Mallards, Kingfish, Rafters, and Bullfrogs Draw A Combined 12,596 Fans On Saturday Night

Madison, Wis. – July 1, 2014. The Madison Mallards, Kenosha Kingfish, Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, and Green Bay Bullfrogs of the Northwoods League all hosted home games last Saturday night and drew 12,596 fans between the four teams.  The teams, owned and operated by Big Top Baseball each hosted a home game on the same night for the first time in 2014.

“Our goal is to provide unique and affordable family entertainment on a nightly basis in each of our stadiums,” the Big Top Baseball management team of Steve Schmitt, Vern Stenman and Conor Caloia said. “We are fortunate to have such great fans in all four markets. Nights like Saturday night are the reason we love summer collegiate baseball.”

The Mallards, the defending Summer Collegiate League World Series drew 6,731 fans and hosted former Major League Baseball All-Star and 1988 AL MVP Jose Canseco at the “Duck Pond.”  Canseco signed autographs and participated in a post-game home run derby against Mallards players.  Canseco blasted home runs well over 400 feet in front of a standing crowd.  The Mallards also hosted a pre-game 1985K as part of their 80’s Night promotion.  The 5K had over 100 participants, all dressed up in their best 80’s gear. 

The Kingfish drew 3,067 fans on Saturday night and had plenty of activity around the Kenosha community.  The expansion Kingfish held three events prior to their game Saturday night.  Mascot King Elvis the First, manager Duffy Dyer and several Kingfish players attended the grand opening of the new Aurora Health Care Cancer Center in Kenosha while over 500 people came to Lynch Chevrolet to watch the Human Cannonball, David “the Bullet” Smith launch himself over 20 parked Lynch Chevrolet Silverados.  If that wasn’t enough, the Kingfish also had legendary former Major League Baseball player and manager Ozzie Guillen at Simmons Field to host a youth baseball clinic and sign autographs pre-game.  On the field, the Kingfish turned back the clock and wore jerseys from the Kenosha Comets, the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League team who played at Simmons Field in the 1940s.

The Rafters drew a crowd of 1,541 and defeated the Wisconsin Woodchucks 3-2 on a spectacular night at Witter Field.  Fans entering the gates received First Aid Kits courtesy of Duncan Disability. It was also Boy Scout Night and over 120 boy scouts received Rafters patches for participating.

1,257 entered the gates at Joannes Stadium as the Bullfrogs hosted the Duluth Huskies.  Over 350 kids were able to run the bases after the game.  Fans were also entertained by an amazing Pepsi Post-Game Fireworks show.

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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 via the Northwoods League YouTube channel.  For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.