Beloit Snappers

MiLB infobox
name = Beloit Snappers
founded = 1982
city = Beloit, Wisconsin
misc =

uniform
class level = Low-A
past class level=
current league = Midwest League
conference =
division = Western Division
past league =
majorleague = Minnesota Twins (2005-Present)
pastmajorleague = Milwaukee Brewers (1982-2004)
uniform =
nickname = Beloit Snappers (1995-Present)
pastnames = Beloit Brewers (1982-1994)
ballpark = Harry C. Pohlman Field
pastparks =
leaguechamps = 1995
divisionchamps =
misc6 =
owner = Beloit Professional Baseball Assoc.
manager = Nelson Prada
gm = Jeff Vohs The Beloit Snappers are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Minnesota Twins, that plays in the Midwest League. [cite web|url=http://www.mwlguide.com/cities/beloit/index.html/|title=Dinda, J. (2003), "Beloit, Wisconsin, in the Midwest League"]

Beloit joined the Midwest League as an expansion franchise in 1982. They were a Milwaukee Brewers farm team from its beginning through 2004; they switched to the Twins' farm system for the 2005 season. They adopted the Snappers nickname in 1995 after using the parent team's nickname for its first 13 seasons. The name derives from the snapping turtle, because Beloit was formerly known as Turtle Village and there is still a Turtle Creek and a town of Turtle. All of these are named for a turtle-shaped Indian mound on the campus of Beloit College.

Their home park is Harry C. Pohlman Field at Telfer Park, built in time for the 1982 season. The franchise attendance record of 101,127 was set in 1986.

The 2003 team included two sons of former major league players. Prince Fielder, the son of former American League home run champion Cecil Fielder and Tony Gwynn, Jr., son of Tony Gwynn. Another noted Major Leaguer, Jim Morris of "The Rookie" fame played for the Beloit Brewers when he came out of college in the 1980s. Other former Snappers players who moved on to Major League ball include Greg Vaughn, Geoff Jenkins, Jeff D'Amico, Ron Belliard and Ben Sheets.

Because the Milwaukee Brewers withdrew their support due to the lack of a new stadium, efforts are underway to build one similar to facilities used by the Rockford RiverHawks or the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. One possible location near Janesville could involve renaming the team to reflect a broader Rock County audience. [cite web|url=http://www.snappersbaseball.com/|title=Beloit Snappers|accessdate=2008-07-24]

=2008 Beloit Snappers Roster [cite web|url=http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t554/|title=Minor League Baseball|accessdate=2008-07-24] =

References