Characters of the Dutch: The Hanson Sisters

There are many unique characters that go to Dutchess Stadium.

 Perhaps the most prominent characters of the Dutch are the Hanson Sisters. The Hanson sisters are actually the Rosati sisters from Hopewell Junction, NY. Diane is a 56 year old special education teacher and Vivian is a 49 year old cashier at a nearby Stop & Shop. They earned the nickname the Hanson Sisters from the hockey movie “Slap Shot”. In the movie there were three big and gnarly hockey playing brothers and they were known as the Hanson Brothers. Rick Zolzer Renegades PA Announcer took the movie reference and gave the Rosati sisters the nickname the Hanson sisters. 

Zolzer gave them the nickname because of their size and enthusiasm for the game of baseball was similar to that of the Hanson Brothers in the movie. The nickname has stuck ever since.

The Hanson Sisters have been season ticket holders since the team was first brought to Wappingers Falls in 1994. They have three seats in the third row of section 105. The third seat is used to hold all of the Renegades gear that they bring to Dutchess Stadium. 

They are known for wearing Raccoon puppets on their hands. They also have raccoon-tail rally sticks that they bang together with perfect precision. They also are known for getting up and doing the chicken dance each time it is played at the Dutch. As well as being involved in every cheer and dance that goes on. 

“They are the cheerleaders of the Renegades they are the heart and soul of the fan base” said Joe Delia a longtime Renegades fan. The Hanson Sisters come to most of the games they only miss one or two games a season. On the nights they are not there season ticket holder Wayne Delia said “ the game just ain’t right without the Hanson Sisters”.

The Hanson Sisters bring a lot of energy to the Dutch and are entertaining to watch. "Lots of fun, lots of energy, you have to see them waving those raccoons, they are icons here" said Dan Lazenka a retired engineer and currently an usher who mostly works the third base seats.  They are the most passionate fans that I have ever seen. The time and dedication that they put in is remarkable it is something you do not see very often.

           

To this day you still see the Hanson Sisters at every game rooting for their Renegades. The players and coaches may come and go each year. But the Hanson Sisters remain a lasting image of Dutchess Stadium.

Characters of the Dutch: Rick Zolzer

Rick Zolzer is known as the voice of the Hudson Valley Renegades. Zolzer started as the public address announcer for the Hudson Valley Renegades in 1994 when the team was created. He took a three year break from 2001 to 2004 to be the public address announcer for the New Jersey Nets. After being fired by the Nets in 2004 Zolzer returned to the Renegades and has been there since.

Rick Zolzer made history in 1995 when he became the first and only public address announcer to be ejected from a game. Zolzer was unpleased with the several balk calls in the game and showed his view on the calls by making bawk noises from the booth. Then Zolzer announced from his booth that the only way that the umpires would make it to the big leagues is if they bought a ticket. After that statement was heard the umpire threw Zolzer out of the game. Next Zolzer climbed out of his booth window where fans helped him get away. Zolzer was fined by the league for that however the fine was paid by the players of the Renegades.

Rick Zolzer is also the director of the Pitch for Kids Fund which is a charity that is run by the Renegades. Zolzer is a charitable person who likes to give back to the community by running events for the Pitch for Kids Fund. Zolzer has an exciting voice and has vast knowledge of the game of baseball. Zolzer provides a fun environment for everyone at the Dutch.

My favorite thing about Zolzer after listening to him all these years is his home run call. When a Renegades player hits a homerun he says “did you” then he says “yes you did”. I just like the way it sounds and creates a dramatic moment for the 5000 fans in Dutchess Stadium as they watch the ball leave the park. Zolzer is not afraid to speak his mind ever whether it is a bad call made by the umpire or if a fan misplays a foul ball. He is the first one to let you know how he feels. Rick Zolzer is a great announcer he loves what he does and he loves to have fun and make fun of people when they drop a foul ball, or applaud people when they make a nice catch.

Rick Zolzer is beloved by the Hudson Valley James Kelly a season ticket holder said “ Zolz is the reason I come to the ballpark every game. I enjoy listening to his voice and hearing him make fun of people when they mess up. Zolz makes Dutchess Stadium a fun and exciting place to be”. Frank Rutigliano a long time Renegades fan said Zolz is the best public address announcer I have ever heard. He is witty and entertaining and clearly loves what he does. Each time I travel to a different ball park I feel like the experience is not as good as Dutchess Stadium because Rick Zolzer isn’t there.

When asked about his experience has Renegades public address announcer Rick Zolzer said “I have been lucky enough to get paid to things that used to get me tossed out of class in high school. All of the many jobs I do have to do with entertaining people large amounts at the same time and I wouldn't change it! I cannot imagine going to work at a job I hate like many of my friends do. They may make more money but I am having way more fun”.

Uniforms and Stadium Renovations

Friday June 21^st was the home opener for the Hudson Valley Renegades at Dutchess Stadium. As a season ticket holder I expected to walk in to the ballpark on Friday and expect everything to look exactly the same but boy was I wrong.  The first thing I noticed was the team store and how it had completely new merchandise from brand new hats to brand new t-shirts with the new team colors and logos. There was a lot of nice things in there I even bought myself a new hat so I could keep up to date with the new uniforms. When I finally got to my seat I noticed that the changes to the field itself. The foul poles looked brand new and had the Friendly Honda sign on them instead of the Modell’s sign I have been used to seeing for years. Another thing I noticed was that the outfield wall changed colors and now is a light blue just like the Renegades new colors. The one thing that I was really pleased to see is that they fixed the radar gun at the stadium. I am always curious to see how hard a pitcher is throwing and now that the radar gun is fixed I can do that. That was my favorite renovation at Dutchess Stadium.

Another thing that I enjoyed seeing was that Rascal the team mascot got a new look. Rascal went from looking like a cute and cuddly raccoon to a more fierce and scary looking raccoon. I like this new look I feel that a baseball stadium should be a place that is intimidating for the visiting team to play at. That way the home team has a true home field advantage. I feel that with Rascals new look and the new uniforms with the fierce Raccoon staring you down on the caps of the players it makes the Renegades seem more intimidating. The Renegades now look like they need to be feared and that other teams should be scared when they come to play at Dutchess Stadium. I absolutely enjoy the new uniforms they are much more stylish than the old uniforms. I love the color scheme with the light blue and white since blue is my favorite color I am glad to see the Renegades new uniform have my favorite color on them. Overall the Renegades new uniforms are more stylish and intimidating and the ball park looks brand new I am pleased with the changes the Renegades have made and I look forward to going to the ballpark every game and enjoy that exciting atmosphere that is Dutchess Stadium.