The Northwoods League is a collegiate summer baseball wooden bat league. All players in the league must have

NCAA The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It also organizes the athletic programs of colleges an ...

eligibility remaining in order to participate. The league is amateur, and players are not paid, so as to maintain their college eligibility. Graduated senior pitchers are also eligible to play in the Northwoods League. Each team may have four of these players at a time. Teams play 72 games scheduled from late May to mid-August. The season itself is broken into two halves, with the winners of each half in each of the four sub-divisions playing against each other to determine a sub-divisional champion in a best-of-three series. The sub-divisional champions then meet in a winner-take-all game to determine a divisional champion. The divisional champions then meet in a winner-take-all game for the league championship. In 2020, some teams cancelled their season due to the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...

. For those teams that did play, instead of playing within their usual divisions, they played in hub regions, with some creating "temporary teams".

History

Established in 1994, the Northwoods League was the first for-profit summer collegiate baseball league. It has more teams and plays more games than any other summer collegiate baseball league. The Northwoods League drew over 1.1 Million fans for the fourth consecutive year in 2017. The purpose of the league is to develop players while college baseball teams are not allowed to work out. Many of the teams in the league play in ballparks formerly occupied by professional clubs from the

Midwest League The Midwest League is a Minor League Baseball league established in 1947 and based in the Midwestern United States. A Class A league for most of its history, the league was promoted to High-A as part of Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganizat ...

Prairie League {{Unreferenced, date=April 2019 The Prairie League was an independent league of baseball which was based in the prairie provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba and the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The league was or ...

, Northern League, and

Frontier League The Frontier League is a professional independent baseball league with teams in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States and Eastern Canada. Formed in 1993, it is the oldest currently running independent league in the United States. The le ...

. The wooden bat circuit allows communities deemed too small for professional ball to continue to enjoy high-quality, competitive baseball during the summer months. The Northwoods League was the first summer collegiate baseball league to broadcast on the

ESPN ESPN (originally an initialism for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by ESPN Inc., owned jointly by The Walt Disney Company (80%) and Hearst Communications (20%). The ...

network, and currently webcasts all of its games. The teams are located in the Northwoods region of the

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ern United States and Northwestern

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, mostly in the

U.S. state In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its sover ...

s of

Minnesota Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to ...

(five teams) and

Wisconsin Wisconsin () is a state in the upper Midwestern United States. Wisconsin is the 25th-largest state by total area and the 20th-most populous. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake M ...

(nine teams); also with three teams in

Michigan Michigan () is a state in the Great Lakes region of the upper Midwestern United States. With a population of nearly 10.12 million and an area of nearly , Michigan is the 10th-largest state by population, the 11th-largest by area, and the ...

, two in

North Dakota North Dakota () is a U.S. state in the Upper Midwest, named after the Native Americans in the United States, indigenous Dakota people, Dakota Sioux. North Dakota is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba to the north a ...

, and one team each in

Iowa Iowa () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States, bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west. It is bordered by six states: Wisconsin to the northeast, Illinois to the ...

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Indiana Indiana () is a U.S. state in the Midwestern United States. It is the 38th-largest by area and the 17th-most populous of the 50 States. Its capital and largest city is Indianapolis. Indiana was admitted to the United States as the 19th s ...

and

. Over 200 league alumni have gone on to play in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...

(MLB) with 91 alumni entering the MLB ranks from 2013 to 2017. Alumni

Max Scherzer Maxwell Martin Scherzer (born July 27, 1984) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, and L ...

, the 2017 National League

Cy Young Award The Cy Young Award is given annually to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB), one each for the American League (AL) and National League (NL). The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall ...

winner, and American League runner-up

Chris Sale Christopher Allen Sale (born March 30, 1989) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Chicago White Sox, with whom he made his major league debut ...

faced each other as the starting pitchers in the

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and 2018 Major League Baseball All-Star Games.

Competition

In small cities it may be hard to find the financial stability in a newly founded baseball league. The Northwoods League (NWL) realized it needed to gain significant revenue from sponsors in order to succeed. According to league Chairman and co-founder Dick Radatz, Jr, two-thirds of the revenue comes from sponsors and the remainder from ticket sales, concessions, and team merchandise. Radatz also noted the importance of having the sponsor revenue before the beginning of the season.

