Hello all, welcome to WFHR's Rapids Report for this April 29th, 2025.
Have your host, James J. mail off here and welcoming into the studio.
Our good friend, assistant GM of your Wisconsin Rapids rafters, Jake Adams is with us.
Jake, how are you doing, man?
I'm doing great, James.
Glad to be here.
Oh, good to have you here.
Let's talk some baseball kind of feels good to the soul, doesn't it?
Just it feels great.
I want to kick things off right away, reminding everybody to go to NorthwoodsLeague.com and
be sure to sign up for texting with Roscoe.
I did this a while ago and I first noticed that I did it because it was fun.
I love this a great way to keep up the date with rafters news and it's going right to
my phone.
I get it right away.
I didn't know you guys are going to be giving away stuff.
Oh, yeah.
That's pretty cool.
That's pretty cool.
We're pulling a couple things out of the archives and we want them in the hands of rafters
fans and join our tech service to get them right now.
We're giving away a Kyle Teal sign baseball.
Thank you so much to the Portland Seedogs for sending us a couple reminding us that Kyle
Teal is still a part of the rafters family and he still thinks about us often.
He's not with the Seedogs this year, but I mean, it's so cool to have Kyle Teal's name
around and yeah, join the tech service when a sign baseball.
I'm glad you brought that up.
This is something that we talk about every year with the rafters, especially this time
of year when we're looking for host families and some of that.
The way that these former players in the NorthwoodsLeague in general, but specifically just
hometown rafters and looking at that, the way that we follow these athletes from then
on and they become another added part of baseball that we love.
It's a long season, whether we're talking to the NorthwoodsLeague or we're talking MLB
and there's a lot of time to fill.
There's a lot of things that I find myself as a baseball fan, you know, 30, 40 games
in, what interests me, what's bringing me back to the ballpark again and major or Northwoods
League and these kind of things are part of what bring you in and especially when you're
a host family and the connection you make with these athletes, we got a couple of long
time listeners that call in that were host families and just speaking with them about
it and they could speak so much better to this.
I'm paraphrasing a lot of what they say, but it's a new family member.
It becomes somebody who is to their kids.
It's like a cousin to them.
It's like another, you know, distant relative or something and they follow these guys and
these guys stay in touch with them and reach out to them, letting them know, hey, I'm
making my MLB debut today and stuff like some of the stories I've heard.
So there's a lot of great positive reasons just in general to be a host family, but kind
of shifting gears to that real quick, Jake.
The reasons we encourage people to be host families, the added parts of it are some of
what we're talking about here.
Yeah, of course.
I mean, our host family program is pretty eccentric.
We love what we can do with those families in the area and we want to make you a part
of the rafters family in general while there is the added benefit of you do get an added
family member.
We just a quick story.
We had Connor and Gwen went across the border to St. Paul this last weekend and went and
saw former rafter and current Pittsburgh pirate prospect, Billy Cook for a game in
St. Paul and he had a million great things to say about Wisconsin rapids, his host family,
everyone in the organization.
He doesn't forget about us.
We didn't forget about him.
It was awesome to catch up with him, but I think the host family program, it does provide
a unique experience because while these kids are coming into Wisconsin rapids, not knowing
what they're getting themselves into, it's a different town, it's a different area.
Some of them are coming from California, Florida, Alabama and are kind of getting that
Midwestern hospitality, but you'd get that insane storytelling of this could be the next
MLB prospect.
This could be the next MLB superstar.
Our team has produced some insane MLB talent.
This league has produced some insane MLB talent.
But in general, even if they don't make that next step, it's so fun to be able to follow
them along and see what they do with their lives.
Yeah, to be a part of somebody's dream is something that's a gift.
It's a humbling gift.
Not a lot of us get an opportunity to be a part of and do.
I saw this a lot in a hockey level with my dad as a kid and having people from Canada
or Saskatchewan or Sweden or something like that staying on the couch or something along
these things, it's a privilege to be a part of something like that.
The impact you can make on your community, offering up your home to one of these kids
is so, it has such a domino effect.
I don't think it takes a lot of deep digging to realize how impactful having the rafters
or river kings in this town impact our economy.
We talk about this a lot with the world's biggest ski show that happens right here every
summer.
And every summer we remind our community, hey, we got a lot of people coming over to this
town that don't always come here, every one of us is a mascot.
