The 2026 Land O’ Lakes baseball season opened with the Genesee Rebels hosting the visiting Rome Raiders. The Rebels got things started with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. In the 3rd each team plated a run before Genesee scored two more runs in the bottom of the 4th. I left after the sixth inning to go see part of the Milton/Watertown game.

Rome closed the gap in the 7th and 8th. In the 7th, the Raiders scored a pair of runs on two errors and three walks, but finished the inning with bases loaded. They added another run in the 8th and led off the 9th with a walk. But the comeback fell short after a groundout and pair of strikeouts ended the game.

The Rebels won 5-4. Genesee pitcher Bryten Staab had an impressive start. Through 6 innings, Bryten gave up 3 hits, a walk, 6 strikeouts, and retired the side in order for 3 of 6 innings. Mike Balistreri led Genesee’s hitting with a double, a pair of singles, and two runs scored.

Left fielder Ryan Wenzel led the Raiders with a pair of singles and one RBI. Jake Tuttle relieved starting pitcher Connor Keating. Tuttle scattered a single and a pair of walks while striking out 9 over the final 4 innings.

At Genesee, photography outside the fence is a little more challenging that other ballfields. Behind home plate the fencing is thicker, and the fences down the foul lines angle inward toward the foul poles. Most of the photos taken from behind home plate were “tossed” into the digital waste bucket. Fortunately, the dugouts and the entrance gates offer very good vantage points.

As usual the concessions offered a great burger. Rome had a decent fan following with about 40 people lining the visitor’s side of the field.

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• I attend games per my schedule.  Upon request, I can make myself available to shoot specific ballgames for a reasonable fee.
• I am always interested in adding to my Wisconsin baseball memorabilia collection – especially schedules, programs, photos, RPPC (real-photo) postcards, etc. Other unique items are of interest too, especially pre-1970.