Tickets of all descriptions, as well as opening-day booster buttons, will be on sale there. Tickets for the April 24 "Welcome Foxes" banquet are also being solde, Willis reminds area fans.

FLASHBACK ARCHIVE:
11/7/14: Begin at the Beginning