High visibility home plate net, new concessions and front gate coming in 2014
Green Bay, WI – January 29th, 2014. At tonight’s meeting of the City of Green Bay Parks Committee, the Green Bay Bullfrogs proposed several improvements to Joannes Stadium that would be completed in time for the 2014 season. The proposed improvements were approved unanimously with a 3-0 vote and will now be considered at the February 4th City Council meeting. All projects would be funded entirely by the new ownership group of the Green Bay Bullfrogs and would not disrupt any games scheduled at the ballpark this spring. The Bullfrogs hosted two listening sessions in December to gather information from fans about improvements they would like to see to Joannes Stadium.
To improve the fan experience behind home plate the existing chain link fence will be removed and replaced with a Major League style high visibility net. This change will substantially improve sightlines and reduce visual obstructions for fans sitting behind home plate.
To improve both food quality and wait times the Bullfrogs proposed building a new 300 square foot concession building on the 3rd base side of the ballpark. The stand will allow the Bullfrogs to provide a higher level of service for groups and single game ticket buyers attending games. In addition to this, the existing stands will be refurbished to have a more consistent look throughout the ballpark. New menus for the entire ballpark are currently being developed by the organization’s new Executive Chef.
In an effort to simplify the entrance to the stadium the Bullfrogs proposed to rebuild the entrance in the left corner of the stadium closest to Green Bay East High School. This change will be accompanied by the Bullfrogs creating a fan friendly carnival style concourse area inside the left field gate. This area will feature kids games, displays from local businesses, concessions, beer sales and more. The Bullfrogs will also provide ushers and security staff in the parking areas surrounding the stadium during every home game in 2014.
Under new ownership since November, the Green Bay Bullfrogs open their eighth season at historic Joannes Stadium on May 27th against the Battle Creek Bombers. The game is slated to start at 7:05pm and gates will open at 6:05pm.
The Green Bay Bullfrogs are a member 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.greenbaybullfrogs.com.
