Take On Woodchucks In Sixth Season Opener

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters will open the 2015 season at Witter Field with renewed vitality when they take on the Wisconsin Woodchucks Tuesday evening, looking to win their first season opener in the brief history of the team.

The Rafters have brought in a new coaching staff, led by field manager Craig Noto, who has 23 years of youth, high school and collegiate coaching experience. Noto is joined by fellow Brooklyn, N.Y., native and former MLB pitcher John Halama on the coaching staff. Jesse Marsh, who previously coached with Noto at LIU Brooklyn, and former Rafter Brandon Hohl round out the revamped coaching staff.

Noto will hand the ball to John Jaeger to open the season for the Rafters. Jaeger, a sophomore from the University of the Pacific, is making his Northwoods League debut. The right hander saw action in 20 games, earning a 1-1 record with a 4.99 ERA across 30.2 innings.

The Rafters have the honor of hosting the Marshfield Clinic 2015 Northwoods League All-Star festivities, including the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game on July 21. Many changes have been made to Witter Field in anticipation of the event, including the Point Craft River, which is an all-inclusive, 80 foot-long seating area under the Ho-Chunk Gaming Rat Trap on the third base side of the stadium.

The Rafters coaching staff has a goal to play well and win the South Division in the first half, giving them a chance to coach the South in the All-Star Game at home.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 CT at Witter Field and will feature a 2015 Rafters Schedule Magnet Giveaway courtesy of Nieman’s Service.

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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 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, 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), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website.  For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.