Northwoods Green Bay Rockers

Green Bay Bullfrogs Annouce New Ownership

November 19, 2013 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Green Bay Rockers News Release


(Green Bay, Wis.) - Northwoods League President Dick Radatz, Jr. announced that ownership of the Green Bay Bullfrogs has been transferred from the Northwoods League to Green Bay Baseball LLC. The new ownership group consists of seasoned Northwoods League operators including lead owner Steve Schmitt, Vern Stenman, Conor Caloia and Liz Kern. The group has been involved as owners or operators in the League for a combined 50 years. The group currently owns and operates Northwoods League franchises in Madison, Wis., Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. and Kenosha, Wis.

"Given the track record of this ownership group, we are looking for big things ahead with our Green Bay affiliate," Radatz, Jr. said.

"We are excited to be a part of the Green Bay community," the group said in a joint statement. "We think there is a great opportunity to enhance the game day experience for Bullfrogs fans and we are confident the best days for baseball in Green Bay are ahead of us."

Kern has been named Vice President and General Manager of the Bullfrogs and will be relocating to Green Bay the first week of December to oversee day-to-day operations of the franchise. For the past four years, Kern has served as the General Manager of the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. She was named the Northwoods League Executive of the Year and Ballparkdigest.com Executive of the Year in 2010. Kern has guided a team in the League's second smallest market (out of 18) to the eighth best attendance in the circuit averaging nearly 1,400 fans over the past four seasons.

"I can't wait to get to work," Kern said. "Our organization prides itself on providing great family entertainment and I am honored to be a part of the next chapter of Northwoods League Baseball in Green Bay.  I look forward to building a great partnership with the City of Green Bay and the area baseball teams."

Schmitt is the owner of the Midwest's largest independent shoe store, the Shoe Box in Black Earth, Wis. He founded the nation's most successful summer collegiate franchise, the Madison Mallards, in 2001. Stenman has worked in the Northwoods League for 17 years and has been with the Mallards since the inception of the franchise. Caloia started as intern with the Mallards and has been the General Manager of the franchise for the last four seasons. The Mallards have an average per game attendance of more than 6,100 fans per game and lead the nation in every attendance category. When compared to more than 260 minor league, independent league and summer collegiate franchises, the Mallards rank 23rd in the country outdrawing many AA and AAA affiliated teams. In 2011, the Mallards and the City of Madison completed a $2.2 million renovation to Warner Park that was funded through a public-private partnership.

In 2010, Schmitt and Stenman founded the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters bringing minor league-style baseball back to the community for the first time in more than 20 years. The Rafters have quickly become a phenomenon in the area garnering unprecedented fan and corporate support. The Rafters hosted the 2011 Northwoods League All-Star Game and have made several significant stadium upgrades including the installation of Milwaukee County Stadium seats, the construction of a walk-in souvenir stand and multiple club seating areas.

Earlier this year, Schmitt, Stenman and Caloia started Kenosha Baseball, the newest entry into the Northwoods League. The group is in the final stages of a complete renovation to Historic Simmons Field that was built in 1926. The $1.25 million public-private partnership with the City of Kenosha features, 1,500 new stadium seats, a refurbished historic grandstand and family area. Kenosha Baseball will begin play in the Northwoods League in May of 2014.

Stenman and Caloia will be involved in the day-to-day operation of the Bullfrogs with Kern. Between the four teams, the group has more than 20 full-time employees and 500 seasonal employees. The Bullfrogs plan to hire at least two new full-time employees plus several seasonal positions and internships. In addition to the Bullfrogs full-time staff, the ownership group will have several organizational experts based in other markets to consult on marketing, ticket sales, concessions and operations.

The first order of business for the new ownership group will be to reach out to ticket holders, corporate partners and the local baseball community to hear their vision for the future of the Bullfrogs. The Bullfrogs will host listening sessions on December 10 and 12 at the Bullfrogs office to start the discussion on improvements for the franchise. The new ownership group assumes the Bullfrogs lease for Joannes Stadium with the City of Green Bay that runs through the 2016 season.

For more information on the Bullfrogs please contact Conor Caloia at 608.509.3367.

The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. The 20-year old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including MLB All-Stars Max Scherzer (DET), Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYY), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live and free of charge via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com.

Green Bay Baseball LLC

Steve Schmitt, Lead Owner

Schmitt, who also owns The Shoe Box in Black Earth, Wis., is driven by a passion for the game. His extraordinary attention to customer service has become the trademark of all his businesses which also include the Madison Mallards, Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, Kenosha Baseball and Rookies Food and Spirits. A die-hard St. Louis Cardinals Fan, Schmitt lives in Stoughton, Wis. and has four daughters along with eight grandchildren.