Every single one of us is a mascot for this community in this area to promote it, to encourage
people to come back to it, spend your money, visit us, live here, any of the above, it's
how rural community survive.
Absolutely.
Not every rural community has got a minor baseball and two sports teams in their town and everything.
This is a beautiful, beautiful privilege we have around here.
Part of how you can make an impact with that and help that is certainly going to the games,
including the players.
But when you're a host family, it's a whole other level of supporting and putting into
your community and helping your rafters do the work that they're doing and entertaining
us along with bringing all this attention and all this money and economy into our community.
You are a vital part of that by being a host family.
But Jake, I also, I don't want to just skate past the other things that come along with
this.
Each member of your immediate family will receive free, full-season bleacher tickets.
Yep.
I don't think we touched on this stuff nearly enough, man.
Your family will receive merchandise discount of the raft house.
Your family also receive free pass allowing entrances to the Northwoods League ball parks
to watch the team on the road.
That's above and beyond, man.
I didn't know that part.
Yeah.
Our biggest thing is we want to help offset costs as much during the summer as possible,
but also giving you a unique experience to being a part of that rafters family.
There are a couple of perks that we have an updated that we're going to be sending out
to our host families as well, including an additional 30-minute early entrance to every
game.
You'll be able to come in not just 60 minutes before the game starts, but 90 minutes.
You get your concessions.
You get to your seat.
You can check in with your host player and see how they're doing.
We also added a custom host family jersey for this season, so every member of your family
who is a part of this host family will get a rafters 2025 host family jersey.
Some of them are excited to roll those kind of perks out with a couple of their surprises
during the season for our host families, because you are a part of our family as well.
You're taking care of our guys during the summer.
We want to make sure that you're taking care of as well.
You all are crazy.
You guys are crazy over there.
You go away above and beyond.
That's awesome, man.
I didn't know about the jersey.
That is really cool.
That is very cool.
Nice to add a touch to this.
Absolutely.
And one of the things that we love about this community, all that stuff is just icing.
They're doing this because they love the rafters.
They like doing this with helping out these kids.
And one of the other things that I think is really noteworthy about this is the previous
host families.
How well they sell this.
How well they tell the experience and everything.
A big shout out to all of them.
While we're looking for new host families, we're not forgetting the people that have done
this in the past and really paved the way for this and how many different great talented
players have been able to come to this area because of people opening their doors.
If you have questions, if you're interested in this, but you're a little uncertain or anything
like that, Jake and the team want to answer those questions.
They want you to reach out.
Please feel free to become a host family and find out all the cool things we're talking
about here.
That jersey's awesome, man.
That's really exciting.
My dad's going to do this just for that if anything else.
He'd love to do this.
Another way you could be a part of things with the rafters in a unique way is the open
interviews that are going on over at Wooder Field.
And these are coming up tomorrow, April 30th and May 3rd, Jake.
Yes.
Yes, sir.
We got open interviews over at Wooder Field Wednesday, April 30th.
We're going to be from four to seven and Saturday, May 3rd will be there 11 to three.
Stop on by.
If you wanted to be a part of this fun summer at Wooder Field, I mean, I remember my
first job when I was around that 14, 15 years old was I was an umpire for little league
during the summer and I loved spending my summer at the ballpark and while I didn't
have an opportunity quite like the rafters being in my town, I wish I did because spending
your summers at the ballpark, it is just one of those summers that you will never forget
because great first job.
I mean, we're welcoming anyone who's above the age of 14 and up and you can be 14, you
can be 114.
We want to have you a part of the fun.
And we're going to have a great staff, a great intern staff and just honestly great vibes
at the ballpark this summer.
That's the biggest selling point.
Yeah, you know, that's something I really nice point to add to this every I've been working
with the rafters for almost a decade now and anybody I've worked with from anybody working
concessions to the top of the top and I mean ownership and everything just above and
be on kind and workable good people, good nature, good vibe.
There's always a great vibe in that ballpark and one of the things that I've noticed, especially
over the years, even when there is a close loss, I don't see people leaving and their heads
down or complaining or anything like that, certainly wanted to win, want the W, but I don't
see this, this town has such an appreciation, this fan base, such an appreciation for
this team that you don't even see that.
I will say as a side note, the rafters spoil us, we usually have pretty darn good teams.
So we, you know, we're used to being winning in competitiveness.
