Joannes Stadium
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Joannes Stadium | |
|---|---|
| The Jo | |
| Location | 1495 Kurtz Avenue Green Bay, Wisconsin |
| Opened | 1929 |
| Owner | The City of Green Bay |
| Operator | Titletown Baseball Group |
| Surface | Grass |
| Tenants | Green Bay Bluejays (Three-I League) (1958-1960)
Green Bay Sultans (Prairie League) (1996) Green Bay Bullfrogs (NWL) (2007–present) |
| Capacity | 2,000 |
| Field dimensions | Left: 328 feet, Left-Center: 365 feet, Center: 392 feet, Right-Center: 365 feet, Right: 320 feet |
Joannes Stadium is a baseball stadium located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It is a part of the Joannes Park complex, which also includes the Joannes Aquatic Center. It is the home of the Green Bay Bullfrogs, a Northwoods League team which began play in 2007. The stadium has hosted a number of defunct minor league baseball teams including the Green Bay Sultans and the Green Bay Blue Jays. Its current capacity is approximately 2,000 fans with about 1600 in the seating bowl and about 400 in the new Leinies Northwoods Fan Deck.
Contents |
[edit] The History of Joannes Stadium
- Built in 1929
- In 1935 Joannes Field hosted an exhibition game between the St. Louis Browns and Pittsburgh Pirates. Roger Hornsby played first base, Honus Wagner was the coach of the Pirates. Over 3,500 people attend the game.
- 1950’s-60’s-Joannes Stadium was home to the Green Bay Blue Jays, a Class D Minor League affiliate of the Cleveland Indians and Brooklyn Dodgers. Popular players of the time include Frank Howard, who in 1958 hit 37 home runs and knocked in 119. Howard went on to become the 1960 National League Rookie of the Year. In 1959 George Scott knocked in an amazing 155 and did not make the All-Star team. Other well known’s of the time Andy Pafko of Boyceville, Wisconsin, went on to play for the World Champion Milwaukee Braves. When Dodgers moved to Los Angeles, the team in Green Bay is also moved.
- 1970’s-August 2006-Joannes was home to a number of local teams including the Green Bay Blue Ribbons, Green Bay Sultans and the Green Bay Billy’s.
[edit] A New Look for Joannes
On September 19, 2006 the Green Bay City Council approved the lease of Joannes Stadium to the Northwoods League and the Titletown Baseball Group, which has been awarded a franchise to begin play in the 2007 season. This allowed the Titletown Baseball group to begin renovations on Joannes Stadium on September 20, 2006. Those renovations continued through the Spring of 2007. Some of the major renovations that were undertaken include,
- Leveling of the playing field.
- The installations of 30 foot high professional foul poles.
- The installation of flag poles beyond the center field fence.
- The painting of a batter's eye.
- The adding of seat backs to some seats, creating the Reserved seating sections.
- The addition of a new sound system.
- The construction of a brand new press box (Media Center)
- The construction of the new 4,084 square foot Fan Deck in the right field corner. (The Leinies Northwoods Fan Deck)
[edit] The Renovations Continue in 2008
In a press conference on April 2, 2008, the Green Bay Bullfrogs announced the renovation plans for the 2008 season. The first phase of the 2008 renovations will be done in partnership with Nicolet Bank of Green Bay. It will feature a state-of-the-art professional style scoreboard to be located in right center field. It will be an expansive scoreboard, 28 feet high at its peak and measuring 28 feet wide. It will also feature a large 20’L x 3’4”H graphics/messaging display. A back lit custom designed decorative truss prominently displays the team name “Green Bay Bullfrogs", while the teams primary logo provides the finishing touches. The second phase of this project will include the installation of a Speed Pitch Radar Display in partnership with Precision Installations and IBEW Local #158. The display will be located in left center field to visually complement the new scoreboard. A staple feature in ballparks across the country, fans will be able to keep track of how fast a pitcher is throwing the ball. The existing scoreboard at Joannes will remain, thus giving every fan no matter where they are in the ballpark the information they need to keep up with the game being played. The Bullfrogs also have stated that there are preliminary plans in place for the possible expansion of some perimeter fencing along the west side of Joannes Stadium to accommodate expansion of the Kids Zone, an additional concession area and the possible addition of bleacher seating for the upcoming season.[1]
[edit] Where Joannes Stadium is Headed
Bullfrogs Owner Jeff Royle has stated that he has created a master plan for where he plans to take Joannes Stadium in the next few years. These plans include continuing to update and modernize the seating bowl behind home plate and ending up with fan decks in both outfield corners. Royle said that he envisions Joannes as a 2,500-3,500 seat ball park. [2]
