After the 1993 season, the Madison Muskies, which had represented Madison in the Midwest League from 1982 to 1993, moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, which had constructed a new stadium, to become the West Michigan Whitecaps. As a replacement, Madison obtained the Springfield Cardinals franchise, which was renamed the Madison Hatters.[1]
The Hatters' mascot was "Madcap Mouse", a costumed performer dressed as a mouse wearing a red tuxedo and top hat. Local Madison 21-year old Scott Kelly portrayed Madcap, and was paid $50 per game, more than any player.[2]
The team played well during the first half of 1994, finishing in second place in the seven-team Southern Division with a 37–33 record, just one game behind the Springfield Sultans. In the second half, however, their performance dropped off as they finished in fifth place with a 29–40 record. Joe Cunningham was the manager. Two players—outfielder Joe McEwing and pitcher Jay Witasick—were named to the league's post-season all-star team.[3] McEwing hit .324 with 4 home runs and 47 runs batted in, while Witasick went 10–4 with a 2.32 earned run averaged and 141 strikeouts.[4] Jeff Matulevich led the league with 30 saves.[3]
With the pre-season announcement that the Hatters intended to be in Madison only one year, their attendance was weak, with a season total of 69,060 (11th in the 14-team league), down from the 101,219 attending the Muskies' games the previous season.[3][5] By September, the city of Battle Creek had committed to stadium improvements to bring the Hatters to their city, and the Midwest League departed from Madison.[6]
