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Kenosha Kingfish

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Kenosha Kingfish
Information
LeagueNorthwoods League (Great Lakes East 2019-pres)
(South Division 2013–2018)
LocationKenosha, Wisconsin
BallparkSimmons Field
Founded2013
League championships1 (2015)
Division championships1 (2015)
ColorsLake Michigan Blue, Vintage Cream, King's Gold, Cardinal Red
       
OwnershipBill Fanning, Mike Zoellner
ManagementGeneral Manager: Jake McGhee (2013–2016),[1] Rich Marks (2016) Zac Pallissard (2017–2018) Scott Preimesberger (2018-2019) Doug Gole (2019-2020) Ryne Goralski (2020-Present)
ManagerJ.T. Scara
MediaPlay-By-Play Broadcaster: Jacob Siciliano Newspaper: Kenosha News
WebsiteOfficial website

The Kenosha Kingfish are a baseball team that plays in the collegiate summer Northwoods League. Based in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the Kingfish play their home games at Simmons Field.

History

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Kenosha has been the home of multiple minor league baseball teams (Kenosha Twins, Kenosha Mammoths, Kenosha Kroakers) prior to the establishment of the Kingfish franchise in 2013. Fans submitted suggestions for the team's name, and the winning suggestion of 'Kingfish' was revealed at the team's launch party on November 23, 2013.[2]

Season summarys

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2014 (Inaugural Season)

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The Kingfish opened the 2014 season on the road, and played their first home series at the newly renovated Simmons Field on the weekend of May 31 and June 1. They finished the 2014 season with a 41–30 record in the Northwoods League South Division, narrowly missing the playoffs by half a game.[3]

2015

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The Kingfish finished 2015 with a regular season record of 48–24.[4] After beating the La Crosse Loggers 7–2 in Game 1 of the Divisional Playoffs[5] and the Madison Mallards 2–1 in a close Game 2,[6] the Kingfish defeated the St. Cloud Rox, in 2 games, to win their first Northwoods League Summer Collegiate World Series.[7]

2016 (All Star Weekend)

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The Kingfish sat at the bottom of their division for most of the season, finishing 26–46 and 9th (out of 9) in the South Division.[8][9] The Kingfish also held the 2016 NWL All Star Game with the home run derby being on the Kenosha Harbor, leading to Lake Michigan.[10] 2016 was also the Kingfish's highest attendance in a season.

2017

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Kenosha started the year as one of the best teams in the Northwoods League South Division accumulating a 28–17 record. But an 8–19 finish to the year had Kenosha with a 36–36 record by the end of the season. They were eliminated from playoff contention following game #71.

2018

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The Kingfish finished 2018 with a regular season record of 41–31.[11] They made the postseason for the second time in team history, thanks to a 28–10 second half record. However, they were eliminated in Game 1 of the Divisional Playoffs by the Kalamazoo Growlers.[12]

2020 (Battle of Kenosha)

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Since the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the Northwoods League, the Kingfish played 26 games, all at Simmons Field, against the K-Town Bobbers and won the “Battle of Kenosha” trophy.[13]

2023 (10 Seasons)

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This season was the Kingfish's 10th season in the Northwoods League and the first year the Northwoods League started using MLB's pitch clock rule, to speed up the pace of the game.[14] Kenosha started the year accumulating a 17–16 record. But a 14–25 finish to the year had Kenosha with a 31–41 record by the end of the season. They were eliminated from playoff contention following game #71.

2024

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Simmons Field got a massive renovation, adding a turf playing surface, and a new scoreboard.[15] The Kingfish started the first half of the season with a 16–20 record, second to last in the division. But a 15–21 finish to the year had Kenosha with a 31–41 record by the end of the season. They were eliminated from playoff contention.

Alternate Identities

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The Kingfish have adopted numerous Identities over the years. Here are the ones they used.

Kenosha Kickers

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The Kingfish hosted a Home Alone night, which they rebranded to the Kenosha Kickers, a scene from the movie, that included a jersey auction after the game.[16]

Kenosha Twins

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Main article: Kenosha Twins

The Kenosha Twins were a Minor League Baseball team that played in Kenosha, from 1984 to 1992. They began playing in the Midwest League in 1984. The team played their home games at Simmons Field. The Twins won two championships, in 1985 and 1987, and were Northern Division champions for the first half of the 1988 season. In 2024, the Kingfish honored the 40th anniversary of the team moving to Kenosha with a jersey auction at the end of the game.

