GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers will take the field in May for the first time since 2019 — and plans call for fans to be in attendance.
Opening night at Fox Cities Stadium is set for 6:35 p.m. May 4, with the Rattlers hosting the Beloit Snappers. All fans in attendance will receive a bobblehead doll of former Timber Rattler and current Milwaukee Brewer Keston Hiura.
This season will have a different feel, and not just because the Rattlers will be playing in a new league, the High-A Central League. Schedules and ballpark seating are impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Seating will be limited to 25% capacity, with at least six feet between fans from different households. All fans ages 2 and older will be required to wear a face mask at all times except when actively eating or drinking at their ticketed seat. There will be a 12-foot buffer zone around both dugouts.
This year’s schedule will consist of 120 games instead of the usual 140. There will be no games on Mondays across the entire league. No all-star game or playoffs will be held in 2021. Schedules could change as a result of COVID-19 cases on teams, and the Timber Rattlers say they will communicate those changes as quickly as possible.
The Timber Rattlers’ home schedule includes series against South Bend, the Chicago Cubs’ affiliate, from July 20-25 and series against Peoria, the St. Louis Cardinals’ affiliate, from June 1-6 and June 22-27.
The season ends Sept. 12 with a home game against Cedar Rapids.
The Timber Rattlers organization says the only way to guarantee tickets to games in May is to order a ticket package or join the T-Rats Ten program. Tickets are available online and by phone at (920) 733-4152.
