Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Game are fun for my boys. As for me, security has no business searching my purse. My soda was confiscated. Ok so I smuggled in soda. Bad me, It was 90 degrees and I like my soda. It’s refreshing, But you’d think by their bad attitude and their thorough search of my purse that I was bringing in something illegal. I felt really violated. This is not an airport. It’s a baseball game. If it wasn’t for my kids, I would not go to another TRats game, ever, The staff overall is unfriendly. Food is outrageously expensive and it’s not even good. Fries are soggy. Burgers are meh. Stick with the peanuts and cracker jacks… If you can afford them.

What a fantastical cheap and fun evening! We watched the Timber Rattlers womp on the Lumber Kings during thirsty Thursday. All craft beers and (huge) root beer floats were $ 2. The drink and nacho carrying trays were made of wood and reusable.
In between innings we were entertained by the Bratzooka– a gun that shoots brats into the crowd, a race between a beer, bacon and burger, and parking lot attendants fight it out with over sized punching gloves. There was a ton of areas for kids to hang out including a beach in the outfield. Parents could watch the game, while the little ones made sand candles.
I had a great night and can’t wait to go back!

After two years of visiting the West Michigan Whitecaps, I was presented with a new food challenge — the Big Mother Funnel Burger — and that meant a visit to a new ballpark for me. But it’s tough to be compared with such a great overall experience as the Whitecaps.
First, the burger: Two full-​size funnel cakes for buns, 1 pound of ground beef, half a pound of mozzarella cheese, 8 slices of crispy bacon, and a lettuce leaf for health. It sets you back $ 20, but it’s more than two full burgers in one, so that’s totally reasonable. It’s clear this was taste-​tested, because the mozzarella strikes the perfect balance between the sweetness of the bun and the umami/​savory meatiness of the burger. Unfortunately, there were some cold, sticky bits of funnel left over at the end that I had to gnaw through to feel like I could truly claim this challenge. (I was told I’m the first individual to eat a whole one on my own. I was only there for the 6^th home game after it was introduced, so I can believe it.) But the 1 lb burger was as close as one can reasonably get to sizing a patty for the funnel cakes. The drawback: They said 20 minutes after I placed the order, but I was standing around for more than 30 minutes before it came out. I won’t fault them for that, as it was the first Friday so they were probably dealing with larger crowds, but it’s quite a bit of wait and if you walk away for 20 – 30 minutes and come back, you might find a cooling burger instead of a fresh one.
Now, the rest of the experience, and that’s why I only give four stars. The big burger isn’t nearly as well integrated here as in West Michigan. There’s one tiny little food cart way over in right field that serves it. There’s no promotion around it — no eating contest, no timer, no T-​shirt. Not that I do what I do for any reward, but minor league baseball is about fan-​oriented gimmicks, and they’re missing a golden opportunity. The stadium itself is very forgettable, perhaps the highlight (?) being the highway behind right field (we saw a traffic stop in the late innings) and the sun setting behind the grass in left. Left field looks fun, with kids running around the grass and chasing foul balls. There were plenty of between-​innings shenanigans, but nothing spectacular. The promo people would just come out and randomly fling things into the crowd and go back into hiding — no PA announcement, no attempt to get the crowd excited. There’s a random baseball-​shaped cart that circles the entire field backwards (clockwise), I think whenever there’s a pitching change, but it doesn’t DO anything. It just circles. The pitcher’s not on it.
The mascot, by the way, is really creepy. He’s a snake (rattler), but he looks like a lion — same color, same long tail, same paws. But snakes have no noses, and this guy doesn’t even have nostrils. So I’m looking at either a noseless lion, or a snake with paws. Please fix this.
In closing, a memory I’ll never forget from my one time here: In the later innings, a player hit a routine groundout. The pitcher took his time, then suddenly rushed the throw and it bounded toward the dugout. The player went to 2^nd. The first baseman picked it up and quickly threw to 2^nd, and sure enough, the ball bounded to left field. I figured by now, that would surely be enough, but as the player went to 3^rd, the left fielder ran in and heaved the ball toward 3^rd. And sure enough, the ball went into the dugout and the player came around to score. No hits, no baserunners of any kind, but a run scored. On a groundout. Gotta love the minor leagues.

