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New for 2010: Wisconsin Rapids Rafters

The newest team in the summer-collegiate Northwoods League: The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters.

The newest team in the summer-collegiate Northwoods League is the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, as chosen by fans in online polling. Rafters (29 percent) narrowly edged out River Rats (23 percent) and Boggers (22 percent).

You can view a logo sheet by clicking on the Download Attachment link at the bottom of this page.

The identity of the team incorporates all three of the top vote getters. Rafting was a prominent activity on the Wisconsin River, primarily as part of the logging industry in the delivery of logs to the various mills along the river. The creature riding the raft is a “River Rat.” The team will create a mascot based on the River Rat and will host a “Name the Mascot” contest. “River Rats” was the nickname of the people who operated rafts on the Wisconsin River en-route to the mills. Finally, the team’s primary color will be Cranberry Red, a tribute to the strong cranberry industry in the area.

The winner of the “Name the Hometown Team” contest is Brian Schmidt of Wisconsin Rapids. He will receive a pair of season tickets for the 2010 season. Twelve people submitted Rafters as their idea for the name of the team during the first phase of the contest and they will each receive a 9-game pack for the 2010 season. Various other prizes were awarded for fans creativity with the name they submitted.

The team will play at Witter Field, the former home to Midwest League baseball in Wisconsin Rapids.

RELATED STORIES: Stenman, Schmitt to own new Wisconsin Rapids ballclub; Northwoods League expands to Wisconsin Rapids

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