Renovations for Time Warner Cable Field

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers have announced that they are going to renovate their stadium through the offseason, adding in some new seating areas and moving the bullpens from their current location.

The link above has the full story and a new seating diagram for what it will look like. To be honest, as the broadcaster, I don't care about the new seating areas. What I'm fascinated by is the fact that the bullpens are going to be moved to the outfield.

Remember, the Timber Rattlers had arguably the most unique bullpens in the league. Below are the pictures I took of the bullpens when we were there in July.



As you can see, the bullpens were sort of "carved" into the seating area, making for a unique experience for the fans, but also giving players more room to catch foul balls (or more room for wild throws to get caught up in).

Now, the bullpens are going to be beyond the outfield wall, which might make announcing who is warming up somewhat difficult. However, there's something to be said about watching a door in the wall open up, and having a flame-throwing reliever come running in while his music plays to excite the fans and intimidate the opponents.

Need an example? Watch below....and yes, I know it's in Spanish. I couldn't find it in English anywhere, but somehow, I think it's better in a different language.



Then again, the Silver Hawks don't go to Wisconsin this year, so I guess it doesn't matter.

Photos from Appleton - Part Five

My mom would not be a fan of the Timber Rattlers (she hates snakes). Quite honestly, I don't really like them either (snakes, that is. I don't have a big problem with Wisconsin).


Here's Wisconsin broadcaster Chris Mehring hard at work. He has no idea I took this picture. As you can see, I can look from my booth and into his. Or at least, I could...


...until Chris decided he was tired of looking at my ugly mug, and blocked my view with rosters, stats, and any other pieces of paper he could find.

Photos from Appleton - Part Four

A view from behind the plate in the bullpen. Notice how the bullpens are carved into the seating area and recessed from the playing field. A very unique feature to this stadium.


Another look at the bullpen and how it's carved into the seating area.


The view from the Silver Hawks dugout to the field. Notice that there is no rail and that it's also very close to home plate. Gotta be alert at all times.


The Silver Hawks dugout from the outside. This was before all the players emerged from the locker room with all their equipment.


The outfield wall and scorebaord in left center.

Photos from Appleton - Part Three

A table area on the first base side. Unlike most of these areas around the league, this one is actually about even with the first base bag. Most of the time, areas like this are a lot farther down the lines, closer to the outfield wall.


The lawn area is steep!


There's a lion out by the kids area deep in right field. I have no idea why.


The press box.


The field from the right field picnic area.

Photos from Appleton - Part Two

A picnic area beyond the right field fence.


This is a gigantic chair that sits above the lawn section down the right field line. And when I say giant, if I were to sit in it and stretch out my legs, they wouldn't extend past the end of the seat.


Kids bugging you? Send them here. This small playground is located about as deep into the right field corner as you can get and still be in the stadium.


I thought we were at a baseball stadium? If you come to a baseball game and elect to shoot hoops instead, you should be banned from all future baseball related events.


A covered picnic/group outing area down the right field line. Ideal for birthday parties.

Photos from Appleton - Part One

Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Long name, nice park though.


A bar located down the first base concourse. If I've learned anything in my five days in Wisconsin, it's that the people here really like their beer.


Nice wide concourses at the stadium -- always a nice feature. I also thought the roof design was unique.


This wall of fame honors the big donors in the middle, and the former players and coaches on the outsides of it. I took a photo of one of the players, but it won't upload for some reason.


My view from the press box. Once again, the stadium doesn't slant to the right, I was probably just holding the camera crooked.