Teams

Map of teams

Franchise timeline

DateFormat = yyyy ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:25 Period = from:1994 till:2024 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal PlotArea = right:140 left:20 bottom:20 top:0 Colors = id:barcolor value:rgb(0.99,0.7,0.7) id:line value:black id:bg value:white PlotData= width:20 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:s bar:1 color:orange from:1994 till:end text: Dubuque Mud Puppies (1994–1996), St. Cloud River Bats (1997-2011), St. Cloud Rox (2012–present) bar:2 color:orange from:1994 till:1999 text: Kenosha Kroakers (1994–1998) bar:3 color:orange from:1994 till:1998 text: Manitowoc Skunks (1994–1997) bar:4 color:orange from:1994 till:end text:

Rochester Honkers The Rochester Honkers are an amateur baseball team in the Northwoods League, a collegiate summer baseball league. Their home games are played at Mayo Field in Rochester, Minnesota. They have won the Northwoods League championship five times, mo ...

(1994–present) bar:5 color:orange from:1994 till:end text: Wausau Woodchucks (1994–1998), Wisconsin Woodchucks (1999–2021), Wausau Woodchucks (2022–present) bar:6 color:orange from:1995 till:end text: Waterloo Bucks (1995–present) bar:7 color:orange from:1998 till:2003 text: Brainerd Mighty Gulls (1998–2002) bar:8 color:orange from:1998 till:2001 text: Grand Forks Channel Cats (1998–2000) bar:9 color:orange from:1998 till:2001 text: Southern Minny Stars (1998–1999),

Minot Greenheads Minot ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Ward County, North Dakota, Ward County, North Dakota, United States, in the state's north-central region. It is most widely known for the Minot Air Force Base, Air Force base approximately north of ...

(2000) bar:10 color:orange from:1999 till:end text: Mankato Mashers (1999–2001), Mankato MoonDogs (2002–present) bar:11 color:orange from:2001 till:2016 text: Alexandria Beetles (2001-2012), Alexandria Blue Anchors (2013-2015) bar:12 color:orange from:2001 till:end text:

Madison Mallards The Madison Mallards are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Madison, Wisconsin that plays in the Northwoods League. Warner Park on Madison’s North side is the team's home field. History The history of minor league baseball in Madison b ...

(2001–present) bar:13 color:orange from:2003 till:end text:

Duluth Huskies The Duluth Huskies are an amateur baseball team playing in the Northwoods League, a collegiate summer baseball league. They have been operating in Duluth, Minnesota since 2003. The Huskies play home games at Wade Stadium in Duluth, which was ...

(2003–present) bar:14 color:orange from:2003 till:end text:

La Crosse Loggers The La Crosse Loggers are a La Crosse, Wisconsin based baseball team playing in the Northwoods League, a collegiate summer baseball league. Since the team's inaugural season in 2003, they have played at Copeland Park. The ballpark is nicknamed "t ...

(2003–present) bar:15 color:orange from:2003 till:2019 text:

Thunder Bay Border Cats The Thunder Bay Border Cats are a baseball team that plays in the Northwoods League, a collegiate summer baseball league. The league's only Canadian team, their home games are played at Port Arthur Stadium in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The Border Ca ...

(2003–2019, 2023-present) bar:15 color:orange from:2023 till:end bar:16 color:orange from:2005 till:2012 text: Brainerd Blue Thunder (2005-2008), Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers (2009-2011) bar:17 color:orange from:2005 till:end text:

Eau Claire Express The Eau Claire Express is a collegiate summer baseball team playing in the Northwoods League. Their home games are played at Carson Park, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. After two straight losing seasons in 2005 and 2006, the Eau Claire Express achiev ...

(2005–present) bar:18 color:orange from:2007 till:end text: Battle Creek Bombers (2007–2021),

Battle Creek Battle Jacks The Battle Creek Battle Jacks are a baseball team that plays in the Northwoods League, a collegiate summer baseball league. All players on the team must have NCAA eligibility remaining in order to participate. Their home games are played at the ...