Vern Stenman, President

Stenman, a two-time Northwoods League Executive of the Year, is the President of the Madison Mallards, Wisconsin Rapids Rafters and Kenosha Baseball. His innovative promotional ideas and steady vision have contributed to his team's record breaking attendance over the past 13 years. Prior to Madison, the St. Cloud, Minn. native, worked for the St. Cloud River Bats before taking a position with the NHL's Minnesota Wild. Stenman, a Minnesota Twins Fan, and wife Kallie have two children, daughter Chloe Mae, 6, and son Bode Axel, 2.

Conor Caloia, Chief Operating Officer

Caloia has been the Madison Mallards General Manager since 2009 and was recognized as the 2011 NWL Executive of the Year. Before rejoining the Mallards, Caloia served as the Director of Operations for the Wilmington Sharks of the summer collegiate Coastal Plains League. Under his management, the Sharks hosted the 2009 CPL All-Star Game and were named the '09 CPL Organization of the Year. Prior to Wilmington, Caloia worked as the Director of Marketing at the Western Athletic Conference. Caloia previously worked for the Mallards from 2003 to 2006. He received a bachelor's degree from the UW- Madison School of Journalism and an MBA from the UW School of Business. Conor and his wife Rachel have been married for four years, reside in Madison and just had their first child, Ella, in September.

Liz Kern, Vice President and General Manager

The 2010 Northwoods League Executive of the Year and 2010 Ballpark Digest Executive of the Year, is entering her eleventh season in the NWL. She was recently promoted to Vice President of the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, after spending four seasons as General Manager. Prior to taking the helm for the Rafters, Kern worked for the Madison Mallards from 2004 to 2009, overseeing the team's ticket operation and customer service.  Kern received her bachelor's degree in Sport Management and Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse where she was a member of the softball team.  She is originally from Beaver Dam, Wisconsin and is relocating to Green Bay. When not at the ballpark she enjoys spending time with her family, boating and attending other sporting events.

Group Portfolio

The City of Madison, Wis. - Madison Mallards (since 2001)

Public-private partnership resulted in a major $2.2 million renovation to Warner Park in 2011. Named Ballparkdigest.com "2011 Stadium Renovation of the Year."

The Mallards have contributed more than $3.3 million to capital improvements in a joint effort to completely overhaul the 30 year old City facility.

The City and the Mallards managed to recycle and re-use 80 percent of the material from the old stadium.

Hold every national attendance record for summer collegiate baseball with an average of 6,278 fans per game.

Rank amongst the top 10 percent in all of minor league baseball operations in the nation.

The City of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (since 2010)

The Rafters have contributed more than $200,000 in improvements to the WPA facility in its first two seasons.

The Rafters worked with City to install old Milwaukee County Stadium seats into the existing grandstand of Witter Field.

Rank in the top half of the NWL in attendance and revenue despite playing in the 18 team League's second smallest market.

Hosted the 2011 Northwoods League All-Star Game.

The City of Kenosha, Wis. - Kenosha Baseball (since 2013)

New franchise opening May 31, 2014.

Public-private partnership to invest $1.25 million into a stadium built in 1926. City is contributing $750,000 and majority of renovations will be completed by the end of November.

Team name and logo to be unveiled Saturday, November 23.

A Tradition of Success

Our business is all about FUN. Since 2001, we have been working hard to master the art of providing a unique, fun and memorable experience for our fans. Highlights include:

The Mallards attracted the 23rd best crowds amongst the 270 minor league baseball teams in the country with 6,110 fans per game in 2013 and have drawn over 2 million fans since 2001, leading summer collegiate baseball in attendance since 2003.

Our franchise in Wisconsin Rapids draws the 8th best crowds in the 18 team NWL averaging 1,301 fans in 2013 even though they operate in the 2nd smallest market in the league.

Our positioning in the community is affordable family fun. From zip-lining mascots and appearances by celebrities, to human bowling and interactive kid's games, we plan on bringing a dynamic combination of entertainment and baseball to the Green Bay community.

Our Philosophy

Desire to play an integral role in the community

Focus is on affordable, family entertainment

More than just a baseball team - an entertainment destination

Active in local charitable organizations. More than 1,000 donation requests fulfilled a year in Madison.

The customer is the most important part of our business

Short-Term Plan For The Bullfrogs

Stabilize franchise

Repair damaged relationships

Meet the fan base and conduct listening sessions on December 10 and 12 at 6 pm at team office.

Evaluate facility improvement options

Develop a comprehensive, long-term plan after six months of operation



Northwoods League Stories from November 19, 2013


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