2014 Rafters Schedule Printable

Wisconsin Rapids, WI – Monday, November 25th.  The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters of the summer collegiate Northwoods League will open their fifth season in 2014 at home against the expansion Kenosha Kingfish on Tuesday, May 27th at 7:05 pm. The Northwoods League released its complete schedule today for the 2014 season, featuring 18 teams, division realignment, Inter-Division play, All-Star Game, a Big League Dreams Showcase doubleheader event and 72 regular season games.  

The Northwoods League is now the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams after the addition of Kenosha (WI) and Kalamazoo (MI) in the off-season. In addition to expanding from 70 to 72 games for 2014, the League re-aligned its divisions with Eau Claire (WI) going to the North, and the Kalamazoo Growlers and Kenosha Kingfish joining the South. 

The League, which plays two halves to determine playoff participants, similar to most professional minor leagues, will end the first half of play on June 30 with the second half beginning on July 2nd.  The first and second half division winners from both the North and South divisions will meet in a best-of-three Divisional Playoff Series from August 11-13. The North and South Division Champions will then meet in a best-of-three series for the Summer Collegiate World Series from August 14-16.

Highlights of the 2014 Rafters Northwoods League schedule include:

•    A wide assortment of dates to choose from: The Rafters will play six games on Mondays; six games on Tuesdays; six games on Wednesdays; six games on Thursdays; two games on Fridays; seven games on Saturdays; and three games on Sundays.
•    The Rafters season will conclude on Saturday, August 10th against the Green Bay Bullfrogs for the ever-popular “Fan Appreciation Night”.  First pitch is slated to be thrown at 6:05 pm for the final regular season game.
•    The schedule includes a pair of inter-divisional series’ against the Thunder Bay Border Cats and Eau Claire Express of the Northwoods League’s North Division.  The Border Cats will visit Witter Field on July 6th and 7th, marking their franchise’s first appearance at Witter Field.  Returning to Witter Field will be the Eau Claire Express, now members of the North Division.  The Rafters and Express will play four games against each other, as part of two day-night, split doubleheaders on June 30th and July 30th.  The Rafters will play the Express at Carson Park beginning at noon on the June 30th before returning home for the nightcap set to begin at 7:05 at Witter Field.  On Wednesday, July 30th the Express will travel to Wisconsin Rapids for a 12:05 game at Witter Field.  Following the conclusion of that game, the Rafters will travel to Eau Claire to play game two of the split doubleheader at 7:05.
•    The Northwoods League’s 20th All-Star Game will take place at Kapco Park on July 22, 2014 in Mequon, WI, where the Lakeshore Chinooks will host the event for the first time since their inauguration into the League in 2012.  The All-Star break is July 21st-23rd. 
•    The Big League Dreams Showcase event will take place at Warner Park on August 5, 2014 in Madison, WI again, for its second year. 
•    Game times will be 7:05 for all Monday thru Friday games in 2014, with the exception of a 3:05 pm afternoon start for the July 4th game versus Kenosha and a 12:05 pm start on July 30th against Eau Claire.  All Saturday start times will be 6:05 pm.  Sunday start times will be 5:05 pm, with the exception of a 3:05 pm afternoon start slated on Father’s Day, June 15th, against the Battle Creek Bombers.  

Solarus Founders Club Season Tickets, 9 Game Packages, and Group Tickets are on sale NOW!  Three 9 Game Packages will be offered in 2014 and the dates will be revealed in the coming weeks.  Call the Rafters office at 715-424-5400 for additional information.  

Single game ticket prices for the 2014 season will be $7 for a reserved bleacher seat and $6 for standing room only and will go on sale beginning Friday, April 25th next year. The full slate of promotions for the 2014 season will be released in the spring as well.  

If you’re still looking for a gift for the holidays, make sure to stop into the Rafters office at Witter Field.  Ticket packages, merchandise and gift cards are all available. 

The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters 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.raftersbaseball.com.
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