(2022–present) bar:19 color:orange from:2007 till:end text:

Green Bay Bullfrogs The Green Bay Rockers are a baseball team that plays in the Northwoods League, a collegiate summer baseball league. The team joined the league as the Bullfrogs as an expansion franchise for the 2007 season along with the Battle Creek Bombers. Bef ...

(2007–2018), Green Bay Booyah (2019-2021), Green Bay Rockers (2022-present) bar:20 color:orange from:2010 till:end text:

Willmar Stingers The Willmar Stingers are a baseball team that plays in the Northwoods League, a Collegiate summer baseball, collegiate summer baseball league. The Stingers played their inaugural season in 2010. The team plays its home games at Bill Taunton Stadium ...

(2010–present) bar:21 color:orange from:2010 till:end text:

Wisconsin Rapids Rafters The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a baseball team based in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin that plays in the Northwoods League, a collegiate summer baseball league. The Rafters play home games at historic Witter Field. History The Rafters name was a ...

(2010–present) bar:22 color:orange from:2012 till:end text:

Lakeshore Chinooks The Lakeshore Chinooks are a baseball team based in Mequon, Wisconsin, United States and a member of the Northwoods League, a collegiate summer baseball league. The Chinooks play their home games at Kapco Park on the campus of Concordia Universit ...

(2012–present) bar:23 color:orange from:2014 till:end text:

Kalamazoo Growlers The Kalamazoo Growlers are a baseball team based in Kalamazoo, Michigan that plays in the Northwoods League, a summer collegiate baseball league. The Growlers were founded in 2013 and played their first game on May 28, 2014, losing to the then ...

(2014–present) bar:24 color:orange from:2014 till:end text:

Kenosha Kingfish The Kenosha Kingfish are a baseball team that plays in the collegiate summer Northwoods League. Based in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the Kingfish play their home games at Simmons Field. History Kenosha has been the home of multiple minor league baseball ...

(2014–present) bar:25 color:orange from:2016 till:end text: Rockford Rivets (2016–present) bar:26 color:orange from:2017 till:end text:

Bismarck Larks The Bismarck Larks are a collegiate summer baseball team that plays in the Northwoods League The Northwoods League is a collegiate summer baseball wooden bat league. All players in the league must have NCAA eligibility remaining in order to p ...

(2017–present) bar:27 color:orange from:2017 till:end text:

Fond du Lac Dock Spiders The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders are a baseball team that plays in the Northwoods League (a collegiate summer baseball league). Based in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, the Dock Spiders play their home games at Herr-Baker Field on the campus of Marian Uni ...

(2017–present) bar:28 color:orange from:2019 till:end text:

Kokomo Jackrabbits The Kokomo Jackrabbits are a college summer baseball team based in Kokomo, Indiana. They are a member of the summer collegiate Northwoods League, beginning with the 2019 season. Previously, the team played in the Prospect League. The Jackrabbits p ...

(2019–present) bar:30 color:orange from:2019 till:end text: Traverse City Pit Spitters (2019–present) bar:31 color:orange from:2023 till:end text:Minot Hot Tots (2023-present) ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:2 start:1994 Not included are the temporary teams that were created and made for 2020 as teams had to cancel their season or only play locally/regionally.

Champions

From 1994-2018, the league championship series was a best-of-3 between the two division champions. When the league expanded in 2019, the championship became a one-game playoff.

Notable Northwoods League alumni

Jeremy Accardo Jeremiah Lee Accardo (born December 8, 1981) is an American former professional baseball pitcher and coach. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, and Oakl ...

, Alexandria Beetles, 2001 * Scott Alexander, La Crosse Loggers, 2008 *

Pete Alonso Peter Morgan Alonso (born December 7, 1994), nicknamed "Polar Bear" and "Big Meat Pete"," is an American professional baseball first baseman for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut during the 2019 season and br ...

, Madison Mallards, 2014 *

Cody Asche Cody James Asche ( ; born June 30, 1990) is an American professional baseball coach and former third baseman and left fielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago White Sox. After growing up in ...

