Rafters match franchise record with five selections for the July 19 game
Rochester, Minn. — The Northwoods League has announced the rosters for the 2016 Northwoods League All-Star Game, which will be played on Tuesday, July 19 at 7:05 p.m. (CST) at Historic Simmons Field in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
In the South Division, the First-Half Champion Wisconsin Rapids Rafters have tied a franchise record with five players named to the roster. The Rafters are led by center fielder Logan Mattix (Georgia College), who paces the team with six home runs and 18 RBI. Mattix is one of only two Rafters to appear in every game this summer, proving to be invaluable at the plate and in the field. He is joined by infielder Jake Lumley (Canisius), who has batted at a .317 clip with a pair of home runs, 20 RBI, and is currently riding the longest active on-base streak in the league (22 games).
On the mound, Rafter starter Chris Cooper (Texas A&M Corpus Christi) will lead a trio of arms bound for Kenosha, as the right-hander owns an unblemished 4-0 record and a league-best 0.75 ERA. He is flanked by a pair of bullpen arms in the form of Garrett Schilling (Xavier) and Cameron Busby (Georgia College). Schilling currently leads the Northwoods League with 11 saves and adds an ERA of 0.57 and 25 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings. Busby, a versatile performer, has appeared in more games (14) and owns more wins (5) than any other member of the Rafter pitching staff, while posting a sharp ERA of 1.86.
Field Manager Craig Noto and his coaching staff including John Halama, Kirk Shrider, and Devin DeYoung will be in the dugout for the South. The Rafters, who won the first-half championship in the South Division, currently have a 26-12 record and are 2-0 in the second half.
In the North Division, the St. Cloud Rox lead the way with seven selections. Eau Claire Express Field Manager Dale Varsho and his staff will manage the North All-Stars. The first-half North Division Champion Express are currently 2-0 in the second half and 26-11 overall. The Rafters and Express split a day-night double header at Carson Park on June 29.
This year's All-Stars were chosen in a vote by the 18 member teams of the Northwoods League. Ballots were cast by each team's field staff and media contacts.
The 2016 Northwoods League All-Star Game festivities will be held July 18 and 19 in Kenosha, WI. On Monday, July 18 the Home Run Derby at the Harbor will be held at Kenosha Harbor with players hitting homeruns in to Lake Michigan off of the pier. The following day, Tuesday, July 19, the All-Star Banquet will begin at 11:00 am at Marina Shores, as the keynote speaker. The All Star game itself will begin at 7:05 pm that night at Historic Simmons Field.
All-Star Event Itinerary is as follows:
Monday, July 18 – Home Run Derby at the Harbor
5:30 pm – Gates open
6:30 pm – 7:50 pm – Home Run Derby in to the Harbor- Participants will be announced July 13
7:50 pm – Music with Bella Cain
Sunset – Post Event Fireworks
Tuesday, July 20 – All Star Banquet and Game
11:00 am – Banquet at Marina Shores
6:00 pm – Gates open at Historic Simmons Field
6:00 pm – 6:30 pm – Pre-game autograph session with the All-Stars
7:05 pm – Northwoods League All-Star Game
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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 23rd 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 150 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 (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store and set the Rafters as your favorite team.
