A brief history of Witter Field
- 1870’s- Alexander Woodson creates a horse racing track on the future site of Witter Field
- 1876- The land is sold to the city of Grand Rapids (now Wisconsin Rapids)
- 1902- Lincoln high school is built on the land, and becomes known as Lincoln Athletic Field.
- 1934- First game played on the field was the Chicago Fireman team vs. a local team
- 1940- Field name is changed to “Witter Field” to honor Isaac Witter.
- 1940-1942- Chicago White Sox start an affiliate team known as the Wisconsin Rapids White Sox.
- 1946- Lincoln High School beings playing here
- 1953- The White Sox leave Wisconsin Rapids
- 1964- Minnesota Twins establish affiliate team, The Wisconsin Rapids Twins.
- 1971- American Legion program is introduced, along with the Wisconsin Rapids Rangers
- 1980- American Legion Introduces the junior varsity team, the Wisconsin Rapids Ramblers
- 1983- Minnesota Twins leave Wisconsin Rapids
- 1988 and 1995- Rangers become Wisconsin AAA state champions
- 2005-2008- WIAC state baseball tournament is hosted
- 2010- Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are introduced
- March 2010- Crews install 234 seats from County Stadium
- 2010-Present- Rafters and both legion teams continue to play at Witter Field
Legion Baseball Fun Facts
- About 55% of professional baseball players and competed in the American Legion Baseball Program including Robin Yount, Reggie Jackson, Paul Molitor, and Rollie Fingers.
- National American Legion Baseball has a $5000.00 scholarship.
- Wisconsin American Legion Baseball was established on July 17th, 1953
- Over 95,000 players participated in American Legion Baseball in 2001.
- American Legion is the oldest and largest nation-wide baseball program and has had over 8 million players since 1926.
- Only baseball program to fund 100% of the meals, hotels, transportation, and umpires for the players.
- The first baseball program to offer a national tournament for teenage players
- There are over 5400 teams in all 50 states.
- 60% of all college players are graduates of the legion baseball program.
- More than 60 program graduates are in the MLB Hall of Fame
For more information, visit www.legion.org/baseball