Witter Field
Map
Former namesLincoln Athletic Field
Location521 Lincoln St, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494[1]
OwnerWisconsin Rapids
Capacity4,000 (1941)
3,000 (1983)[2]
1,588 (current)[3]
Field size(LF-CF-RF): 320-385-320[2] 320 L, 375 C, 320 R (current)[3]
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Built1928
Opened1928
Renovated1950, 2010
Tenants
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (2010-Present)
Wisconsin Rapids Twins (1964-1983)
Wisconsin Rapids Senators (1963)
Wisconsin Rapids White Sox (1941-42; 1946-53)

Witter Field is a baseball ballpark located at 521 Lincoln Street in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, United States. It was built in 1928.[3] It served as the home park for multiple minor league teams: the Wisconsin Rapids White Sox, Wisconsin Rapids Senators and Wisconsin Rapids Twins.[4] Currently, it hosts the Northwoods League's Wisconsin Rapids Rafters and youth teams.

Witter Field History

The ballpark was home to the Wisconsin Rapids White Sox (1941–42; 1946–53) of the Class-D Wisconsin State League.[3] The League folded after the 1953 season,[5] leaving Witter without professional baseball until a new team in the Class-A Midwest League started play. The Wisconsin Rapids Senators (1963) and Wisconsin Rapids Twins (1964-1983) would play for the next two decades.[2] Following the 1983 season, the franchise moved to Simmons Field in Kenosha, Wisconsin.[6]

In 2010, baseball returned, as the current tenant, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters of the summer collegiate Northwoods League began play in June, 2010.[3]

The park was built in 1928 and dedicated in 1934.[3] The site housed the Lincoln High School facility, beginning in 1902 and the field was called "Lincoln Athletic Field" until 1940 when it became "Witter Field" in honor of Isaac Witter.[7]

The wooden grandstand bleachers were replaced in 1950. 227 seats from the demolished Milwaukee County Stadium were installed in 2010.[3]

From 2005-2008 Witter Field hosted the youth WIAC state baseball tournament.[7]

On July 18, 2011, Witter Field hosted the Northwoods League All-Star Game. Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Paul Molitor was present for All-Star festivities.[3]

The site today

It is currently the home to local High School baseball, Legion Baseball and hosts the Northwoods League's Wisconsin Rapids Rafters.[3]

The site also contains the Wisconsin Rapids Recreation Complex featuring the Wisconsin Rapids Aquatic Center, tennis courts, pickleball courts, ice skating, a warming house, a football field and a skate park.[8]

Notable players

The park has hosted numerous Major League alumni, some of note include:

References

  1. ^ "Ballpark". Wisconsin Woodchucks. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  2. ^ a b c [1][dead link]
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Ballpark". Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Witter Field - Wisconsin Rapids Wisconsin - Former Wisconsin Rapids Twins / Current Wisconsin Rapids Rafters". Digitalballparks.com. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  6. ^ "Witter Field - Wisconsin Rapids Wisconsin - Former Wisconsin Rapids Twins / Current Wisconsin Rapids Rafters". Digitalballparks.com. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  7. ^ a b [2][dead link]
  8. ^ [3][dead link]

44°23′08″N 89°49′14″W / 44.385493°N 89.820621°W / 44.385493; -89.820621

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