GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Joannes Stadium may be nearly a century old, but it now features brand-new batting cages.
“Did not have cages on-site or off-site, so a lot of our work was done on the field. Having the cages here now, that’ll free us up to utilize the field to do other aspects of what needs to be practiced on. Infield, outfield, that type of thing,” said Ken Leo, team president for the Green Bay Blue Ribbons.
The new cages cost around $35,000. The Blue Ribbons, Preble Baseball Booster Club, local businesses and the city of Green Bay came together to bring the project to life.
“Our park staff constructed the batting cages, but really, all the funding came from those outside sources and from the Blue Ribbons,” said Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich.
“The community came through in a big way, and it helped us out with the funding of this,” added Leo.
Joannes Stadium is located in Joannes Park on Green Bay’s east side. It serves as the home for the Green Bay East and Preble High School baseball teams and the Green Bay Blue Ribbons. The cages will not be accessible to the community — only to those three teams.
The Blue Ribbons play in the Wisconsin State League. The team is made up of college-aged players looking to compete in the summer months.
“We were one of the few [teams] that did not have it on facility,” said Leo.
Just moments after the red ribbon was cut, the batting cages were already being put to use. Genrich even stepped in to take a few swings.
“I think what we’re looking for is facilities that do justice to the players that are playing down here and everything, so it’s just great to be able to make that upgrade, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the private support,” said Genrich.
A project that started in February 2025 is now complete. The Blue Ribbons opened their season at home on Saturday.
Comments