Latest News

Published On: July 10th, 2014

Kenosha, Wis. – The rich history of baseball in Kenosha cannot be overstated. The teams and players of the past have laid the groundwork for both the present and the future of America’s pastime in the city by the lake. Integral to that history is the franchise brought to Kenosha by Bob Lee, the Kenosha Twins.

The Kenosha Twins were born in 1984 after being purchased and moved from Wisconsin Rapids by Lee. Lee, a former minor league baseball player, wanted to bring the game to the city that he loved. He owned and operated the club for nine highly successful summers. The team competed at Simmons Field as members of the Midwest League, and were the single-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. The first Twins manager was none other than current Kingfish manager Duffy Dyer.

During the team’s stint in Kenosha, the Twins brought home two Midwest League Championships. The first of which was won under Dyer in 1985, with the second coming in 1987. The 1988 squad was managed by current Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire. Notable Kenosha Twins alumni include; Chuck Knoblauch, Brad Radke, Eddie Guardado, Paul Abbott, and Lenny Webster.

Friday, the Kingfish will honor this great franchise. The evening will be “Turn Back the Clock Night,” sponsored by Lee Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electric. The company is Bob Lee’s original plumbing business, now operated by his son Bob Jr. Their time-tested commitment to the Kenosha community makes the business a fitting supporter of the event. As part of the festivities Lee Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electric will  present a “Cancer Awareness Night.” The Kingfish will use pink bats, while donning pink Kenosha Twins jerseys with throwback Kenosha Twins hats. A pink base will also be signed by each member of the Kingfish. The bats, jerseys, and signed base will be auctioned off to fans, with all proceeds going to the “United for a Cure” foundation. In addition, all profits resulting from the sale of Kenosha Twins hats in the Kingfish Team Store will go to United for a Cure.

Start time for Friday's affair with Wisconsin Rapids is 7:05pm. Following the contest, fans are invited to stay for post-game fireworks presented by Miller Lite. The game is part of a four game weekend home stand for the Kingfish, featuring games Thursday-Sunday. Thursday is “Snap-on What If Night,” in which the club will wear Kenosha Sockets jerseys. Saturday will once again feature post-game fireworks courtesy of Miller Lite, while Sunday will see a petting zoo come to historic Simmons Field.

 

twinshat

 

twinsjersey

 

 

Tickets and merchandise for your Kenosha Kingfish are on sale now. For more information on 7-game packs, season or group tickets, please log on to kingfishbaseball.com or call 262.653.0900. The Kingfish office is open from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday at Simmons Field, 7817 Sheridan Road in Kenosha.

###

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.