By Jim Paul
Internal staff
ASHWAUBENON – While the Green Bay Rockers are having a bit of trouble finding success on the field, Rockers vice president and general manager John Fanta said the organization’s new theme and focus, the live music before every game, it’s off to a promising start.
Despite the team’s losing record, Fanta said attendance is up from last year and the Rockers have the eighth best attendance of the 22 teams in the Northwoods League.
Fanta said the main mission of the Rockers staff is to make sure everyone has fun and enjoys a night of entertainment, both for the baseball fan and the casual, and everyone in between.
“We are proud to offer a fun entertainment option, which happens to have a baseball game in the background,” he said. “Eighty percent of the people who attend a summer college baseball game don’t know any of the players who are competing and don’t remember the score at the end of the night. That’s what we’re here to deliver, that constant fun experience, no matter what’s going on on the field.”
Fanta said the team’s revamped look and new musical offerings have been well received so far.
“Lots of fun on the playground until the first half,” he said. “I think the live music has gone well. This year has been a lot of fun. Our new inflatable bounce houses have been very well received by the kids, so it’s been a great time for fans of all ages.”
Fanta said the pre-game music so far has been a hit, with the team welcoming a new band/performer each night (minus Thursday night staples, the NEW Piano Guys) of various genres.
“We’ve had pretty much everything under the sun – The Cougars, Conscious Pilot, we’ve had the Piano NOU guys a few times now and they play every Thursday,” he said. “We’ve had Johnny Wad and Carbon Road, you name it. So it’s been a blast. I think the NEW Piano Guys have been really popular. Johnny Wad had a great time and is always a popular name in the area.”
Local bands, like The Cougars, pictured here, have performed before first pitch at every Green Bay Rockers home game this season. Rich Palzewic Photo
Northeast Wisconsin resident Judy Payne said she really enjoyed the party during the recent Rockers game she attended.
“It adds to the experience of having a live band,” he said.
While the pregame concerts have been the most popular with fans, Fanta said the team also has in-game entertainment like most minor league teams, including several fan games on the field between innings .
De Pere resident Hollie Collar said her family has attended Green Bay Booyah games in the past and enjoyed them, but said the Rockers game they attended recently was an even better experience.
“I thought this was much more interactive and I appreciated the things to do with the kids,” Collar said. “The overall experience when we went was great for both kids and adults. We got to watch the game from the hill while our kids watched and played intermittently on the bounce houses. They had a blast and they got to experience a real baseball game in their backyard.”
The Rockers offer a variety of activities at each game, including a handful of bounce houses, which are available for an additional cost. Photo sent
He said the music and activities also provided entertainment for his whole family.
Fanta said each night of the week focuses on a new promotion meant to appeal to all attendees, from free hot dog Mondays to bring-your-dog-to-the-game Wednesdays.
“We’ve done a variety of different group spaces that include all-you-can-eat and drink,” he said. “They have been very well received. We’re just trying to find a niche for each person, whether you’re hanging out with a couple of friends or a group of 50. We try to accommodate as best we can for each of them. situations and take care of people with the variety of seats we have.”
Looking ahead to the second half of the season, Fanta said he expects even bigger crowds and more fun.
The team
Fanta said that just as the fans are adjusting to the team’s new identity and focus, so are the players.
Green Bay Rockers vice president and general manager John Fanta said the team has the eighth best attendance of the 22 teams in the Northwoods League. Photo by Heather Graves
“There’s a new squad of players this year and we’re very much on the young side of things,” he said. “We’ll probably have our squad in the middle of June and it takes a while for everyone to come together and now going into the second half we’ve got a fresh start so hopefully we can get a few more wins on the board.”
Fanta said that includes participating in some team bonding activities outside of game days.
“We play pretty much every day, so you get to know people very quickly,” he said. “Our manager Chris Krepline’s job is to find those guys and get them all on the same wavelength for the rest of the summer.”
The Bat Dog – Luke
One new addition to the Rockers games that isn’t quite ready for full rollout is Luke, the new bat dog.
The Bat Dog – Luke
“The process (with Luke) started as a puppy in March, and he’s doing a lot of work behind the scenes,” Fanta said. “To take that from a puppy stage to being yelled at by 1,500-1,700 fans is a big change for a new dog, let alone (being asked to) pick up a bat and not be distracted by something.”
He said Luke is at every home game, but he’s not “on the job” yet.
“(Coach) is working really hard with him to make sure he’s good to go at the end of the summer,” Fanta said. “So it’s a work in progress that takes a little bit of time. I think the fans will appreciate it once we get it up to full strength.”
Not just baseball
Fanta said the party never stops at Capital Credit Union Park.
The Rockers organization will be organizing larger-scale concerts in the coming weeks, including Three Days Grace on July 23 and Papa Roach on August 14.
More information on all things Green Bay Rockers can be found online at northwoodsleague.com/green-bay-rockers.
