APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The sale of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and Fond du Lac Dock Spiders to Third Base Ventures, LLC was spurred on by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to club president and now minority owner Rob Zerjav.
“We were hoping that, if we were able to play a season in June, that we could make it through,” Zerjav said. “We didn’t have a season this year, and with losing 90% of the revenue…the memberships just couldn’t cover that.”
The entire Minor League Baseball season was cancelled this year due to the pandemic. Board Chair Tom Lehr said the situation was unfortunate given Appleton Baseball Club’s 90+ year history as a non-profit entity.
“I never expected as board chair to take a team that was community owned…and turning it in to private ownership,” said Lehr.
Nevertheless–that’s exactly what the coronavirus hath wrought. Appleton Baseball Club has been non-profit and independent since 1939.
The sale is expected to close as early as Jan. 1.
