Outfielder, Caleb Ratzman, and infielder/pitcher, Ryan Koziol, to don Green Bay uniforms
Green Bay, Wis.- Caleb Ratzman, a junior outfielder from Winneconne, Wis. joins his college teammate, junior infielder/pitcher Ryan Koziol, from Orland Park, Ill., as the newest roster players for the Green Bay Bullfrogs. Both compete at the Division I level for Head Coach Bo Drukac at Illinois State University.
Caleb Ratzman began his playing career at Winneconne H.S. where he was an all-state selection his senior season. Ratzman then journeyed his way to Missouri Valley Conference competition having spent two seasons at Indian Hills CC-Centerville in Iowa. In 2012 and 2013 he was an all-conference pick. In his first campaign for the Redbirds, Ratzman has seen time in left and right field and has plated four runs on just 13 official at-bats. A speed player on the base paths and in the field, Ratzman has the potential to be a potent leadoff threat.
“I want to be able to be close to home this summer and still play baseball. And I get more experience, and see more competition,” said Ratzman. “I’ve heard [the Northwoods] is one of the top leagues in the nation and I’m just glad someone approached me and said I was able to play in it with my talent.”
Ryan Koziol, has shined as a middle of the order threat in his first season at Illinois State. A graduate of Providence Catholic HS, Koziol spent last season at Gulf Coast State College. At GCSC, Koziol hit for a .339 AVG and appeared in all 54 games. In his 2015 spring campaign, Koziol has started all but one of the squad’s contests batting for a .263 AVG with 1HR and 14RBI. He also comes out of the bullpen as a late innings reliever with seven appearances so far this season. Koziol, a veteran of the Bullfrogs, was a mainstay in the 2014 Green Bay lineup and was selected to the Big League Dreams Showcase.
“The Northwoods League was by far one of the most challenging leagues I’ve played in,” said Koziol. “Everyday you had to come ready to go and bring your best. And it was a great all around atmosphere from the fans, the team, and the players.”
The Bullfrogs will open up the 2015 season at home on May 26th against the La Crosse Loggers. Group tickets, season tickets and 7-game packages are on sale now. The Bullfrogs off-season hours are Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. For more information please visit www.greenbaybullfrogs.com.
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The Green Bay Bullfrogs are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd 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 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (BOS) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit GreenBayBullfrogs.com.
