Frequently Asked Questions for the Sale of the Timber Rattlers
Third Base Ventures, LLC has purchased Appleton Baseball Club, Inc. We are sure that you have questions. Please go read this article first, as it covers a lot of ground. Then, come back and read this FAQ: Q: Have the Timber Rattlers have been sold? Yes. Appleton Baseball Club, Inc.,
Third Base Ventures, LLC has purchased Appleton Baseball Club, Inc. We are sure that you have questions. Please go read this article first, as it covers a lot of ground. Then, come back and read this FAQ:
Q: Have the Timber Rattlers have been sold?
Yes. Appleton Baseball Club, Inc., the parent company of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and Fond du Lac Dock Spiders, has been sold to Third Base Ventures. This action was not taken lightly. We realized that the circumstances of losing the entire 2020 season due to COVID-19, the uncertainty about the 2021 season, and the upcoming changes to the landscape of professional baseball required drastic action to ensure the survival of baseball in Northeastern Wisconsin.
Q: What is Third Base Ventures?
Third Base Ventures is the new company that will run the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders. Craig Dickman, a past chairman of the board of Appleton Baseball Club, will be the majority owner. Rob Zerjav, the current Timber Rattlers president and general manager, and Brad Raaths will be the minority owners.
Q: Is the team moving out of town?
No. As part of this new arrangement, Third Base Ventures will also be purchasing the stadium. All three owners in Third Base Ventures have local ties to the Green Bay/Fox Cities area and are excited to continue playing baseball at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.
Q: Did Third Base Ventures buy the stadium, too?
Yes, the new ownership group purchased Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium from the Fox Cities Amateur Sports Authority.
Q: Why was the purchase of the stadium necessary?
The purchase of the stadium will allow the new ownership group to make necessary upgrades to the stadium as quickly as possible and provide a much need resource moving forward.
Q: I thought the Brewers owned the Timber Rattlers. Was that ever the case?
No. The Brewers have never owned the baseball team in Appleton as it has always been community-owned. The Timber Rattlers and Brewers have had a Player Development Contract since the 2009 season which amounted to the Timber Rattlers providing a place for the team to play while the Brewers provided the players and coaches.
Q: I purchased and hold a membership certificate in the Timber Rattlers. What does this mean to me?
As we forge the next era of Timber Rattlers history together, we are pleased to welcome current members of the “Owners Club” to “T-Rats Ten”. As a member of T-Rats Ten, you will receive all the same perks and benefits you have been accustomed to including complimentary tickets to Opening Day, complimentary tickets to the Team Picnic, and a team store discount. As you paid for your membership for 2020, this membership will carry over to the 2021 season and there will be no renewal costs for this upcoming season. Additional information about T-Rats Ten will be announced in the next few weeks.
Q: I thought my membership with the team was stock and I was a shareholder?
Appleton Baseball Club operated as a Not for Profit, Non-Stock Corporation under the laws of the State of Wisconsin. The membership shares have nostalgic value but have no monetary value.
Q: What is happening to Appleton Baseball Club?
The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers will still be around, but Appleton Baseball Club, Inc. will dissolve as an entity as of December 31, 2020.
Q: What does all this mean to professional baseball in the area?
This means that professional baseball will stay in Northeastern Wisconsin for well into the future. The entire Timber Rattlers staff will remain with the club, so the fun experience fans have become accustomed to will continue.
Q: Are the Timber Rattlers still a Milwaukee Brewers affiliate?
The Timber Rattlers have been extended an invitation to be the Advanced-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. We will have more details on the affiliation, our coaching staff, the length of the affiliation, and more once we have reviewed the Professional Development License. We will not be able to comment on any of this until the Professional Development License is signed. See the full article here.
Q: What is the difference between the Advanced-A and Low-A classification?
The Advanced-A classification means that players on the Timber Rattlers will be one step closer to the Major Leagues. The Low-A classification has been the place where players typically get their first taste of full-season, professional baseball. Advanced-A players usually already have that first full season under their belts and have shown enough progress to make the move up the ladder of the parent club’s minor league system. This means that some of the players who were Timber Rattlers in 2019 could be back with the Timber Rattlers in 2021.
Q: Is Matt Erickson back as the manager of the Timber Rattlers?
To be determined. The coaching staff decisions are up to the parent club.
