Athletic Park (Wausau)
| Location | 324 E. Wausau Ave. Wausau, WI 54403[1] |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2500 (1946), 4400 (1951), 2500 (1987),[2] 7000 (2013)[3] |
| Field size | 316-360-316 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1936 |
| Tenants | |
|
Wisconsin Woodchucks (1994-Present) Wausau Timbers (1979-1990) Wausau Mets (1975-1978) Wausau Lumberjacks (1956-57; 1946-1949; 1936-1942) Wausau Timberjacks (1950-53) | |
Athletic Park is a baseball stadium located in Wausau, Wisconsin. It is the home field of the Wisconsin Woodchucks baseball team of the summer collegiate Northwoods League. It hosted numerous Wausau Minor League teams from 1936-1990.
History
Athletic Park was built in 1936. It sits in a residential area, just north of downtown Wausau. It has a stone wall around the perimeter. [4] The park was the home of the Wausau Timbers of the Class-A Midwest League until 1990. Additions during the era included a roof in 1950, concessions in 1977, and clubhouses in 1981. It held seating for 3,850 people.
Athletic Park was also the home of Wausau East, Wausau West, and Wausau Newman high school baseball teams in the 90's.
After the 1990 season, the Wausau Timbers moved to Geneva, Illinois and became the Kane County Cougars. The ballpark then hosted their current tenant Wisconsin Woodchucks of the summer collegiate Northwoods League beginning in 1994.[5]
Between the 2013 and 2014 seasons, the ballpark underwent major renovations led by team owner, Katie Peterson. Seating was expanded to hold 7,000. In August 2013, the old grandstand was torn down and replaced with a handicapped accessible one, including an elevator to the 3 levels. The new stadium opened May 30, 2014 for the Woodchucks home opener, which they lost, 6-4. The renovations were estimated at 2.7 Million Dollars.[6]
Professional Baseball at Athletic Park
Previously, the Professional baseball Wausau teams that played at Athletic Park were: Wausau Timbers (1979-1990),Wausau Mets (1975-1978), Wausau Lumberjacks (1956-57; 1946-1949; 1936-1942) and the Wausau Timberjacks (1950-53).[7] The teams affiliated with the following Major League Franchises: Baltimore Orioles (1990), Seattle Mariners (1981-1989), Seattle Mariners (1981-1989), Co-op (1979-1980), New York Mets (1975-1978), Cincinnati Reds (1956-57), Detroit Tigers (1951-53), St. Louis Browns (1947-49)Philadelphia Phillies (1940-41)Cleveland Indians (1936 1937, 1942).
The Wausau teams were members of the following professional Minor Leagues: Midwest League (1975-1990), Northern League (1956-57; 1936-1942), Wisconsin State League (1946-1953).
1981 Midwest League Championship
The 1981 Wausau Timbers finished 84-48 and defeated the Quad City Cubs for the Midwest League Championship at Athletic Park. The team was managed by Bill Plummer and had future MLB players Ivan Calderon, Darnell Coles, Edwin Nunez, Bill Plummer, Jim Presley, and Harold Reynolds on the roster. [8][9]
Notable Players
There are numerous players who played for Wausau teams at Athletic Park that had notable Major league careers, including AL Batting Champion Edgar Martinez and World Champion Manager Ned Yost.
- Daniel Descalso (2006)
- Ben Zobrist (2003) 2 x MLB AS
- Pat Neshek (2000) MLB AS
- Wes Obermueller (1996, 1998)
- Damon Buford (1990)
- Greg Zaun (1990) 16 MLB seasons
- Chuckie Carr (1988) 1993 NL Stolen Base Leader
- Omar Vizquel (1986) 10 x GG; 3 x MLB AS
- Edgar Martinez (1984) 7 x MLB AS; 2000 AL Runs Batted In Leader; 2 x AL Batting Title (1992, 1995)
- Ivan Calderon (1981-82) MLB AS
- Darnell Coles (1981)
- Edwin Nunez (1981)
- Bill Plummer (1981 MGR)
- Jim Presley (1981) MLB AS
- Harold Reynolds (1981)3 x GG; 2 x MLB AS; 1987 AL Stolen Base Leader
- Alex Trevino (1977)
- Mookie Wilson (1977)
- Neil Allen (1976)
- Bill Monbouquette (1976 MGR) 3 x MLB AS
- Juan Berenguer (1975)
- Ned Yost (1975) MGR: 2015 World Series Champion - Kansas City Royals
- Dave Bristol (1957) MLB MGR
- Cookie Rojas (1957) 5 x MLB AS
- Joe Gaines (1956)
- Jesse Gonder (1956)
- Vada Pinson (1956) GG; 2x MLB AS
- Bob Bruce (1953)
- Mike Tresh (1952) MLB AS
- Ryne Duren (1949) 3 x MLB AS; 1958 AL Saves Leader
- Ray Boone (1942) 2 x MLB AS; 1955 AL Runs Batted In Leader
- Wally Gilbert (1939-1942)
- Phil Masi (1937) 3 x MLB AS
References
- Athletic Park at ballparkreviews.com, Retrieved January 17 2007
External links
Coordinates: 44°58′28″N 89°37′36″W / 44.974475°N 89.626585°W
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- ↑ http://northwoodsleague.com/wisconsin-woodchucks/more/ballpark/
- ↑ http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/park.cgi?id=WI029
- ↑ http://northwoodsleague.com/wisconsin-woodchucks/more/stadium-renovation-development/
- ↑ http://www.mnartists.org/artwork/athletic-park-home-wisconsin-woodchucks-2
- ↑ http://northwoodsleague.com/wisconsin-woodchucks/
- ↑ http://wsau.com/news/articles/2013/apr/16/27m-athletic-park-renovation-plan-announced-tuesday/
- ↑ http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/park.cgi?id=WI029
- ↑ http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?id=91fc19c8
- ↑ http://www.thebaseballcube.com/teams/stats.asp?Y=1981%20&T=10429