New Northwoods League Team Unveils Name, Logo and Stadium
Kenosha, WI – November 23, 2013. Kenosha’s Northwoods League franchise will be known as the Kenosha Kingfish. A new era of baseball will begin at a renovated Simmons Field on May 31, 2013. The ownership of the franchise announced the name of the team, unveiled the logo and gave fans a first look at the new Simmons Field. A public-private partnership between the City of Kenosha and the Kingfish has resulted in more than $1 million in improvements to historic Simmons Field making it one of the premiere baseball facilities in the state of Wisconsin. Nearly 90 percent of the renovations are complete with the rest slated to be finished by opening day in May of 2014.
“We wanted an identity that would be unique to Kenosha,” General Manager Jake McGhee said. “This is Kenosha’s team and we are proud to present to the people of Kenosha, their team, the Kenosha Kingfish.”
“In our focus groups and in feedback from the community, the most commonly mentioned image of Kenosha was Lake Michigan,” McGhee said. “We wanted a name that would connect with the lake, but also give us a great deal of flexibility to have fun at Simmons Field. The Kingfish mark ties in with both royal and nautical themes and will allow for several fun elements at the ballpark.”
The Kingfish logo was unveiled with Elvis Presley’s “A Little Less Conversation” playing in the background tying the team with the Rock N’ Roll legend affectionately known as “The King.” The logo was designed by Shine United. The logo prominently features the team color scheme of Lake Michigan Blue, Vintage Cream, King’s Gold and Cardinals Red that is also prominently displayed throughout the stadium.
Following the logo unveil the Kingfish opened their indoor team store at Simmons Field featuring a full complement of apparel for the holiday season. The store is open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm at 7817 Sheridan Road in Kenosha.
Several hundred people came out to enjoy complementary ballpark food, chili and hot chocolate. The Kingfish also introduced Field Manager Duffy Dyer to the public. The Kenosha Baseball Launch Party also featured an appearance from the Human Cannonball, David “the Bullet” Smith. The Bullet launched himself out of his cannon approximately 160 feet in the air over the new Kingfish logo landing in a net suspended over home plate. Prior to the festivities, City of Kenosha Mayor Keith Bosman threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Simmons Field to Kingfish manager Duffy Dyer. McGee and the Fibbers, an Ed Doody Band, performed the National Anthem.
All-you-can-eat 7-game packs and season tickets are on sale now. For more information please log onto www.kingfishbaseball.com or call 262.653.0900.
The Kenosha Kingfish are members of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including MLB All-Stars Max Scherzer (DET), Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYY), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live and free of charge via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.KingfishBaseball.com.