June 23, 2026
Neuroscience Group Field (Capacity: 4,850)
Grand Chute, WI
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers vs Cedar Rapids Kernels
Final Score: 5 – 0
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Our tour of Wisconsin during a summer vacation brought us up for a day visit to the east-central part of the state and the Fox Valley. The river going by the same name connects Green Bay with Lake Winnebago and the 19 interconnected communities along the Fox River at the north end of the Lake are known as the Fox Cities. The anchor is Appleton, a city of 75,000 built on the Paper Industry and associated mills along the river. It also was the first city to generate electricity via water power thanks to a hydroelectric station built in the 1880s. The ballpark is in a different part of the Fox Cities though as it lies in Grand Chute, a town of 23,000 to the west that acts as a suburb to Appleton. Fox Cities Stadium opened in 1995, however the team has been around way longer than that. In fact, only the Quad Cities have been members of the Midwest League for more time. Since their debut as the Foxes in 1962, the franchise has won this league 9 times. They came close in 2024, losing the deciding Game 3 of the championship series in what still was a successful season (first playoff appearance in 7 years). A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers game is enjoyable with the food and beer being a highlight, along with impressive side activities for kids.
Prestige Ranking: 2.5 out of 5
Location
To get acquainted with the area, we took the Fox Trot Trail in Appleton. This 2 mile self-guided walk led us to 16 points of interest, starting on College Ave in the heart of downtown. It’s a pleasant city and there’s a nice assortment of restaurants and shops here. At the center is Houdini Plaza, named after the famous magician, who spent his boyhood years in Appleton. The Fox River is south of downtown and features a mix of hydroelectric plants, locks for navigation and converted paper mill buildings. Attraction-wise, the Hearthstone Historic House wasn’t open when we were in town and the Building for Kids was geared towards those a little younger than our 11 and 7 year olds. We did go to the History Museum at the Castle, which was small, but had some Houdini stuff. About 15 minutes to the northwest is where you’ll find the ballpark in Grand Chute. Here on the other side of I-41, the ballpark is at the end of multiple industrial parks with the expansive Fox River Mall preceding that a mile to the south.
Location Ranking: 5 out of 10
Accessibility / Parking
The Fox Cities are a few hours from Milwaukee and you can take I-41 to reach the area. Coming from the west will require a longer look at the road network for what to use. The ballpark’s location just off I-41 means that only a couple roads are needed to reach the stadium parking lots. It was a little more cumbersome to enter than it should be as two lanes waited to pay a toll before entering and no one saw a third open lane. Once inside the complex, attendants direct you to a spot. The expansive lots are good for a Wisconsin tradition of tailgating at baseball games, which you’ll see here when conditions are right. Getting out after the game was painless.
Accessibility / Parking Ranking: 7.5 out of 8
Exterior
The gently rounded exterior of the ballpark features a relatively low outer wall made up of speckled beige brick. The middle entrance is cut open and underneath a triangular burgundy roof. The ballpark sign is prominently underneath and it’s too bad they have to highlight the sponsor of the field more than the better named “Fox Cities Stadium”. A team logo is in this area too.
Exterior Ranking: 6 out of 10
Concourse
That enclosed entranceway is festive as it is decorated nicely and includes the team store plus some giveaway tables. This is really the only spot where you are tight on space as the rest of the ballpark opens up nicely. While you can’t see the field initially, beyond home plate on each side the concourse becomes the traditional look with the interior of the stadium visible. Fox Cities Stadium was one of the first to achieve this design. Signage within this covered area is good, and that helps an otherwise generic look of tan brick, overhead sloped siding and brick columns. Beyond the infield concourse is really good as right field is the beginning of some impressive stuff for kids. The spacious and varied Kids Zone features a sandbox, playground and miscellaneous inflatables. The walkway then extends all the way around the outfield and the planks lead to multiple other viewing sections. The end of these walkways in the left field corner brings you to the final kids activity: a twisty three-story slide. It’s also a great homage to Bernie Brewer’s slide in Milwaukee. Continuing onward, there is a wiffleball field that remained quite active throughout. Not far away is an adult play area as this open bar contained seating rails to watch the game and ping-pong / other bar games close to where you refuel. Tucked into the main concourse, there’s also an inside bar (Leinie Lodge), but I don’t know why you would want to hang out in there at a baseball game, unless there’s a rain delay.
