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Lake Country DockHounds

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Lake Country DockHounds
Information
LeagueAmerican Association of Professional Baseball (East Division)
LocationOconomowoc, Wisconsin
BallparkWisconsin Brewing Company Park
Founded2021
ColorsRoyal blue, sky blue, white
     
MascotLouie B. Sluggin
OwnershipBlue Ribbon Baseball LLC
General managerTrish Rasberry
ManagerKen Huckaby
MediaAA Baseball TV
Websitewww.lakecountrybaseball.com

The Lake Country DockHounds are a professional baseball team that is based in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. The DockHounds currently play in the American Association of Professional Baseball, an official Partner League of Major League Baseball.[1] Lake Country played their first season in 2022, as they became the first professional sports team in Waukesha County.

History

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After years of research and developmental ideas, on March 3, 2020, Blue Ribbon Baseball, LLC finally received approval from the City of Oconomowoc. The DockHounds were granted permission to build a stadium and training facility in the Pabst Farms development.[2] Prior to its access, the DockHounds proposed two different Waukesha County locations in Pewaukee, Wisconsin and Waukesha, Wisconsin. The Pewaukee proposal[3] was opposed and later scrapped as the Waukesha location didn't produce enough funding,[4] thus the DockHounds settled on Oconomowoc.

The DockHounds were originally set to join the Northwoods League in 2021. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the construction of their stadium and their inaugural season was postponed.[5] The delay gave the team time to research their options for leagues to join.[6] The DockHounds later joined the American Association after the league saw the departure of the St. Paul Saints to join Minor League Baseball and become the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.[7] The league also saw the folding of the Texas AirHogs. After the Kane County Cougars joined the league, the association sought a permanent 12th member. The Blue Ribbon Baseball, LLC was awarded the final spot in the league on May 17, 2021.[8]

The DockHounds' name was unveiled on June 10, 2021 as the result of a name-the-team contest that netted over 2,700 entries. Other finalists included the Kraken, Bobbers, Hoppers and Paddlers.[9] The name references the prevalence of dogs on docks and boats during the summer in the region.

Ownership

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The DockHounds are owned by Tom and Lisa Kelenic (parents of MLB outfielder Jarred Kelenic). The DockHounds management team also includes Sonny Bando (son of Sal Bando, a former general Manager of the Milwaukee Brewers and MLB All-star), general manager Trish Rasberry, director of marketing Bryan Giese, and director of sales and Justin Hunt.[10]

Wisconsin Brewing Company Park, the home of the Lake Country DockHounds.

Stadium

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Partnering with the Wisconsin Brewing Company, a craft brewing company based in Verona, Wisconsin, ground was broken for the DockHounds' home stadium June 29, 2021. The facility's name, Wisconsin Brewing Company Park, and the team's logo were also unveiled.[11]

Past Seasons

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On August 10, 2021, The DockHounds announced Jim Bennett as their manager, Dave Nilsson as bench/hitting coach, and Paul Wagner as their pitching coach.[12]

On May 13, 2022, the DockHounds began their inaugural season on the road in Franklin, Wisconsin, against the Milwaukee Milkmen. The DockHounds took an 8-4 loss before they secured their first organizational win two days later. [13] The franchise then opened Wisconsin Brewing Company Park to a sold out crowd of 3,999, on May 20, 2022, with an 8–5 win over the Winnipeg Goldeyes.[14]

The DockHounds began the 2023 season with Jim Bennett at the helm, however after a 2-6 start to the season, the team parted ways with Bennett.[15] Ken Huckaby was selected to replace Bennett as manager, and retained only the pitching coach, Paul Wagner, from the old staff.[16] The DockHounds finished its inaugural season in a tie with the Cleburne Railroaders for the last playoff spot. However, the DockHounds missed the playoffs due to several tiebreakers that yielded toward the Railroaders. The DockHounds made the 2024 playoffs in their third season only to lose in two games to the Kane County Cougars.[17]

During the 2024 season, the DockHounds showed their organization was about more than just baseball, rather helping a community. The DockHounds helped save a man after falling from his bicycle. Three members of the organization Demetrius Sims, Dominic Stearn and Marek Chlup helped save the man's life.[18]

Rebrand

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The DockHounds introduced a weekend-themed rebranding to commemorate the movie "The Wizard of Oz." The DockHounds rebranded to the "Flying Monkeys" for the June 14-16 home series against the Railroaders.[19] The Flying Monkeys weekend offered special team memorabilia, special jerseys and stadium theming.