Q: When will the 2021 season start?
To be determined. We should know more when all teams sign their PL’s and a schedule is set.
Q: Will the Brewers still send MLB players here for rehabs?
We hope that the Brewers players remain healthy and do not have any injuries that require rehabilitation assignments. If the schedules are favorable and the Brewers decide it works for them, the Timber Rattlers are ready, willing, and able to welcome any players here on rehabilitation assignments.
Q: I saw that the Midwest League has lost teams. How does this affect the Timber Rattlers?
The most likely configuration of the league will be twelve teams instead of sixteen teams. We will know more once all the Professional Development Licenses have been signed.
Q: What about prices for tickets and concessions? Are those going up?
All ticket and concession prices will remain the same as they were scheduled to be for the 2020 season. Our mission statement remains the same – Our team will create the best entertainment experience in Wisconsin so that every guest walks away with a smile and the desire to return. Our goal is to continue to provide an affordable family fun atmosphere for all fans.
2025 I-41 Showdown: Green Bay Rockers vs. Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
**I-41 Showdown Presented by Holiday Automotive Returns for a Fourth Time $5 Tickets Highlight this Year’s Matchup as Fond du Lac Hosts Green Bay on June 12 GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders and the Green Bay Rockers will play the fourth annual I-41 Showdown at
Homestand Highlights: June 3-8
GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers remain at Neuroscience Group Field to play the Cedar Rapids Kernels from June 3 through June 8 with plenty of promotions to interest you. Celebrate Basketball Night, Batman Night, and Princess Night during this series.
T-Rat Talk: Eduardo Garcia
It's been nearly three years since then Timber Rattlers infielder, now Timber Rattlers infielder/outfielder Eduardo Garcia came to Appleton for the first time, and he's had plenty of time to build up a list of fond memories.
Frozen Pizza Throwdown Returns to Neuroscience Group Field
GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are already rebranding as an alternate identity as the Frozen Pizzas for a game on Saturday, July 12. To continue the celebration of the World Capital of Frozen Pizzas, the team will host a Frozen Pizza Throwdown at Neuroscience Group Field on
Bachman-Turner Overdrive and The Marshall Tucker Band in Concert
GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are proud to present Bachman-Turner Overdrive and The Marshall Tucker Band with Jefferson Starship in concert for the Roll On Down The Highway 2025 Tour at Neuroscience Group Field on Thursday, July 24. Tickets for the concert benefiting Heat and Housing For
Rattlers Rally Past Peoria for 8-6 Win
GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers saw an early lead evaporate against the Peoria Chiefs on Sunday afternoon. Then, the Rattlers rallied to score four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take the lead on the way to an eventual 8-6 victory in the series
Rattlers Score Two in Eleventh Inning for Walkoff Win
GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers scored twice in the bottom of the eleventh inning to defeat the Peoria Chiefs 4-3 on Saturday night at Neuroscience Group Field. Marco Dinges drove in the tying run with a single and Tayden Hall got the game-winner with a sacrifice fly
Rattlers Bounce Back to Beat Peoria
GRAND CHUTE, WI – One night after a 10-1 loss to the Peoria Chiefs at Neuroscience Group Field, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers rebounded to defeat the Chiefs 10-1 on Friday night at home. Blake Burke had the first four-hit game by a Timber Rattler this season and Eduardo Garcia added
Chiefs Put Out Wisconsin’s Fire with a 7-Run Surge
GRAND CHUTE, WI – Trey Paige hit a grand slam and drove in five runs for the Peoria Chiefs in a 10-1 victory over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Thursday night at Neuroscience Group Field. The Chiefs broke a 1-1 tie with seven runs in the top of the sixth
Woodruff Goes Seven in Wisconsin Win
GRAND CHUTE, WI – Brandon Woodruff allowed one unearned run over seven innings to pick up a complete-game victory for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in a rain-shortened 5-1 win over the Peoria Chiefs on Wednesday afternoon at Neuroscience Group Field. Woodruff needed just 74 pitches in his rehabilitation start for
Rattlers Grab Victory with Late Heroics
GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers didn’t lead Tuesday’s game against the Peoria Chiefs until Blake Burke’s ninth-inning single sent Daniel Guilarte across the plate for a 5-4 victory at Neuroscience Group Field. Burke had three hits for the Rattlers as the team rallied from 3-0 and 4-3
Homestand Highlights: May 27-June 1
GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers welcome the Peoria Chiefs to Neuroscience Group Field on Tuesday night for the start of a six-game homestand that features dinosaurs, Jedi, postgame fireworks, and a Jackson Chourio bobblehead.
