OCONOMOWOC – The Enterprise sat down with three Lake Country DockHounds players to discuss their experiences at Lake Country.
Tristen Carranza, Lamar Briggs and Gio Brusa are not from the area. They never went to Lake Country, but ended up stuck here after signing with the DockHounds for the season.
Carranza plays in the outfield; he is originally from El Centro, California. Carranza said he plays ball for New Mexico State University and has previously signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Mexican Pacific Winter League and Pioneer League. He is currently living with a foster family in Delafield.
A newcomer to Lake Country, Carranza said he’s looking forward to getting out on the water and paddleboarding — not that there’s a lot of free time, Carranza said, with almost every day of the week taken up at baseball.
The Oconomowoc region offers landscapes different from the desert landscape he knows best.
“It’s beautiful here,” Carranza said, explaining that he enjoys spending time soaking up local sites on walks through the Delafield community. He takes advantage of the food trucks in Oconomowoc for easy-to-go meals.
Briggs, also an outfielder, hails from Charlotte, North Carolina. He played at Jackson State University and in the United Shores League before joining the DockHounds. Briggs is staying with her foster family in Watertown.
Growing up in the city, Briggs said he visited family in the countryside. But the vast green fields and forests of southeastern Wisconsin marked it, along with the hospitable nature of local residents.
He visits local restaurants and establishments from time to time, and he particularly enjoys Ella’s Public House downtown, as well as Amalia’s Family Restaurant and the Lumber Inn in Delafield.
Like Carranza, Briggs said he tries to take advantage of his little free time and strives to spend time with his foster family.
Still, Briggs said, it all comes down to baseball.
“It’s my first time here, but I’m here to play ball, win several games and hang out with my teammates,” Briggs said.
And playing ball is easier when the fan base is visible and supportive. According to Briggs and his teammates, they know the Lake Country community supports the team. He reported seeing DockHounds lawn signs as far away as Watertown where his foster family is.
“Every time I’m in a restaurant you hear someone talking about DockHounds, you see the signs on people’s lawns,” Briggs said. “Fans always come out, and it’s just love every day you come.”
Looking into the stands as the game progressed, Briggs said he recognized the impact he and the team had on young baseball players. It’s a thought that crosses his mind every day, he says.
His teammate Gio Brusa plays first base and stays at Oconomowoc. Minutes before speaking with the Enterprise, management informed Brusa that he had made it to the American Association’s All-Star Game roster.
Like his teammates, Brusa reported that Lake Country fans were proud of their home team. He said people often tell him they can’t wait to see him play with the team at Wisconsin Brewing Company Park.
“They’ve made this place our home, (the fans) supporting us through the ups and downs of the season.”
Carranza agreed. “Thank you for welcoming us to the community,” he said, addressing residents of Lake Country. “We come a long way, but we can call this place home.”
Always ready to get out and enjoy the local waters, Carranza added, “And if anyone wants to take us for a boat ride, count on us.”
Depending on the roster, the DockHounds have players from across the country and around the world, including the Dominican Republic, Canada, Venezuela, and Taiwan.