Northwoods Green Bay Rockers

Handelsman Winningest Manager in NWL Playoff History

Published on August 10, 2015 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Green Bay Rockers News Release


Green Bay Bullfrogs Manager Skip Handelsman
Green Bay Bullfrogs Manager Skip Handelsman
(Green Bay Rockers)

Madison, Wis.- At Madison's Duck Pond, photos are scattered throughout the stadium of their playoff teams. There are portraits of the minor league Madison Muskies (1982-93) with players such as Jose Canseco, Rick Honeycutt, and Tommy John featured. And odes to the Madison Black Wolf, an independent team that operated at Warner Park until 2000 lay claim to an impressive amount of games played on these grounds.

But one piece of history is featured more prominently than the others. In the concourse level down the 3rd base line is an enlarged photograph of the Mallards first championship team in 2004, managed by Skip Handelsman.

Championship trophy front and center, next to a club that began Madison's meteoric rise as a franchise, Handelsman, handlebar mustache and all, hehad cemented himself as one of the league's best managers. Madison's first championship was his second won, he claimed a title with the Waterloo Bucks in 2002.

Now he's back, and this time with a hungry Bullfrogs team.

In addition to being the league's winningest manager all time (377-271), a win better than Eau Claire skipper Dale Varsho (376-386), Handelsman also owns the most post-season wins in the league's history.

From 1999-2004, Handelsman is 12-10 (.545 Win %) in the post-season, one win better than Tom Fleenor (ROC 3, STC 2) who went 11-10 through 1998-2000, 2003-2004.

Handelsman will be making his seventh appearance in the playoffs, also the most in the league dating back to 1994, two more entrances into the post season than the retired Fleenor.

Scott vs. Handelsman Clash In Playoff Matchup

Green Bay's Handelsman, in two seasons with the Bullfrogs has led them to a 77-66 record, duels Madison's Field Manager, Donnie Scott. Scott is third in the league's record books with eight postseason wins, but has only lost once in two total appearances.

In fact, the last time the Bullfrogs made the playoffs in 2011, Scott was the opposing Manager and he took down a roster laden with professional talent in two games on the way to heading Battle Creek's first and only championship.

After managing the Mallards, Handelsman spent nine years in the Coastal Plains League with the Fayetteville SwampDogs. 2004 was his last time season in the NWL playoffs.

He brings back his third different team to the NWL post season circuit, a Bullfrogs team that leads the league in stolen bases (188 SB-T 2nd NWL All-Time), is third in pitching (3.62 ERA), and has eight senior position players, with five returning players still on the roster.

Although the Bullfrogs enter as the away team in tonight's contest, they have not shied away from playing on the road at the Duck Pond or Simmons Field all season. In fact, the Bullfrogs are 5-3 against Kenosha and Madison on the road, and won their last game at the Duck Pond on June 10th, 5-2.

Handelsman has preached that the team needs to stay loose and build upon some of their marquee wins amassed against great teams in front of big crowds.

With a motto of "beat the game" the Frogs will take an unrelenting approach against Madison starter Andrew Beckwith (Coastal Carolina) eyeing Green Bay's first playoff win since 2007.

If this Bullfrogs club gets past the Mallards, and the Kingfish win at home, the Bullfrogs could take on Kenosha at Simmons Field. If the Loggers win and the Bullfrogs take down Scott's team, the Bullfrogs host the second playoff game, tomorrow at Joannes Stadium.

Single game tickets and playoff tickets are on sale now. Visit www.greenbaybullfrogs.com to purchase tickets. The Bullfrogs are now accepting deposits for seven-game pack, season ticket and group outings for the 2016 season. To place a deposit, please contact Derek McCarty at (920) 497-7225 or derek@greenbaybullfrogs.com. The Bullfrogs' business hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Images from this story

Green Bay Bullfrogs Manager Skip Handelsman
Green Bay Bullfrogs Manager Skip Handelsman
   



Northwoods League Stories from August 10, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central