, Duluth Huskies, 2009-2010 *

Clint Barmes Clint Harrold Barmes (, born March 6, 1979) is an American former professional baseball second baseman and shortstop. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2003 through 2015 for the Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates, a ...

, Kenosha Kroakers, 1998, Waterloo Bucks, 1999 *

Joe Bisenius Joseph Richard Bisenius (born September 18, 1982) is an American former professional baseball pitcher and current area scout for the Minnesota Twins. He played for the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals. College and draft Bisenius ...

, Duluth Huskies, 2003 * Javier Baez, Wausau Woodchunks, 2010 * T.J. Bohn, Brainerd Mighty Gulls, 2001 *

Rob Brantly Robert Jacob Brantly (born July 14, 1989) is an American professional baseball catcher who is currently a free agent. The Detroit Tigers drafted Brantly in the third round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his Major League Basebal ...

, La Crosse Loggers, 2009 *

Corbin Burnes Corbin Brian Burnes (born October 22, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted by the Brewers in the fourth round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft, and mad ...

,Waterloo Bucks, 2014-2015 *

Lance Broadway Lance Daniel Broadway (born August 20, 1983) is an American actor and former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is 6'3" and throws right-handed. High school and college Broadway was born in Bryan, Texas, and attended Grand Prairie High School, whe ...

, Wisconsin Woodchucks, 2004 *Trevor Brown, La Crosse Loggers, 2011 * Mike Burns, Brainerd Mighty Gulls, 1998–1999 *

Kole Calhoun Kole Alan Calhoun (born October 14, 1987) is an American professional baseball right fielder who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels, Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers. Calhoun played co ...

, Eau Claire Express, 2007-2009 * Matt Cepicky, Waterloo Bucks, 1997 *

Matt Chapman Matthew James Chapman (born April 28, 1993) is an American professional baseball third baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Oakland Athletics. Chapman made his MLB debut with Oakland in ...

, La Crosse Loggers, 2012 *

Jermaine Clark Jermaine Marcel Clark (born September 29, 1976) is a former Major League Baseball player who played for several teams between 2001 and 2005. Amateur career A native of Berkeley, California, Clark attended Will C. Wood High School and the Univers ...

, Kenosha Kroakers, 1995 * Willie Collazo, Waterloo Bucks, 1999 *

Allen Craig Allen Thomas Craig (born July 18, 1984) is an American former professional baseball first baseman and outfielder, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox. The Cardinals drafted Craig from the Uni ...

, Alexandria Beetles, 2003, 2005 * Paul DeJong, Wisconsin Woodchucks, 2014 * Chris Demaria, St. Cloud River Bats, 2000–2001 *

Thomas Diamond Thomas Nicklaus Diamond (born April 6, 1983) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs. College & draft Diamond starred at the University of New Orleans. As a junior, he we ...

, St. Cloud River Bats, 2002–2003 * Andy Dominique, Kenosha Kroakers, 1995 * Jeff Duncan, Waterloo Bucks, 1998 *

Lucas Duda Lucas Christopher Duda (born February 3, 1986) is an American former professional baseball first baseman who played most of his Major League Baseball career for the New York Mets. He was the starting first baseman for the 2015 Mets team that wo ...

, Alexandria Beetles, 2006 *

Andre Ethier Andre Everett Ethier (; born April 10, 1982) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2006 to 2017 and is second all-time in post-season appearances as a Do ...

, Rochester Honkers, 2002 * Dave Gassner, Wausau Woodchucks, 1998 *

Jay Gibbons Jay Jonathan Gibbons (born March 2, 1977) is an American former professional baseball right fielder in Major League Baseball. He played college baseball at California State University, Los Angeles and in the Major Leagues for the Baltimore Oriole ...

, Manitowoc Skunks, 1996–1997 *

Tom Gorzelanny Thomas Stephen Gorzelanny (born July 12, 1982) is a former American professional baseball pitcher who is currently the pitching coach for the minor league Amarillo Sod Poodles. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, ...

, St. Cloud River Bats, 2001 *

Curtis Granderson Curtis Granderson Jr. (born March 16, 1981), nicknamed the "Grandyman", is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Ange ...

