Wisconsin Rapids, WI (WFHR,WIRI)

Jake Adams, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters Assistant General Manager, and Connor Filipi, Marketing and Media manager joined James on WFHR’s January 13th Afternoon Magazine

Jake began his career in Wilmer, MN with a small team, beginning as an intern, eventually becoming their Head of Marketing and promotions. Then travelling to Charlston, SC, Jake joined the Single-A affiliate team of the Tampa Bay Rays as their Promotions manager, and “director of Fun!”. An interesting side note, Jake worked a few months for Bill Murray. Returning to the Midwest, Jake spent some time in Soccer with the Loons before deciding that was not his sport. Jake’s love of baseball then brought him to the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. Jake commented: “Once I came out here, I saw how special this place was… I came on a random Tuesday to a game and we were winning by a lot- the crowd didn’t go home! Everyone stayed, they were loud, it was the 9th, .. I have never seen that in my 25 years ..and I am excited to be here”

Connor Filipi also began his career in Minnesota, first attending the University of Northwestern, a fantastic broadcasting school, then working with Jake in Wilmer MN.
After graduating college, Connor went on to work as a news station production assistant, then as a freelance video editors for news teams and concerts, and creating play by play for sporting teams. Realizing he wanted a full time sports opportunity, Connor came to Wisconsin Rapids and the Rafters.
James pointed out that working behind the scenes and doing as many jobs as you can helps you understand how the entire production works, adding: “it’ll make you that much better on the stage” “you don’t know how to do a job until you understand all the jobs around it, so the idea of pulling from other worlds and having experience in other things only makes you stronger”

Jake, Connor and James then discussed the upcoming season, starting with the “Hot Stove Event”, on January 18th at the Hotel Mead. The Hot Stove event is a night of baseball talk, community and food. Details are available on the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters Website.

Discussion then turned to new players coming on board for the season, the excitement of putting a team together and the team’s new Field Manager, Tom “Ziggy” Zieglowsky. Connor commented: ” What you’ll see throughout the course of the season is that he selected these guys not just because of what they can do on the field because they’re going to be fantastic, but they care about developing themselves. He wants to focus on getting players here who can do all the work. You’ll see a lot of fan interaction” Jake added: “he’s not just picking players based on stats, he wants good people on this team too. His big thing is that the community of Wisconsin Rapids needs a team to rally around. We have the Riverkings in the winter, and the Rafters in the summer. We want to be out in the community giving back because you guys give so much to us”

The disussion wrapped up with the upcoming schedule, beginning with the May 26 Home Opener against the Green Bay Rockers, and the July 4th game with an extensive fireworks display. For Scheduling and tickets, stop in to the front office at Witter Field, or visit the team’s website.

The complete Wisconsin Rapids Rafters update is available to listen to here

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