For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS –  The founders of the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, Vern Stenman and Steve Schmitt, have agreed in principal to transfer ownership of their Wisconsin Rapids Northwoods League affiliate to Joe and Vince Fonti.

Pending Wisconsin Rapids City Council approval of a lease extension for Witter Field, along with approval of the transfer of the lease to the new group, the change in ownership for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters would be completed in February.

Rafters general manager, Andy Francis, will enter a two-year agreement to continue in his role overseeing the day-to-day management of the team. Team president, Vern Stenman, will continue in an advisory role with the club for the next two seasons as well.

Joe and Vince Fonti reside in Plover and are the principles of Jo-Vin Baseball, LLC, which is the entity that will acquire the team.

The next step for the transfer is consideration of the lease extension and transfer approval by the Wisconsin Rapids Finance Committee at their Feb. 4 meeting. On Feb. 18, the Wisconsin Rapids City Council will review the same.