Hedbert Pérez Named Midwest League Player of the Week
GRAND CHUTE, WI – Wisconsin Timber Rattlers outfielder Hedbert Pérez was rewarded after a terrific series in South Bend last week with the Midwest League Player of the Week award. Minor League Baseball recognized Pérez with the honor yesterday.
Wisconsin Drops Series Finale in South Bend
SOUTH BEND, IN – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers fell behind the South Bend Cubs early on Sunday night at Four Winds Field and could never climb back into the game as they missed a big opportunity and lost 8-3 in the final game of the six-game set. The Rattlers had
Late Rally Short-Circuits in Loss at South Bend
SOUTH BEND, IN – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers were set up for a late, big comeback on Saturday at Four Winds Field with the bases loaded, a run in, and no outs in the eighth inning as they tried to rally from a 5-1 deficit. However, misread on the bases
Rattlers Pitch Their Way Past South Bend
SOUTH BEND, IN – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers received stellar performances from all three of their pitchers and got a couple of clutch hits on Friday night in a 2-1 victory over the South Bend Cubs at Four Winds Field. Ryan Birchard, Yerlin Rodriguez, and Jesús Broca combined to allow
Hardin Shows His Quality…Again
SOUTH BEND, IN – Tyson Hardin keeps throwing strikes for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. The right-hander allowed one run, walked none, and struck out eight to earn his fourth win of the season as the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers beat the South Bend Cubs 5-2 at Four Winds Field on Thursday
Shamrock Heights Golf Course to Host Timber Rattlers Charity Golf Outing on September 24
GRAND CHUTE, WI – The annual Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Charity Golf Outing presented by Network Health is set to be held at Shamrock Heights Golf Course in New London on Wednesday, September 24. This fun event with some great contest raises money for Timber Rattlers Give Back, the team’s official
Dinges Goes Deep In Rattlers Win
SOUTH BEND, IN – Marco Dinges may be new to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, but he has made his presence known. In his first start at catcher for the Rattlers, Dinges, the fourth round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers from the 2024 draft, hit a two-run home run and showed
Rattlers Beat South Bend and the Weather
SOUTH BEND, IN – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers battled the South Bend Cubs, the weather, and themselves on Tuesday night at Four Winds Field. Wisconsin took a 6-0 lead after a 28-minute delay before the start of the game and watched it evaporate in one inning. Eduardo Garcia saved the
Tyson Hardin Named Midwest League Pitcher of the Week
GRAND CHUTE, WI – Tyson Hardin is the first Wisconsin Timber Rattler to win a weekly award from Minor League Baseball this season. Hardin was named the Midwest League Pitcher of the Week earlier today for his performance against the Beloit Sky Carp on May 16.
Rattlers Fall to Beloit in Eleven Innings
GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers built a 5-0 lead and were cruising with a 5-1 advantage through six innings against the Beloit Sky Carp on Sunday afternoon at Neuroscience Group Field. The visitors did not go quietly and rallied to an 8-6, eleven inning win over the
Sky Carp Strike Back to Beat Rattlers
GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Beloit Sky Carp broke a 2-2 tie with two runs in the top of the seventh inning and held on to beat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 4-3 on Saturday afternoon at Neuroscience Group Field. The teams combined to go 2-for-22 with runners in scoring position
Garcia’s Homer Wins Game for Wisconsin
GRAND CHUTE, WI – Eduardo Garcia hit a lead-off home run in the bottom of the seventh to give the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers a 1-0, walkoff victory over the Beloit Sky Carp in game two of Friday’s doubleheader at Neuroscience Group Field. The win was Wisconsin’s first walkoff win of
Hardin Deals a Shutout to Beloit
GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers needed a strong start from Tyson Hardin in game one of Friday’s doubleheader against the Beloit Sky Carp at Neuroscience Group Field. They got a near-perfect gem in a 1-0 victory as Hardin tossed a complete-game, two-hit shutout.