Mascot

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The DockHounds mascot is Louie B. Sluggin, an anthropomorphic retriever who wears a blue pinstriped uniform with the number 5, and a bucket hat. The number 5 represents the number of times the letter o  appears in Oconomowoc.[20]

Season-by-season record

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Lake Country DockHounds season records
Season League Division Regular Season Postseason Manager Ref
Record Win % League GB Record Win% Result
2022 American Association East 36–64 .360 AA 18.0 - - - Jim Bennett
2023 American Association East 46-54 .460 AA 10.0 - - - Jim Bennett (3-6)
Ken Huckaby (43-48)
2024 American Association East 53-47 .530 AA 7.0 0-2 .000 Lost East Division series 2–0 Vs Kane County Cougars Ken Huckaby

Roster

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Lake Country DockHounds roster
Active roster Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 0 Logan Berrier
  • 6 Eric Torres
  •  8 JT Moeller
  • 9 Kelvan Pilot
  • 15 Brett Conine
  • 16 Shelby Lackey
  • 17 Jace Baumann
  •  18 Beau Philip
  • 19 Kyle Huckaby
  • 21 Jake Cantleberry
  •  22 Connor Fenlong
  • 23 Luke Hansel
  • 24 Chris Jefferson
  • 26 Trey Riley
  • 30 Will Sandy
  • 33 Jacob Nix
  • 34 Robert Gsellman
  • 35 Matt Mullenbach
  • 38 Chase Gockel
  • 56 Jack Washburn



  

Catchers

Infielders

  • 1 Demetrius Sims
  • 2 Nick Northcut
  •  11 Aaron Hill
  • 27 Daunte Stuart
  • 20 Blake Tiberi
  • 29 Robbie Tenerowicz

Outfielders

  •  3 JT Benson
  •  4 Dave Matthews
  • 7 Ray Zuberer III
  • 10 Joe Gray
  • 13 Brian Rey
  • 38 Chavez Young
  

Manager

Coaches

  •    Kaela Johnson (trainer)
  • -- Dave Pano (hitting)
  • -- Paul Wagner (pitching)

Disabled list
‡ Inactive list
§ Suspended list

Roster updated May 2, 2025
 Transactions

Notable alumni

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References

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  1. ^ Reichard, Kevin (September 24, 2020). "American Association, Frontier League now MLB Partner Leagues". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  2. ^ Anderson, Scott (March 3, 2020). "Oconomowoc Baseball Stadium Approved, Construction To Start". Waukesha, WI Patch. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  3. ^ Staff, Brandon Anderegg-Freeman (May 18, 2018). "Officials oppose initial proposal for $65M athletic/residential complex". Greater Milwaukee Today. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  4. ^ "Waukesha Northwoods Ballpark Plan Strikes Out". Waukesha, WI Patch. February 28, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  5. ^ Molloy, Dan (March 10, 2020). "Oconomowoc approves plans for new ballpark". Spectrum News. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  6. ^ Mehlberg, Rusty (May 17, 2021). "Professional baseball comes to Oconomowoc. Help name the team!". WTMJ-TV. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  7. ^ Zimmer, Matt (December 9, 2020). "St. Paul Saints to become Minnesota Twins Triple-A affiliate". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  8. ^ Reichard, Kevin (May 17, 2021). "Oconomowoc newest American Association team". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  9. ^ Frank, Evan (June 10, 2021). "After a fan contest, Oconomowoc's new independent professional baseball team has an official name". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  10. ^ "Front Office". Lake Country DockHounds. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  11. ^ Mueller, Matt (June 30, 2021). "New Oconomowoc baseball team reveals logo, stadium name at groundbreaking". OnMilwaukee. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  12. ^ Naczek, Margaret (August 11, 2021). "Lake Country DockHounds hires coaching staff that includes former Milwaukee Brewers". Milwaukee Business Journal. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  13. ^ "Milwaukee Milkmen vs. Lake Country DockHounds - American Association - boxscore". Pointstreak Sports Technologies. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  14. ^ "Lake Country DockHounds vs. Winnipeg Goldeyes - American Association - boxscore". Pointstreak Sports Technologies. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  15. ^ "DockHounds in midst of six-game home series".
  16. ^ Pannier, Robert. "Ken Huckaby Named DockHounds New Manager". Minor League Sports Report.
  17. ^ "Lake Country eliminated: DockHounds shut out in Game 2 of series against Kane County". Gmtoday.com. Waukesha Freeman. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  18. ^ "Trio of DockHounds leap into action to help save man's life before game". MLB.com. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  19. ^ Giese, Bryan (April 5, 2024). "DockHounds Announce New Alternate Team Name". Lake Country DockHounds. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  20. ^ "Louie B. Sluggin". Lake Country DockHounds. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  21. ^ "Demetrius Sims Amateur, College, Minor, Independent, Winter & Mexican Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  22. ^ "Josh Altmann Amateur, Minor, Independent & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
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