NFL Begins – Rafters Struggle – Legion Baseball Wrapping

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WFHR, WIRI) – The NFL officially begins to ramp up to the 2025-2026 season. Our Wisconsin Rapids Rafters continue to struggle, and Legion Baseball wraps up.

NFL Training camps begin

On Wednesday, July 23, all 32 NFL teams begin the training camp portion of their schedules prior to the beginning of the preseason.

The first preseason game is on July 31 in Canton, Ohio where the Detroit Lions will take on the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Packers held their first full day of training camp the day after revealing a new home locker room.

Green Bay is also expected to announce its new throw-back uniform and helmet combination at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 24.

Rafters’ woes continue

In the six games since returning from the All-Star break, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters have stumbled out of the gate.

The Rafters have won two of its first six games since returning from the break, as they were swept by Madison, but split series with Green Bay and Fond du Lac.

Over the next week, the Rafters will play a home and away series with Wausau, Green Bay, and a two-game stand at Madison while having its final off day of the summer on July 28.

Rapids Legion Baseball takes on regional play

The 2025 season ended for two of the three American Legion Baseball teams in Wisconsin Rapids over the past week.

The 16U and 17U Rambler teams had their seasons come to an end in their respective regionals in Chippewa Falls and Plover, while the 19U Rangers found themselves in elimination games.

Rapids lost its first game to Stevens Point 3-2 on Tuesday, July 22, but won 5-1 in 11 innings over Wausau to keep the season alive on July 23.

The Rangers next play Marshfield at 2:30pm on July 24, and if victorious will play at 7:30 pm against Stevens Point.

Links

You can find more local sports reporting on Michael Kommer’s website. You’ll also be able to tune in to broadcasting of high school sports on WFHR and WIRI. The call-in sports talk show Playmakers airs every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. You’ll hear it from 4:00 to 5:00 PM on WIRI 105.5 FM.