Kenosha Comets

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Main article: Kenosha Comets

The Kenosha Comets were a women's professional baseball team that played from 1943 through 1951 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. They played their home games at Simmons Field. In 2023, they rebranded as the Comets wearing green jerseys with a white K in the middle and in the hats, a white K, for Kenosha.

Mascot

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King Elvis the First, an orange fish, is the mascot of the Kingfish. Before home games, he rides an ATV from the left field foul pole. He used to ride a zipline down the left field foul pole to deliver the ball for the first pitch.[17] In 2022, Green Bay Packers player A. J. Dillon went viral for doing an oklahoma drill, knocking out Elvis’ head.[18]

Kingfish in the Pros

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Name Highest Level Team Professional Organization Years with Kingfish
Will Wagner Toronto Blue Jays Toronto Blue Jays (MLB) 2018
Rico Garcia San Francisco Giants San Francisco Giants (MLB) 2014–2015
Danny Young Seattle Mariners Seattle Mariners (MLB) 2014
Alex Dunlap Rochester Red Wings Washington Nationals (AAA) 2014–2015
Eric Filia Tacoma Rainiers Seattle Mariners (AAA) 2015
Nick Sergakis Las Vegas 51s New York Mets (AAA) 2015
Rigo Beltran Tacoma Rainiers Seattle Mariners (AAA) 2016
Buddy Reed Las Vegas Aviators Oakland Athletics (AAA) 2014
Shea Murray Indianapolis Indians Pittsburgh Pirates (AAA) 2015
Alex Manasa Indianapolis Indians Pittsburgh Pirates (AAA) 2017
Marty Bechina Las Vegas Aviators Oakland Athletics (AAA) 2016 & 2018
Steven Klimek Wichita Wind Surge Minnesota Twins (AA) 2014
T. J. Nichting Bowie Baysox Baltimore Orioles (AA) 2015
Logan Sendelbach Altoona Curve Pittsburgh Pirates (AA) 2015
Dylan Rosa Erie SeaWolves Detroit Tigers (AA) 2016
Jeremy Vasquez Binghamton Rumble Ponies New York Mets (AA) 2015
Reid Anderson Somerset Patriots New York Yankees (AA) 2016
Matt Hearn Hartford Yard Goats Colorado Rockies (AA) 2016
Matt Kroon Reading Fightin' Phils Philadelphia Phillies (AA) 2017
Michael Costanzo Montgomery Biscuits Tampa Bay Rays (AA) 2017
Denson Hull Amarillo Sod Poodles Arizona Diamondbacks (AA) 2018
Steven Sensley Hudson Valley Renegades New York Yankees (high-A) 2014–2015
Pat Porter Buies Creek Astros Houston Astros (high-A) 2014
C. J. Saylor Palm Beach Cardinals St. Louis Cardinals (high-A) 2014
Jack Sundberg Potomac Nationals Washington Nationals (High-A) 2015
Rob Henry Carolina Mudcats Milwaukee Brewers (High-A) 2016
Mike Jarvis Greensboro Grasshoppers Pittsburgh Pirates (High-A) 2019
Korby Batesole Greenville Drive Boston Red Sox (High-A) 2017
Grayson Byrd South Bend Cubs Chicago Cubs (High-A) 2015
Davis Schwab Rome Braves Atlanta Braves (High-A) 2017
Jacob DeLabio Fayetteville Woodpeckers Houston Astros (High A) 2019
Gabe Bierman Jupiter Hammerheads Miami Marlins (High-A) 2019
Derek Heffel Hickory Crawdads Texas Rangers (low-A) 2016
Tim Millard Burlington Bees Los Angeles Angels (low-A) 2017
Chris Godinez Charleston RiverDogs New York Yankees (low-A) 2014
Jack Yalowitz Fresno Grizzlies Colorado Rockies (low-A) 2017–2018
Ben Troike Charleston RiverDogs Tampa Bay Rays (low-A) 2017–2018
Jesse Wilkening Williamsport Crosscutters Philadelphia Phillies (A Short-Season) 2017
Micah Coffey Great Falls Voyagers Chicago White Sox (rookie) 2015–2016
Brody Westmoreland Greeneville Astros Houston Astros (rookie) 2016
Mikey Filia Burlington Royals Kansas City Royals (rookie) 2019
J. D. Nielsen Arizona League Angels Los Angeles Angels (rookie) 2014–2015

