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Wausau Woodchucks

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Wausau Woodchucks
Team Logo
Information
LeagueNorthwoods League (1994-present) (Great Lakes Conference-West Division: 2019-present)
(South Division: 1998-2018)
LocationWausau, Wisconsin
BallparkAthletic Park
Founded1994
League championships2 (2001, 2003)
Division championships2 (2001, 2003)
Former name(s)Wisconsin Woodchucks (1999–2021)
Wausau Woodchucks (1994–1998)
ColorsNavy blue, green, sky blue and white
OwnershipMark Macdonald
ManagementRyan Treu (GM)
MediaWausau Daily Herald
Websitewoodchucks.com

The Wausau Woodchucks are an American baseball team that plays in the Northwoods League, a collegiate summer baseball league. They play their home games at Athletic Park in Wausau, Wisconsin.

Athletic Park baseball field

History

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The team was known as the Wausau Woodchucks from 1994 to 1998, but the team name was changed to Wisconsin Woodchucks for the 1999 season, as they were the only remaining team in Wisconsin in the league at that time.

The team filled the void left by the Wausau Timbers of the Class A Midwest League, who relocated after the 1990 season to Geneva, Illinois, to become the Kane County Cougars.

In 1998 Clark Eckhoff purchased The Wisconsin Woodchucks, and Eckhoff truly made an impact on the team as well as the community as a whole. Not only did attendance dramatically increase with Eckhoff as owner, but the Woodchucks would go on to win two league championships in 2001 and 2003.

The Woodchucks' manager for the 2007–2009 seasons was Jim Gantner, a former Milwaukee Brewer who attended college at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh. Gantner had never managed a team previously, and the Woodchucks appealed to him as he had spent time in the area at a second home.[1] Gantner became the team's president of baseball operations in 2009.[2]

On February 2, 2022, the Woodchucks announced their return as the Wausau Woodchucks, with a new logo and color scheme.[3]

Players

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A number of major leaguers and other notables have played for the Wausau Woodchucks, including:[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Sports::Woodchucks Introduce Gantner as New Manager". WAOW. October 24, 2006. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved June 22, 2007.
  2. ^ "25 Years of Woodchucks Baseball". Wausau Woodchucks. May 1, 2018. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  3. ^ "Woodchucks Renovations go Full Circle with Brand Update". Wausau Woodchucks. February 2, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  4. ^ "Alumni in the Pros". Wausau Woodchucks. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
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