Concourse Ranking: 4.5 out of 5
Food
We had dinner in the ballpark and I made a few rounds to make a decision as I was torn given the number of choices. Ultimately, I went with the Gyro and that was the right move as it was filling and tasty. Other things that caught my eye were: Carnitas Torta, Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich, Mac & Cheese Helmets and the Bacon Station. Really good selection here and different at every stand, plus they didn’t forget about items ubiquitous with Wisconsin: Fried Cheese Curds and Brats. The ice cream was local (Cedar Crest) and the beer was too, abundantly so. My goodness were there options from all over! If there’s one to try, it’s gotta be the one made specially for the team. Udder Tuggers Cream Ale highlights the alternate identity of the Timber Rattlers and Badger State Brewing nails this beer. Specialty Mocktails and Cocktails were also a tempting offer. On the sweet side, try “The Jackson Churros”, an Oreo churro in a glove with raspberry sauce. Awesome all around.
Food Ranking: 8 out of 8
Interior
The seating bowl is a standard one, which goes around the infield and up by about 20 rows. Lowering the quality is the fact that the top half is meal bleacher seating (with backs). The first 8 rows are burgundy chairbacks. Oddly, patio tables make up the third to last section on each side and I don’t know why they just didn’t put those at the ends. Luxury seating is clustered right around home plate as “Diamond Seats” are below the Press Box, while above that is the club and suite level. This doesn’t extend down the line like in other stadiums. Grassy berms for seating bookend the main bowl and then outfield viewing sections have some variety. They’ve built this area up through the years and it is certainly better than the previous outfield advertising boards only.
Interior Ranking: 7.5 out of 14
Scoreboard
The scoreboard in left field features a simple and adequate set-up during game. It’s a clean presentation and the entirely video screen is clear enough. Ads are placed on the left and they don’t show any game footage. I do like how there is a corner digital board, making it easier for the third base side to follow standard information.
Scoreboard Ranking: 3 out of 4
Displays
The stadium dedication plaque has more beef to it than usual and it’s a good read as to reaching the arrival of Fox Cities Stadium. The new place was certainly needed, but it’s also a lesson in ‘some things never change’ as 32 years ago…it’s the conundrum of public funds for private owners but with civic entertainment and pride. Further inside, team displays are sparse as they just include a list of Timber Rattler MLBers and some small pennants for championships beyond the outfield fence.
Displays Ranking: 1.5 out of 6
Cost
Ticket prices are similar, if not a few bucks cheaper compared to other Midwest League teams as they run $16 – $19. Having a $12 lawn seat option is nice too. Concessions have some value to be found, like the bigger items. Plus a small size being considered a 16oz is a nice deal. There was some nickel and diming though with the $8 parking charge (within a massively open area) and $7 for Kids Zone wristbands.
Cost Ranking: 7 out of 8
Fan Support
Coming on a Tuesday Night isn’t helpful for gauging Fan Support as the cool, early summer game brought a crowd of less than 1,000. Wisconsin is often 7th out of 12 in terms of Midwest League attendance rankings. On the positive side, the Timber Rattlers drew an impressive 4,305 two-game average the last time they were in the playoffs (2024).
Fan Support Ranking: 4.5 out of 8
Atmosphere
The small crowd kept things tempered as fans cheered in a slightly muted manner, which was understandable. Whenever a visiting strikeout was recorded, a Timber (snake) Rattler played over the sound system. Fan dress in the crowd was a mix of Brewers, Timber Rattlers and Udder Tuggers, their alternate identify. I didn’t get to see tailgating on this Tuesday, but there are times when the parking lot is filled with football-game like vibes. Something you will see each game is the “Bratzooka”..a t-shirt cannon like contraption that fires wrapped Brats into the crowd. Totally Wisconsin.
Atmosphere Ranking: 7.5 out of 14
Other Stuff
Being an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers is certainly an advantage for the Timber Rattlers and the team makes it known throughout the ballpark. There are logos and signage including one on the façade behind home plate that bluntly says “Brewers High-A Affiliate”…..When the team moved into the then new ballpark in the mid 90s, they also went with a name change. The Appleton Foxes switched to Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Foxes was such a good appropriate nickname, especially given that the Timber Rattlers name was voted on by schools and is reference to a snake not even native to the area. The “Wisconsin” part is due to the fact that the team no longer was in nearby Appleton.
Game
Pitchers controlled this whole game with one important exception. The Bottom of 4th inning belonged to the Timber Rattlers as all nine batters came to the plate and 5 singles led to 5 runs. Braylon Owens got the win as he had 8 strikeouts in 5 innings.
Stadium and Arena Visits 
