ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) – After a warp speed construction schedule through the fall, winter, & spring, Capital Credit Union Park in Ashwaubenon opened for the first game of the Northwoods League baseball season Saturday. And it’s more than just a new ballpark, as fans welcomed a new team to root for….the Green Bay Booyah.
It’s Opening Night and the fans are streaming into brand spanking new Capital Credit Union Park…. to cheer on the equally new Green Bay Booyah. The Booyah’s Brian Kuklinski is pumped.
“It’s really exciting over the course of the last year, really 9 months since shovels went into the ground to get this stadium to go.”
He’s been busy getting ticket takers, vendors, promotions crew, and more… ready to handle the crowds…
“Getting all the kinks out of everything getting ready to play ball tonight. It’s been fun, exhilarating, tiring, stressful, but it’s a great relief tonight.”
Ashwaubenon Village president Mary Kardosekee didn’t get the mucky-muck treatment. She waited in line to get in like everyone else….and was cool with that.
“It’s absolutely wonderful. There’s so much excitement here, so much excitement in the community.”
Lots of giveaways, between innings entertainment, special guests. Kuklinski says this ain’t your grandfather’s game day experience.
“We want you to come through here where you’re not even sure what inning it is, what the score is, you’re having so much fun in the park.”
But new stuff or not….it’s still a baseball game. And that’s what has the Booyah players, college kids from around the country, out on the field, going through batting practice, shagging flies, and taking infield drills.
Team manager Tom Carty has been part of Opening Day for decades as a player and coach….and yep, he’s also caught up in the Booyah Hoopla.
“I think there’s definitely a little more juiced when your Opening Day and such a historic event of a new ballpark, a new team.”
He says the team is excited too…
“Playing in front of 3 thousand people. We don’t often do that in college.”
He appreciates the game, the life lessons it teaches, and those he can share…
“I think if they’re choosing to play in the Northwoods League they’re hoping to play professionally. I’m hoping to help guide them through that process.”
It’s a process people like Jeff Maylin understands. The De Pere resident, and his wife Pam, have been playing host to Northwoods League players for years.
He’s always been a baseball fan…but players at this level have those dreams that are fun to be a part off.
“It is yes, and I almost appreciate these guys more because they want to get to the next level and this part of fulfilling their dream.”
Host families, like the Maylins, are a little like surrogate parents to these players. But Mike Ruggero is the real deal.
The retired NYPD Detective wouldn’t miss this season opener. His son Michael is a Booyah rookie, #20, and is thrilled to be here.
“Last year we were in Syracuse, this year we’re in Green Bay. This is a beautiful, beautiful park. So we’re very excited to be there.”
The Booyah will be here through early August.
