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w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m M a y 2 0 15 • I NSIGH T | 27 "We spend most of September taking a look at what worked, what didn't and what we can add," says Hilary Bauer, the team's director of marketing, who can also be seen in between innings playing the role of on-field master of ceremonies, from the top of the T-Rats dugout. Bauer has the task of directing the "bratzooka," character races and many of the other in-game events the team stages each game. e planning efforts included partner promotions for every home game on the schedule, including the ever- popular bobblehead giveaways. One of the new promotions this year will included a "Back to the Future" theme, featuring Appleton Foxes throwback jerseys. "We are always looking for things to get to know our fans better and to get them more involved," Bauer says. "e baseball part may slow down in the off-season, but we still have plenty of things to market." While Bauer is working on extending the team's brand, Community Relations Manager Dayna Baitinger is building the audience of the future. Baitinger orchestrates several of the team's outreach programs, particularly Fang's Reading Club, which enables students from 175 participating schools to earn a free ticket to the game by reading. Participating schools cover a geographic footprint from Escanaba, Mich., to Sheboygan. As the tickets are earned, she also coordinates when the schools will visit the stadium, usually handling three to four schools per night. Baitinger also coordinates player appearances at events throughout the community and has developed several new programs such as Whiffer's Fitness Club with the YMCA and Subway. "We are always looking for new ways to get the community engaged," she says. "We like to have that pressure. We are a community team." at sentiment is one that Wollner is reminded of every time he comes back to the stadium to see the team play. ere is nothing he likes better than seeing the stands full of fans having a good time. He'll even recommend the best seats in the house for you: section 107, row E, seats one and two. e team gave him the original seats aer the renovation. "It's now 20 years later and people are still coming out to the ballpark," Wollner says. "Whenever I drive by, it seems there is always someone there and something up on the scoreboard. It's just great to see." from doctor's groups to the United Way to the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce's Cultivate, which will be held there later this month. It's no coincidence that corporate groups have been a primary target. "It's been a business focus to get key leaders here," says Hillary Basten, the team's manager of banquets and events. "It's important for them to see our growth and what we can do." Weddings have also proven to be a great draw for the new space. With all of the available 2015 dates booked by early March, Basten was already taking bookings for early 2016. Indeed, these are interesting times for Basten, who might be setting up for a meeting of insurance professionals one day, then transforming the space for a wedding the next. "I think people are always surprised by what we are able to do," she says. "We can create a real change of pace." e success of the banquet operations — the team exceeded its budget projections the first year — has given the team a new, year-round revenue opportunity to extend its marketing and finance on-field amenities the players and the parent club are looking for from its minor league affiliates. But that's not the only part of the operation working year-round. In fact, there is very little downtime for most of the Timber Rattlers' 27-person permanent staff, from ticket sales to marketing and promotions. e season itself is certainly hectic, particularly when you look at the range of on- and off-field promotions that take place during those six months. ey all have to be planned out well before the players take the field. e heavy liing starts about one week aer the players leave for the year. "We are always looking for things to get to know our fans better and to get them more involved. e baseball part may slow down in the off-season, but we still have plenty of things to market." Hilary Bauer, Timber Rattlers director of marketing ONLINE: CLICK to hear President and GM Rob Zerjav talk about building new business opportunities to support the T-Rats.