It’s finally here! Tomorrow afternoon we kick off the 2024 season as we welcome the Kewaskum A’s to historic Joannes Stadium for a doubleheader starting at 1:00 PM.
RIBBONS READY TO ROLL
A new era of Green Bay Blue Ribbons baseball gets underway on Saturday afternoon, and after a .500 season in 2023, this year’s ballclub believes that they are poised to take the next step and compete for a Championship in 2024.
“I think we’re headed in a great direction,” said team President, Ken Leo. “We have a lot of young guys, but we also have a lot of veterans here who are ready to lead. I truly believe that we’re gonna compete and we’re gonna do really well in the leagues that we’re in. I’m really excited for what we can do, on and off the field.”
As players arrived back at historic Joannes Stadium for the team’s annual Fan Fest last Friday night, the energy level and excitement was through the roof for the upcoming season.
“I’m really looking forward to the group of guys we’ve got here” first baseman James Bornick said. “It’s always fun spending the summer here. I’m really excited. As soon as my spring season turned over and we were done with that, I couldn’t stop thinking about playing for the Blue Ribbons again.”
Left-hander Reece Piontek, who was named the team’s Pitcher of the Year last season, credits the coaching staff and his teammates with helping to bring him back to the ballclub in 2024. “I had a lot of fun last summer” Piontek said. “It’s really fun, growing relationships, having new friends and having fun. It’s awesome.” Landen Lozier, the Ribbons’ Rookie of the Year in 2023, is also looking forward to getting the season started, after enjoying a breakout freshman season at Michigan State. Despite having offers to play in the Northwoods League, the camaraderie with the staff and his teammates helped make returning to Green Bay an easy call.
“This was overall the best fit for me” Lozier said. “Here, I know I would still get good competition, but also be able to do everything I’m trying to do, so it’s the perfect place for me.”
Veteran infielder Griffin Summers is also back again, beginning his seventh season with the organization. “I’m proud to be a part of it” Summers said. “Every year it gets a little more pressure. They (teammates) get younger and I get older. I gotta be more on my “A” game and lead by example” With a mix of that veteran leadership and some really talented newcomers, 2024 is shaping up to be something special in Green Bay.
While the Blue Ribbons players may have individual goals and things they are looking to work on this summer, they are united in one common goal and unanimously have one thing at the center of their mind.
“We’re trying to go for the whole thing here” said Summers. “We wanna be the new team to beat this year. That’s what we’re shooting for.”
They’ll get their chance to start on that road towards a title on Saturday, when they open up with a doubleheader against the Kewaskum A’s. We’re just one more day away, and Piontek wrapped up his media session by channeling his inner Bart Scott, summing up everyone’s feelings for Opening Day in just two words. “Can’t wait!”
RING CHASING
As the Ribbons prepare to start the summer season, several players are still going strong with their spring seasons. At the high school level, both Bay Port (Ethan Plog, Cal Casper and Carter Kallies), and Notre Dame Academy (Brady LaViolette) advanced to Sectionals with victories earlier this week. Notre Dame, who edged out New London in extra innings on a walk-off single by LaViolette, faces #1 seed Mosinee at 10:00 AM in Appleton on Tuesday, June 4th, while Bay Port travels to Kimberly for a 1:00 PM start.
Meanwhile, the D3 College World Series gets underway this weekend, with Eli Frank and the UW-Whitewater Warhawks squaring off against Randolph-Macon at 7:00 PM tonight in Eastlake, Ohio. Frank, who was selected as a Second Team All-American at first base, is coming off a monster junior season, and his team has a legit shot at winning it all, as they enter play as the #3 seed.
PAPLHAM RETURNS TO GRAND CHUTE
Former De Pere Dodgers hurler Cole Paplham is back in the area this week with the Fort Wayne TinCaps, as they are in the middle of a six-game series against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.
Paplham, who is the older brother of current Blue Ribbons pitcher Logan Paplham, appeared in 11 games for the De Pere Dodgers in 2018. He signed a free agent contract with the San Diego Padres in 2022, and shot through their system last season, reaching Double-A. Currently ranked as the #17 prospect in the Padres’ farm system, Paplham pitched in the Arizona Fall League and was selected to San Diego’s Spring Breakout roster in March. Sidelined by injury since late in Spring Training, Paplham joined Fort Wayne on a rehab assignment and pitched a scoreless inning of relief on Wednesday afternoon.
CONGRATS!
The Blue Ribbons would like to congratulate Oconto High School Manager Tom Armstrong, who picked up the 400th win of his high school coaching career last week! Armstrong, who served on the Blue Ribbons Board of Directors in 2021 and early 2022, was inducted into the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2020 while he coached at Chequamegon, and he currently ranks in the top 25 for all-time victories in the state of Wisconsin as a high school baseball coach.
20% OFF SALE
Fans, if you missed out on our recent merchandise sale, don’t fear. We will have a few items available in the concession stand at Joannes Stadium on gamedays, and you can always shop online through our Teespring store. And with Opening Day right around the corner, we’re offering 20% off on our online store from now until June 14th. Just visit our shop via BlueRibbonsBaseball.com or click here and enter promo code OPENINGDAY to receive 20% off of your order.
LOOKING AHEAD
After a pair of off days on Sunday and Monday, the Blue Ribbons return to Joannes Stadium on Tuesday Night to take on the Sheboygan A’s at 7:30 PM for our annual Military Appreciation Night. All members of the military, past and present, will receive free admission for their entire family!
The Blue Ribbons then hit the road for the first time, with games against Greenville on Wednesday and Appleton on Thursday. Please note that Wednesday’s game against Greenville will actually be played at Commercial Club Park in Hortonville, due to recent storm damage that occurred at Greenville’s park.
The following weekend, the Wisconsin State League converges on Sheboygan for the league’s 5th Game Challenge. The Ribbons will play four games in two days, with one game each scheduled against West Allis, Kenosha, Lombard and Addison. It’s a great chance to see all of the top players from the State League gathered in one area.