, Mankato Mashers, 2001 * Eric Haase, Wausau Woodchunks, 2010 * Mitch Haniger, Green Bay Bullfrogs, 2009 *

Jack Hannahan John Joseph "The Bangladesh Hammer" Hannahan IV (born March 4, 1980) is an American former professional baseball utility player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Ind ...

, Mankato Mashers, 1999 *

Daniel Ray Herrera Daniel Ray Herrera (born October 21, 1984) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets. Herrera became well known among baseball fan ...

, La Crosse Loggers, 2005 *

Tyler Hoechlin Tyler Lee Hoechlin (; born September 11, 1987) is an American actor. Initially earning recognition for starring as Michael Sullivan Jr. in the 2002 film ''Road to Perdition'', Hoechlin went on to star as Martin Brewer on '' 7th Heaven'' between ...

, Battle Creek Bombers, 2007 *

Justin Huisman Justin Ray Huisman (born April 16, 1979) is an American former Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played for the Kansas City Royals in 2004. Amateur career A native of Harvey, Illinois, Huisman attended Thornwood High School and the Univ ...

, St. Cloud River Bats, 1998 * Brett Jackson, La Crosse Loggers, 2007 *

Casey Janssen Robert Casey Janssen (born September 17, 1981) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched for two seasons in various levels of the Toronto Blue Jays' minor league organization before his debut in 2006 as a starting pitcher. ...

, Wisconsin Woodchucks, 2001 *

Jimmy Journell James Richard Journell (born December 29, 1977), is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2003 and 2005. Amateur career Journell was born in Springfield, Ohio. He graduated from North High S ...

, Waterloo Bucks, 1997, 1999 *

Bobby Kielty Robert Michael Kielty (last name pronounced KELT-ee) (born August 5, 1976) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played for the Minnesota Twins, Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics, and Boston Red Sox during a Major League ...

, Kenosha Kroakers, 1996 * Andrew Knapp, La Crosse Loggers, 2011 *

Mark Lowe Mark Christopher Lowe (born June 7, 1983) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, and Detr ...

, Wisconsin Woodchucks, 2002–2003 * Jay Marshall, Rochester Honkers, 2002 * Doug Mathis, Duluth Huskies, 2003 *

Mark Melancon Mark David Melancon ( ; born March 28, 1985) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pi ...

, Duluth Huskies, 2004 *

Paul McAnulty Paul Michael McAnulty (born February 24, 1981) is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played college baseball at Long Beach State. Major League Baseball San Diego Padres McAnulty gained the attention of San Diego Padres GM Kevin Tower ...

, Mankato Mashers, 2001 * Carlos Muñiz, Alexandria Beetles, 2002 *

Pat Neshek Patrick John Neshek (pronounced NEE-shehk; born September 4, 1980), is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, ...

, Wisconsin Woodchucks, 2000 * Josh Newman, Alexandria Beetles, 2001 *

Wes Obermueller Wesley Mitchell Obermueller (born December 22, 1976) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He began his career in the Kansas City Royals organization when he was selected in the 2nd round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft. Obermuelle ...

, Wausau Woodchucks, 1995, Waterloo Bucks, 1996–1997 *

Jordan Pacheco Jordan Patrick Pacheco (born January 30, 1986) is an American former professional baseball infielder and catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds. Early career Prior to p ...

, La Crosse Loggers, 2005 * Val Pascucci, Rochester Honkers, 1998 *

Juan Pierre Juan D'Vaughn Pierre (born August 14, 1977) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2000–2013 for the Colorado Rockies, Florida/Miami Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Ch ...

, Manitowoc Skunks, 1996 *

Robb Quinlan Robb William Quinlan (born March 17, 1977) is an American former Major League Baseball utility player who played first base, third base, corner outfield, catcher and designated hitter for the Anaheim Angels / Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim between ...

, Dubuque Mud Puppies, 1996, St. Cloud River Bats, 1998 * Erasmo Ramirez, Kenosha Kroakers, 1995 * Mike Rouse, Brainerd Mighty Gulls, 1999 *

, La Crosse Loggers, 2008 *

, La Crosse Loggers, 2004 *

Shawn Sedlacek Shawn Patrick Sedlacek (born June 29, 1977) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played part of one season in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily as a starting pitcher, for the Kansas City Royals in 2002. Sedlacek threw a f ...

