Wisconsin Woodchucks
Encyclopedia
The Wisconsin Woodchucks are an American
baseball
team that plays in the Northwoods League
, a collegiate summer baseball league. They play their home games at Athletic Park
in Wausau, Wisconsin
. The team was known as the Wausau Woodchucks 1994
-98
.
The team fills the void left by the Wausau Timbers
of the Class A Midwest League
, who relocated after the 1990
season to Geneva, Illinois
, to become the Kane County Cougars
.
The 'Chucks gained some star power for the 2007
season, as former Milwaukee Brewer
and University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh product Jim Gantner
manages the team. Gantner has been involved with the Brewers in various capacities since his retirement in 1992
, including some coaching, but the Woodchucks job is his first managerial experience.
Gantner, a native Wisconsinite who owns a second home in Boulder Junction
, is familiar with the Wausau area and had expressed interest in coaching college-age players.
A number of major leaguers and other notables have worn a Woodchucks uniform:
Ben Zobrist is the only all-star making it in 2009
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
team that plays in the Northwoods League
Northwoods League
The Northwoods League is a collegiate summer baseball league comprising teams of the top college players from North America and beyond. All players in the league must have NCAA eligibility remaining in order to participate...
, a collegiate summer baseball league. They play their home games at Athletic Park
Athletic Park (Wausau)
Athletic Park is a baseball stadium in Wausau, Wisconsin. It was the home of the Wausau Timbers of the Midwest League until 1990. It is the home field of the Wisconsin Woodchucks baseball team of the Northwoods League. It was built in 1936. Additions include a roof in 1950, concessions in 1977, and...
in Wausau, Wisconsin
Wausau, Wisconsin
Wausau is a city in and the county seat of Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. The Wisconsin River divides the city. The city is adjacent to the town of Wausau.According to the 2000 census, Wausau had a population of 38,426 people...
. The team was known as the Wausau Woodchucks 1994
1994 in sports
1994 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* January 29 – death of Ulrike Maier , Austrian skier, who broke her neck when she crashed during a World Cup downhill race at Garmisch-Partenkirchen...
-98
1998 in sports
1998 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Hermann Maier, Austria** Women's overall season champion: Katja Seizinger, Germany-American football:...
.
The team fills the void left by the Wausau Timbers
Wausau Timbers
The Wausau Timbers were a minor league baseball team.The team began as the Wausau Mets in 1978, but left the affiliation with the New York Mets and went co-op...
of the Class A Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
, who relocated after the 1990
1990 in sports
1990 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Pirmin Zurbriggen, Switzerland-American football:...
season to Geneva, Illinois
Geneva, Illinois
Geneva is the county seat of Kane County, Illinois. It is located on the western fringe of the Chicago suburbs. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 26,652. Geneva is part of a tri-city area, along with St. Charles and Batavia...
, to become the Kane County Cougars
Kane County Cougars
The Kane County Cougars are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Kansas City Royals, that plays in the Midwest League. Their home games are played in Geneva, Illinois, about 35 miles west of Chicago....
.
The 'Chucks gained some star power for the 2007
2007 in sports
2007 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-American football:* February 4 – Indianapolis Colts beat the Chicago Bears 29-17 to win Super Bowl XLI at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The win was the Colts' first Super Bowl Championship since their 1970-71 team, when...
season, as former Milwaukee Brewer
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
and University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh product Jim Gantner
Jim Gantner
James Elmer Gantner was a Major League Baseball player who spent his entire career with the Milwaukee Brewers .-Background:...
manages the team. Gantner has been involved with the Brewers in various capacities since his retirement in 1992
1992 in sports
1992 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup* Men's overall season champion: Paul Accola, Switzerland* Women's overall season champion: Petra Kronberger, Austria-American football:...
, including some coaching, but the Woodchucks job is his first managerial experience.
Gantner, a native Wisconsinite who owns a second home in Boulder Junction
Boulder Junction, Wisconsin
Boulder Junction is a town in Vilas County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 958 at the 2000 census.-Economy:The town's economy depends heavily on tourism, as do many towns in the surrounding lakeland area...
, is familiar with the Wausau area and had expressed interest in coaching college-age players.
