Top Menu

Mallards pitch Kenosha on Simmons Field renovations

Madison MallardsKenosha’s Simmons Field could receive a facelift to the tune of a million dollars, as the owners of the Madison Mallards (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) cast about for more Wisconsin markets.

Simmons Field was formerly home to the Kenosha Twins (Low Class A; Midwest League), the Kenosha Kroakers (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) and the short-lived Kenosha Mammoths (independent; Frontier League). It’s not in the greatest shape, but not the worst ballpark in the world, either. 

Steve Schmitt, Vern Stenman and Conor Caloia met with Kenosha Park Commissioners and requested city assistance for a Simmons Field makeover to the tune of $750,000 in city money, with the team making up the rest. The Mallards braintrust have had a good track record in turning around former Midwest League ballparks — besides Madison’s Warner Park, the ownership group has also established the successful Wisconsin Rapids Rafters at Witter Field — and pitched that expertise to Kenosha officials. (Interesting trivia: the Kenosha Twins came into existence after the team moved from — surprise! Wisconsin Rapids.)

Apparently there’s money in city coffers to spend on the ballpark, which would add new concession stands, a party deck and a new scoreboard to the mix. If approved, work could begin on the ballpark renovations this year, in time for the 2013 season. We’re guessing there will be other efforts like this in Wisconsin for the 2013 season.

—-

Share your news with the baseball community. Send it to us at editors@augustpublications.com.

Are you a subscriber to the weekly Ballpark Digest newsletter? You can sign up for a free subscription at the Newsletter Signup Page.

Join Ballpark Digest on Facebook and on Twitter!

Follow Ballpark Digest on Google + and add us to your circles!

, , , , , , , , ,