So much fun to go to! The skits in between innings is entertaining, great fireworks, plus the night with $ 1 beer and hotdogs rules! Definitely going a lot this year. Also cheap ticket prices!

This is easily the best thing about Appleton. Best experience, high quality staff, and best bang for your buck. If you’ve never been to a game… WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!

Everything you love about the Brewers, but cheaper and more intimate. Well worth the drive from Milwaukee and totally doable in one day.
Have kids that love baseball or that you’re trying to get into the game? Go to TimberRattlers games. They get way more engaged in the game because they are so close and can really get involved in the on-​field action.
The stadium is gorgeous and clean and easy to move around and they’re spending the offseason remodeling it and making it even better. It’s on par with stadiums in AA and AAA.
Parking is easy and the stadium is right off Hwy 45, so its a very easy trip from Milwaukee. It’s cheap to park and there are always folks tailgating.
You will find ticket and food and drink deals every night of the week.
I’m just a big fan and I think every Brewers fan needs to make the trek up here at least once. There’s something unique about getting to see players that will be in the bigs in the future and the team allows so much access to them. They are constantly signing autographs and tossing balls into the stands. Sure, sometimes the players get traded, but in the past few years we’ve gotten autographs from a good half-​dozen players now on major league rosters.
The team is especially fun and exciting right after the draft in June, as the biggest names tend to get fast-​tracked to Appleton, skipping rookie ball.
Plus, they won the Midwest League Championship this season.

5 well-​earned stars for the Timber Rattlers.
First, my husband and I are huge Brewers fans. It’s really nice to have a ‘feeder’ team so close to us, and we like to make the short trip up to Appleton a few times during the summer.
We also like to tailgate. The spacious parking lot allows us to spread out and move around easily. We can play catch in the field (just off the parking lot) and enjoy the space to move around. Parking is just $ 3.00.
I am always amazed at how clean this place is. Their bathrooms are very clean! (bonus points for the Timber Rattlers!) Friendly staffers, and lots of fun promos during the game make for a good time. (One of the last times we went I got a free t-​shirt with a picture of cheese curds, with the slogan: «Who curd eat just one?») Awesome!
And the food! Better than average food stands — make sure to check out the food choices at either end, as they offer more selections than the ones in the middle. And the prices are fantastic. The last time I got their mozz sticks, and they were fresh and delicious — not to mention you get a lot more for your money than you would other stadiums. Beer is very reasonable, and you get a bigger cup than you would normally get at a place, like, say — Miller Park.
In terms of seating, you can choose an actual ‘seat’ or go for the ‘grass seats’ — BYOB (Bring your own blanket). Lots of families like to come here with their little ones and make a fun day of it. And I believe Saturdays in the summer have fireworks after every game. Even if they don’t win, the TR do a great job at making a family-​friendly stadium to come and have fun. Way to go Timber Rattlers!

I love minor league baseball, such that when I’m really rich, I’m going to purchase a team. It’s how baseball is meant to be played, and the Rattlers put on a fantastic show for everyone.
First, the stadium is a top notch facility. Everything is very well-​kept and clean. We came on a corporate outing night so it was packed, but even still the lines weren’t bad at all. The food and drink selection is really good and the weekday specials are incredible ($ 1 beers on Tuesdays, $ 2 beers on Thursdays).
Some of my favorite moments of the night: The Bratzooka, the boxing match between two fans with giant boxing gloves on, the propeller plane tricycle race, and the fireworks. But without question, the funniest moment of the night, and quite possibly my life, was when an opposing hitter named Carlton came up to bat. Not only did they put Tom Jones singing ‘It’s Not Unusual’ over the loudspeakers, but they cut out the guy’s picture and pasted in a picture of Carlton Banks in a tux on the big screen in center field. Bravo, Timber Rattlers.