A number of major leaguers and other notables have worn a Woodchucks uniform:
- Dave GassnerDave GassnerDavid K. Gassner was a professional baseball pitcher who is unofficially retired. Gassner is a 1997 graduate of Hortonville High School in Hortonville, Wisconsin and 2002 graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Education.-Career:Gassner was selected by Toronto Blue Jays in the 2001 amateur...
, 19981998 in sports1998 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Hermann Maier, Austria** Women's overall season champion: Katja Seizinger, Germany-American football:...
(Hortonville, WisconsinHortonville, WisconsinHortonville is a village in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,711 at the 2010 census.-History:The village was founded in 1848 by landowner Alonzo Horton. One of Father Horton's first priorities was to dam Black Otter Creek, creating the Black Otter Lake...
, native, LHPPitcherIn baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
with Minnesota TwinsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
) - Casey JanssenCasey JanssenRobert Casey Janssen is a right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Toronto Blue Jays.He was selected by the Blue Jays out of UCLA in the fourth round of the draft. When an injury to A.J...
, 20012001 in sports2001 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Hermann Maier, Austria** Women's overall season champion: Janica Kostelić, Croatia-American football:...
(RHPPitcherIn baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
, Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
) - Mark LoweMark LoweMark Christopher Lowe is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers. He made his Major League debut for the Seattle Mariners on July 7, in relief against the Detroit Tigers, loading the bases before striking out the side. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed. His fastball...
, 20022002 in sports2002 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Stephan Eberharter, Austria** Women's overall season champion: Michaela Dorfmeister, Austria-American football:...
-032003 in sports2003 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season championship: Stephan Eberharter, Austria** Women's overall season championship: Janica Kostelić, Croatia-American football:...
(RHP, Seattle MarinersSeattle MarinersThe Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
) - Pat NeshekPat NeshekPatrick J. Neshek is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. Neshek is a graduate of Park Center Senior High School in Minnesota and of Butler University.-Early career:...
, 20002000 in sports2000 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Hermann Maier, Austria** Women's overall season champion: Renate Götschl, Austria-American football:...
(Madison, WisconsinMadison, WisconsinMadison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
, native, relief pitcher with Twins) - Wes ObermuellerWes ObermuellerWesley Mitchell Obermueller is a free agent Major League Baseball pitcher with a career ERA of 5.82. He began his career in the Kansas City Royals organization when he was selected in the 2nd round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft...
, 19951995 in sports1995 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Alberto Tomba, Italy** Women's overall season champion: Vreni Schneider, Switzerland-American football:...
(relief pitcher with Florida MarlinsFlorida MarlinsThe Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
) - Ned Yost Jr., 20032003 in sports2003 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season championship: Stephan Eberharter, Austria** Women's overall season championship: Janica Kostelić, Croatia-American football:...
(son of former Brewers player/manager Ned YostNed YostEdgar Frederick "Ned" Yost III is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager of the Kansas City Royals. He is the former manager of the Milwaukee Brewers.-Playing career:...
) - Steve Foster (baseball)Steve Foster (baseball)Steven Eugene "Steve" Foster, Jr. is an American former professional baseball player and current coach. A former relief pitcher, Foster played all or part of three seasons in Major League Baseball for the Cincinnati Reds from 1991 to 1993...
, 20032003 in sports2003 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season championship: Stephan Eberharter, Austria** Women's overall season championship: Janica Kostelić, Croatia-American football:...
(Bullpen Coach, with Florida MarlinsFlorida MarlinsThe Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
) - Ben ZobristBen ZobristBenjamin Thomas "Ben" Zobrist is an American baseball player currently with Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays. A switch-hitter who throws right-handed, he has exhibited a versatility to play most positions with the exception of pitcher and catcher. He has been the Rays' starting second...
, 20032003 in sports2003 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season championship: Stephan Eberharter, Austria** Women's overall season championship: Janica Kostelić, Croatia-American football:...
-042004 in sports2004 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-American football:* College football Bowl Championship Series :**January 1 – Rose Bowl – USC 28, Michigan 14...
(Outfielder, Tampa Bay RaysTampa Bay RaysThe Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
)
Ben Zobrist is the only all-star making it in 2009
External links
- Wisconsin Woodchucks - official site
- Northwoods League - official site