Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – Advanced Disposal and the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters have teamed up to hold a fun contest in conjunction with the first-ever Cranberry Appreciation Night at Witter Field this summer. For the past few weeks, the Rafters have encouraged Wisconsin Rapids public high school and middle school students to use their graphic design expertise to create and submit a jersey design incorporating the native fruit, which will be worn by the Rafters on Cranberry Appreciation Night this summer.  The Rafters received numerous submissions and have narrowed the choices to a final three.

Starting today, the Rafters will post the three entries in a photo album on the team’s official Facebook page.  Fans can ‘Like’ which design(s) they like the best.  The Rafters will also post the three designs on the team’s website, www.raftersbaseball.com, and fans can vote for their favorite by sending an e-mail with the design number (listed below) to Darren@raftersbaseball.com.  The contest will run until Sunday, March 9th at 5:00 pm.  The top entry in ‘Likes’ on Facebook and number of e-mail submissions at the end of the contest will be the winning jersey design. 

The winner will be announced on Thursday, March 13th and will be honored at the Advanced Disposal Cranberry Appreciation Night (date TBA) this summer by throwing out a first pitch prior to the game.  The winner will also receive one of the game-worn jerseys with their design on it and four free tickets to the Rafters game that evening.

“This contest allows the creativity of our community to shine through while highlighting the rich history of the cranberry industry in the Wisconsin Rapids area,” said general manager John Fanta.  “I want to thank Advanced Disposal for partnering with us on such a unique and fun initiative.”

All game worn jerseys from the Cranberry Appreciation Night this summer will be available for silent auction with proceeds benefitting the Witter Field Historical Committee.  The committee hopes to use the funds to produce a mural to permanently hang at Witter Field that highlights the rich baseball history in Wisconsin Rapids.

*The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters have the right to alter any part of the jersey design and exclude any jerseys that do not meet the original requirements.*

Design #1

Design #2

Design #3

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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 Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), 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.