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Green Bay Bullfrogs open new era at Joannes Stadium

Green Bay BullfrogsThe new owners of the Green Bay Bullfrogs (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) unveiled improvements to Joannes Stadium in last night’s season opener.

As you’ll recall, Big Top Baseball — the ownership group that also owns the Madison Mallards, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters and the Kenosha Kingfish — acquired the Bullfrogs in the offseason, with Liz Kern taking the reins as VP/GM and acquiring an ownership stake. Kern, who previously launched the Rafters, oversaw changes to the Bullfrogs and the ballpark, while veteran summer-collegiate manager Darrell Handelsman was brought in to coach.

And while previous owner Jeff Royle was angling for a new ballpark the past several years, it sounds like Kern and crew are committed to Joannes, the site of Minor League Baseball in the 1950s. (Frank Howard was the most notable name to pass through town.) The team has installed a new left-field entrance to the ballpark, located across from Green Bay East High School. The entrance, which will allow for easier access to the ballpark, is made of recycled material from the old chain-link fence located behind home plate. The chain-link fence behind home plate has been removed, and a new Major League-style net has replaced it, allowing for better sight lines for fans sitting behind or near home plate.

Along with the new entrance and net, the Bullfrogs have upgraded concessions, adding a new grill and other food offerings. The Festival Foods grill is a new open-air grill located along the third-base side of the ballpark. The new food offerings will be made available to fans, including chicken salad sandwiches, ice cream, and Philly cheese steak sandwiches.

Alas, the new regime was stifled on the field, Despite a comeback to tie the game at five in the fifth inning and a near comeback in the ninth inning, the Battle Creek Bombers went on to score five out of the game’s next nine runs and win the season opener by a score of 10-9.

RELATED STORIES: Joannes Stadium upgrades approved by Green Bay City Council; Bullfrogs pitch Joannes Stadium improvements, hire Darrell Handelsman as coach; Green Bay Bullfrogs bought by Mallards owners; Northwoods League buys back Green Bay Bullfrogs

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