Yearly Attendance

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Year Attendance
2014 72,838[19]
2015 82,019[20]
2016 87,991[21]
2017 86,291[22]
2018 84,482[23]
2019 83,176[24]
2020 8,255[25]
2021 67,529[26]
2022 73,946[27]
2023 82,350[28]
2024 85,153[29]

References

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  1. ^ "Kingfish official to head Boys and Girls Club | News". kenoshanews.com. 2016-03-02. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  2. ^ "Hello, My Name is Kingfish…Kenosha Kingfish | Northwoods League". Archived from the original on 2013-11-29. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
  3. ^ "Northwoods 2014 – Standings". Northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  4. ^ "Northwoods 2015 – Standings". northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com. Retrieved 2015-10-16.
  5. ^ "Kingfish Dispatch Loggers in Game 1 – Kenosha Kingfish : Kenosha Kingfish". Northwoodsleague.com. 2015-08-11. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  6. ^ "Brodner Delivers Walk-Off Hit; Kingfish Move on to Summer Collegiate World Series – Kenosha Kingfish : Kenosha Kingfish". Northwoodsleague.com. 2015-08-12. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  7. ^ "Kingfish Win Northwoods League Summer Collegiate World Series – Kenosha Kingfish : Kenosha Kingfish". Northwoodsleague.com. 2015-08-15. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  8. ^ "Kingfish Fall to Woodchucks in Season Finale – Kenosha Kingfish : Kenosha Kingfish". Northwoodsleague.com. 2016-08-15. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  9. ^ "Northwoods 2016 – Standings". Northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  10. ^ "Bechina Captures Home Run Derby at the Harbor Title". Kenosha Kingfish. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  11. ^ "Home - Northwoods League". Retrieved 2023-08-20.
  12. ^ admin-kenosha (2018-08-14). "Kingfish Season Ends in Playoffs". Kenosha Kingfish. Retrieved 2023-08-20.
  13. ^ admin-kenosha (2020-06-30). "K-Town Bobbers Aim to Catch Simmons Field Faithful in 2020". Kenosha Kingfish. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  14. ^ admin-kenosha (2023-05-22). "Kingfish Introduce Improvements for 2023 Season". Kenosha Kingfish. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  15. ^ "Kingfish announce new scoreboard among further renovations to Historic Simmons Field". Kenosha Kingfish. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  16. ^ "Kenosha Kingfish to play as Kenosha Kickers on Home Alone Night". 2024-03-25.
  17. ^ "Things To Do in Kenosha – Kenosha Kingfish Baseball". Visit Kenosha. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  18. ^ "Mascot speaks out after being trucked by AJ Dillon: 'Did not have it at all'". NY Post. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  19. ^ "Northwoods 2014 – Attendance". Northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  20. ^ "Northwoods 2015 – Attendance". Northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  21. ^ "Northwoods 2016 – Attendance". Northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  22. ^ "Northwoods 2017 – Attendance". Northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
  23. ^ "Northwoods League – attendance". Pointstreak Sports Technologies. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  24. ^ Reichard, Kevin (2019-08-12). "2019 Summer Collegiate Attendance by Total". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  25. ^ "Attendance". Northwoods League. Retrieved 2023-08-20.
  26. ^ Reichard, Kevin (2021-08-23). "2021 summer collegiate attendance by average - Ballpark Digest". Retrieved 2023-08-20.
  27. ^ Reichard, Kevin (2022-08-15). "2022 summer collegiate attendance by total - Ballpark Digest". Retrieved 2023-08-20.
  28. ^ Reichard, Kevin (2023-09-05). "2023 summer collegiate attendance by total - Ballpark Digest". Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  29. ^ Reichard, Kevin (2024-10-28). "2024 summer collegiate attendance by total - Ballpark Digest". Retrieved 2024-10-28.
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