Milwaukee Brewers announce Alternate Training Site in Appleton

The Milwaukee Brewers confirmed an expected move on Thursday. Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium will host their alternate training site, beginning on Monday, April 12. The planned alternate training site is home to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, but the players who make up the alternate site playing pool will mainly be on the Triple-A Nashville Sounds roster. For the Brewers, this is a return to last year’s alternate site location.

As first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the alternate training sites will host players most likely to be called up to the major leagues until minor league seasons resume. Triple-A is scheduled to resume beginning May 4. Some MLB executives have indicated the alternate training sites might extend beyond that date, but MLB has not confirmed this yet. The sites will likely carry about as many players as a Triple-A roster, but MLB has not officially announced the size of the sites.

The alternate training sites allow major league teams to call up players from Triple-A affiliates while reducing COVID-19 transmission risks, particularly those associated with commercial air travel. Triple-A players typically fly commercial while the rest of the minor leagues travel exclusively on charter buses. The alternate sites are closer to major league affiliates, allowing players called up to travel by chartered bus, which can simplify COVID-19 protocols when players are called up from the minors.

The alternate site roster will be announced after the Milwaukee Brewers opening day roster is set. According to MiLB, the Timber Rattlers and Brewers agree on terms for fans to attend intrasquad scrimmages and practices. Mask up, Fox Valley!