That's a great thing, but even beyond all of that, people just love baseball.
They love this team.
So when or lose being a part of that, you can almost guarantee there's always a good vibe
down at the ballpark.
This is a great opportunity as you touch on Jake about when you're young and that and being
able to be at a ballpark, what a, what an experience, what a first job.
But I also want to touch on the importance of so many key things that a kid can learn
in this job that you can't get everywhere.
I talk about this a lot with theater and performing that, you know, there's no different
than sports.
Any kid that's a part of a local theater player, a high school player, junior high player,
any of that stuff is no different than a high school athlete, the percentage of them going
on to do this as a profession gets smaller and smaller as you go on.
But one thing that you can guarantee is that you're building their confidence.
You're giving them life experiences that they can take into any field, no matter what
they do.
The Raptors are looking for concession staff, mascot performers, retail sales representatives,
kid zone attendance or even camera operators.
Every one of those jobs you can take experience from and go into almost any type of field.
Absolutely.
So the, having that on your resume, having that life experience there and getting that
in your hometown while working at the ballpark like that's just win, win, win, win, win.
It's a great time and a great thing to be able to offer to the community.
Yeah.
And I mean, we're very excited to offer all these different positions for the summer.
I know one we've been talking about a lot is that concession staff because there what
makes the ballpark kind of go round there, pumping out food, pumping out drinks for all of
our fans during that time, kid zone attendance are very important because we've got the kids
who love the bounce house, love the speed pitch, love that general area.
And we need some people to do not just kid wrangling, but just making sure that everything's
going smoothly, mascot performers, always a fun one and get to be Roscoe P. Rafter.
Yeah.
Come on.
That's pretty cool.
Yeah.
I mean, that's a fun job to say 10 years from now, 15 years from now.
Yeah.
I spent the summer as a Northwoods league mascot, but then also our retail sales representatives.
We have our raft house team shop and we've got some really cool merchandise coming this
year.
But we're always looking for fun, outgoing people to help out our fans, get the right
merch and get the right fit for them.
It's a wonderful opportunity.
The open interviews are going to be at Winterfield, April 30th from 4 to 7 in May 3rd,
11 to 3.
Jake, should they bring a resume down there with them, treat this similar to age, you know,
kind of an open job of a fair or a job fair or something like that.
Yeah.
Honestly, with these open interviews, treat it as if it is a job interview, but more than
anything, we're just looking for the kind of people we want to have around the ballpark
this summer.
So bring a resume, bring anything that you think we should see, but at the same time, just
positive attitudes in the smile are going to be a more important thing because that's
the kind of people we want around Winterfield service with a smile and being able to take
care of our fans.
We're speaking with Assistant General Manager of your Wisconsin Rapids, Raptors, Jake Adams
right now.
And Jake, we just got to know each other a little while ago, so you probably don't know
this about me, but I am in a band called Penguins and Plains.
It is me and my parents' dog Sam.
We have a little bit of artistic differences here and there.
We haven't put out our first album or anything yet, so I don't know if we're ready for the
Open Auditions National Anthem, but I'm going to work with them and see.
The Open Auditions National Anthem singers is one of my favorite things that you guys
do.
Certainly, isn't just our team here in the Northwoods League.
There's a lot of Northwoods League teams to do this, but this is something that I feel
like we highlight because in this area, we've got so many naturally gifted singers and
people that are willing to do this.
And I think it is one of the bravest things a person can do going out there and singing
the national anthem.
It feels like one of those things where only on a local level does it really get its
do.
Where the crowd can really like, has a chance to thank these great people, these people
to do this and take the time and sing in front of us and sing our wonderful national anthem.
You've got auditions coming up Friday, May 9th from 4 to 7 right at Winterfield.
Anything people should keep in mind before doing this or attending this?
Honestly, what we're looking for is just some good voices singing the national anthem,
but like you said, this is such a tough thing to stand up there because the loneliness
feeling in the world is being behind a microphone in front of a crowd.
But more than anything, we're just looking for people like similar to our jobs, open interviews.
We just want some great people that are looking to have fun and we're not looking for top
tier talent.
We're not looking, this is an American idol and we're not giving out Grammys afterwards.
We just want to make sure that if you want to come out and sing for the rafters, sing
the national anthem, we want to have you out, we want to hear what you got.
So I've had the chance to throw out the first pitch for the rafters once and that was
exciting and I went out there and felt pretty, you know, a little bit of the eyes on you
and stuff.