Our first visit to a Wisconsin Timber Rattlers game was top notch! Star Wars night was what drew us here from out of town for our first T-​Rats game, but it won’t be our last. Friendly staff, friendly fans, friendly ball players– this is a great minor league baseball experience.
Lawn seats start at just $ 5 and our $ 10 second row seats along the third base line were affordable with great sight lines. You can also reserve patio tables in the stands that come with waitress service.
Tailgating beforehand is allowed, but carry ins are not. Food options inside were typical hot dog and hamburgers, unless you go to the stand all the way down in left field. There you’ll find many options from jumbo hot dogs, tasty potato salad, and a pulled pork sandwich that was very good.
Miller Beers were $ 1 all night. Which was nice, save for the bachelor party the row behind us who showed up wasted, spilling beers on everyone, and also spilling profanities. Still, security kept a tight eye on them, and the guy next to me who didn’t even have kids immediately told the guys to keep their language in check.
For Star Wars night there were photo ops with Darth Vader, R2D2, a Sand Trooper, Yoda and other characters outside the stadium before the game. Actually, before the first game. We had a surprise double header because of a rain out the night before. My only gripe with the whole night was that the rain delay game pushed our actual start time back an hour, making it a long night.
Still, the Star Wars themed lineup photos, film snippets on the big screen, and Darth Vader throwing out the first pitch to many jeers (and Storm Troopers aiming their guns at booing fans), and fireworks to the Star Wars soundtrack was awesome. Storm Trooper-​themed jerseys were being auctioned off for $ 100 and up to benefit the Make-​A-​Wish Foundation.
The Timber Rattlers themselves are very accesible and talk easily with fans and sign autographs for the kids. The team mascot, Fang, was a total ham, also sigining autographs and posing for photos. Besides watching the game, there’s a ton of things for kids to do, from a nice play area to a large sandbox area in center field. Between innings there are lots of goofy contests, and watch out for flying brats! (The Johnsonville/​Klements kind). The Bratzooka wheels out and shoots wrapped brats into the stands and beyond!
I definitely see return visits to see the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Minor league baseball yielding major enjoyment!

If you’re treating your nephews to a sporting event, the last thing you want them exposed to are foul-​mouth fans, disrespectful athletes demonstrating unsportsmanlike conduct, and inappropriate examples of behavior, such as clapping at the passing-​by of every well-​endowed female spectator. Sorry (blank) fans – you know who you are.
Now, I know that being Friday Family Night, this sets the mindset early on for anyone considering attending the Timber Rattler’s baseball game, but having also attended the Saturday evening sell-​out game, I was impressed to find an all-​around family-​friendly, kid-​centric environment at this local Wisconsin «Class A affiliate of the Brewers» stadium.
Here’s a little run down on the «family fun» for kids:
Free hotdog and soda (Family Night)
Sandlot area with toys and miniature tractors
Children’s swing set
$ 1 games (pitching, batting, etc.)
For-​Kids-​Only vending booth
Races/​games/​entertainment between innings
Fang, the greatest mascot ever
Last but not least, don’t miss your chance to score a bratwurst from the Bratzooka Brat Launcher.
I just wish it would have been the Star Wars themed Saturday coming up in June. I mean who doesn’t want to see baseball players in Star Wars jerseys?!?

I went to a «T-​Rats» game tonight for the first time. My friends always used to go when interning for KC, so I jumped at the chance to go. We had great seats for really cheap, and food and libations are pretty cheap. I know it’s not the same quality of ball that you’ll get at a higher league, but it’s a very enjoyable time.
There are dollar beers on Tuesday and Thursday, and they do a *ton* of promotions. Plus, they have a «bratzooka» that shoots brats like 40 feet into the air. I spent every inning break just laughing. Also, Fang, their mascot, has some very entertaining dance moves :)

If you enjoy sports; the Midwest League Wisconsin Timber Rattlers offer a really nice stadium. This is Class A baseball, so don’t expect the same level of skills that you might see at a major league stadium.
Lots of reasons to visit Appleton, and this is one of the main ones.