Milwaukee, WI - The past three years at the Rock Sports Complex in Franklin, WI has been fun for the Milwaukee Beavers organization...  three straight division titles and two championships.  They use slick defense, a balanced 1-9 lineup, and a staff full of hard throwing righties to stay on top of the league standings each year.   But is it time for a new challenge?

Multiple leagues in Wisconsin with talented teams that Beavers see in the Wisconsin Amateur Baseball Classic, would welcome a team like the Beavers to their roster.  RLB fees are rising once again in 2016 and Milwaukee must be wondering what they would gain by going for the three-peat.  After back-to back-league championships, the Beavers have one trophy and a “sponsorship” from the Rock for some free drinks after games to show for it. 

The move from the Milwaukee Baseball League to the Rock Complex in 2013 was exciting.  You couldn't complain about the playing surface upgrade since the four "MLB replica" diamonds were better than the choppy county fields the MBL used.  Since the Rock made the switch to all-turf infields after the first season, rain-outs and bad bounces became less common.  The onsite food/drink options and centralized location are also convenient for teams and fans.   

The problem is... the price to play in Franklin is starting to resemble the price to rent an actual MLB field, even though there has been little improvement to the fields or playing experience since the inaugural season three years ago.  Competition is average, the umpires inconsistent, and the scorekeeping is laughable.  It sometimes seems to be managed more like a slow-pitch softball league - driving revenue for the Rock enterprise, rather than a top-tier state baseball league that it can be.  Nets have also been petitioned for, to no avail, to protect patrons from flying baseballs due to the close proximity of the four fields.    

There have been no indications that the Beavers are actively pursuing an exit from the Rock league.  Hurdles to switching leagues would include securing and maintaining a home field.