But also I got the catcher out there.
I got, you know, the other kids that were getting ready to throw after me and everything
just didn't feel like that alone out there on the pitch.
But thinking the idea of these singers and just the idea of it and everything, I really
do admire people that can do this.
I encourage everybody to come down, audition, find out if you can get there.
Oh, we got a lot of home games.
So a lot of opportunities for the national anthem singers.
Again, this will be going on Friday, May 9th from 4 to 7 right at Winterfield.
And let's talk a little tickets, Jake.
Single game tickets are on sale along with packages right now.
Yep.
We're getting right into crunch time, less than 30 days until it's almost opener.
It's crazy to think because it feels like yesterday that there was snow all over the
ground.
And we were at freezing temperatures still a little cold outside, but you know, we're
getting into summer.
That's the fun part.
We're going to see the sun coming out.
We're excited to have baseball back, but obviously tickets are on sale now.
We got the ticket office open at Winterfield now too.
And we've had a bunch of nice people stop by to pick up their tickets, check in, see all
the rafters are doing getting ready for the season.
But we more than anything, we're encouraging you to come out this summer because this
era of rafters baseball is going to be a fun one.
And that's what we've been preaching all off season is we're bringing in this new attitude
of we're going to win games and we're going to play hard on the field, but we're also
going to give you one of the best shows in all nine innings.
At this point in talking about how close we are to the season and everything, how is
the roster look?
Is it pretty set?
Or are there still some moving pieces there?
There's a couple of moving pieces that are coming in.
We had a couple injuries that we lost some guys, which that's the nature of the beast
baseball always runs with injuries, but we're getting some good talent in our first half
and second half guys are starting to fill in and we're looking like a young and hungry
team.
And that was what our head coach Ziggy, who we're hoping to get on the programming shortly.
He has been pushing from the beginning that young and hungry is going to win a championship.
So we're going to push and have a young and hungry roster.
Really looking forward to getting to meet coach and cannot wait to see this team on the
diamond.
Very excited.
You can see them as well.
Make plans to get your single game tickets or featured packages at northwoodslee.com.
Get over there.
Find the rafters and so not only log into their page and sign up for the newsletter or
sign up if you want from both the text line is also but find out.
Take a look at that promotional schedule.
I want to shout Jake and his team out because you guys went so wild and fun with this one.
The rafters have always done a really good job with these.
When you bring in new blood, there's this this energy that comes with it that is so much
fun.
And we're just I mean just even looking at these I cannot wait to get these dates.
There's going to be a lot of great ones will be talking more and more about them as we
closer to them.
You can find them right now again at northwoodslee.com slash Wisconsin rapids rafters.
Be sure to bookmark that page and keep up the date and all the good things that they're
doing over there.
Jake, anything else you wanted to cover before you let you go?
Honestly, the one thing I want to say just to everyone is I've been in Wisconsin rapids
for a very little time so far less than a year.
But I'm excited to see what this town will bring to Winterfield this summer because there's
a palpable energy in the air about the rafter season.
There's people stopping by talking to us about how they've been here from the start.
And we're insanely grateful for all of you out there that are coming back to us year
after year supporting the rafters.
And we're going to give you a good season this year and I can promise that.
You know for a long time rafter rafters heads like us myself and many of the people out
here have been here since the beginning saw the net and the championship season.
A lot of that.
We feel like we've earned our rafters, you know, colors and everything.
We got a whole new staff over there.
We got to show you guys that all over again today, we feel about this team.
So get your tickets.
Let's get to the ballpark again May 26th is opening day.
Get your ores ready.
Everybody caught one of those ores, man.
I want one of those ores.
We'll be talking with Jake about a lot all summer long looking forward to having you,
Gwen, coach and some of the players.
It's going to be a fun summer, man.
Absolutely.
We're looking forward to it.
Jake, if people have follow up questions that they'd like to reach out to you specifically,
how can they do that?
You can reach me in my email, AGM, assistant GM, AGM at raftersbaseball.com or like I said,
we've got the ticket office open at Witterfield.
Stop on by.
I would love to talk rafters baseball with you.
Thanks for being here, man.
We'll talk again real soon.
Thanks for having me.
Always a pleasure.
We'll have more rapids report for you as well, streaming a lot exclusively right here
at WFHR.com.