, Dubuque Mud Puppies, 1996 *

George Sherrill George Friederich Sherrill (born April 19, 1977) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. Sherrill pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Atlanta Braves from ...

, Kenosha Kroakers, 1997 *

Drew Smyly Todd Andrew Smyly (born June 13, 1989), nicknamed "Big Shooter", is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Detroit Tigers, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Ra ...

, Duluth Huskies, 2009 *

Ryan Spilborghs Ryan Adam Rene Jean Spilborghs (born September 5, 1979) is an American baseball broadcaster for AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain & SiriusXM's MLB Network Radio, and a former professional baseball outfielder. Baseball career College Spilborghs playe ...

, Madison Mallards, 2001 *

Eric Thames Eric Allyn Thames ( ; born November 10, 1986) is an American professional baseball first baseman and outfielder who is currently a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee B ...

, La Crosse Loggers, 2007 *

Mike Trout Michael Nelson Trout (born August 7, 1991) is an American professional baseball center fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). Trout is a ten-time MLB All-Star, three-time American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) ...

, La Crosse Loggers, 2008 *

Curtis Thigpen Curtis Barnard Thigpen (born April 19, 1983) is an American former professional baseball catcher. He played parts of two seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Toronto Blue Jays. Amateur career Thigpen spent his college career at the Un ...

, Waterloo Bucks, 2002 *

Jeff Weaver Jeffrey Charles Weaver (born August 22, 1976) is a former right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher. During his career, he pitched for the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, St. Louis Cardinal ...

, Dubuque Mud Puppies, 1995 *

Josh Willingham Joshua David Willingham (born February 17, 1979) is a former American professional baseball left fielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Florida Marlins, Washington Nationals, Oakland Athletics, Minnesota Twins and Kansas Ci ...

, Austin Southern Minny Stars, 1998–1999 *

Danny Worth Daniel Weston Worth (born September 30, 1985) is an American baseball coach and former professional baseball infielder. He is an assistant baseball coach at Pepperdine University. He previously played for the SK Wyverns of the KBO League and f ...

, Alexandria Beetles, 2006 *

Ben Zobrist Benjamin Thomas Zobrist (; born May 26, 1981), is an American former professional baseball second baseman and outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays/Rays, Oakland Athletics, Kansas City Royals, and Chi ...

, Wisconsin Woodchucks, 2003 *

Jordan Zimmermann Jordan M. Zimmermann (born May 23, 1986) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals, Detroit Tigers, and Milwaukee Brewers. Zimmermann was a two-time MLB All-Star, an ...

, Eau Claire Express 2006 * Anton Kuznetsov,Eau Claire Express, 2013-2015

Umpiring

The Northwoods League, in addition to being a developmental league for players and coaches, is also a developmental league for

umpires An umpire is an official in a variety of sports and competition, responsible for enforcing the rules of the sport, including sportsmanship decisions such as ejection. The term derives from the Old French nonper, ''non'', "not" and ''per'', ...

. The concentrated game schedule, travel, and Minor League-like game conditions give NWL umpires a pre-professional experience. Since the League's inaugural season in 1994, 44 of its former umpires have furthered their careers in affiliated professional baseball. The League recruits its umpires from the two umpire schools whose curricula have been approved by the Professional Baseball Umpire Corps. (PBUC): The Minor League Umpire training Academy and Harry Wendelstedt School for Umpires. The umpires ultimately chosen are usually among the top school graduates who were then selected to the pre-season, PBUC sponsored Umpire Evaluation Course. The NWL contracts with eleven three-man crews during the regular season, a six-man crew during the mid-season All-Star game, and six umpires for both the divisional playoffs and championship series.

Notes

References

External links

Official website
{{College Summer Baseball Summer baseball leagues College baseball leagues in the United States Baseball leagues in Canada Baseball leagues in Iowa Baseball leagues in Minnesota Baseball leagues in Wisconsin Sports leagues established in 1994 1994 establishments in the United States