{"id":11767,"date":"2011-08-23T17:06:50","date_gmt":"2011-08-23T16:06:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/?p=11767"},"modified":"2011-08-23T18:52:31","modified_gmt":"2011-08-23T17:52:31","slug":"the-northwoods-league","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/?p=11767","title":{"rendered":"The Northwoods League"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 1994 a new league was born. It flew under the RADAR of many outside of the American Midwest. It was a time when independent leagues came and went, the Major League was plagued by drug and steroid controversy, and many of the big names in the game today were just starting out in their careers, in some cases still tagging along to ballgames with their moms and pops. Today the League has topped over 900,000 attendees in a single season, a claim that can be made by no other summer collegiate baseball league. \u00c2\u00a0\"Northwoods_League\"<\/p>\n

As it comes to the end of its season, before the players head back to their studies or join up with one of the better known Minor League teams and baseball fans in the Midwest devote their entire attention to the pennant races of MLB, let’s take a short look at the Northwoods League.<\/p>\n

The Northwoods League was created to provide university students, the next generation of ball players, a chance to experience life on the circuit without major disruption to their studies. Players must have NCAA eligibility; in other words cannot be paid, must attend a specified number of classes, and must perform to a certain academic level to be part of the team.<\/p>\n

Unlike most MLB-affiliated Minor Leagues and Independent Leagues, the Northwoods chose to use wooden bats, allowing players to practice with the sort of equipment that would be used in the bigs<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The League is named for the famed woods of the upper Midwest and lower Canada, where the teams are based (7 in Minnesota, 6 in Wisconsin, 1 each in Michigan, Iowa and Ontario, Canada.) It is split into North Division and South Division. Although, as with many league division splits, the geographical location of some teams seems to play little part in whether they are in the North or South.<\/p>\n

The North and South divisions meet for an All Star game once a year, in much the same fashion as in Major League Baseball. And just like MLB it is the winning team of each Division pennant who meet in the final.<\/p>\n

At least 54 Major League players once graced the Northwoods League. Some of the teams even play in older stadiums which once belonged to other Minor or Independent teams from the golden years.
\nFor example: last year\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Northwoods League winners, the Eau Claire Express, play at Carson Park, Wisconsin. Carson Park was once home to the Eau Claire Bears of the Northern League, for whom\u00c2\u00a0Hank Aaron<\/a>, Billy Bruton, Wes Covington,\u00c2\u00a0Joe Torre<\/a>,\u00c2\u00a0Bob Uecker<\/a> (famous current Milwaukee Brewers funnyman commentator) and others have filled its roster. There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s even a bust of Hammerin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Hank outside the stadium entrance.
\nAs an aside; it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a beautiful stadium. Built between several curving lakes with an American Football field one side, Baseball diamond the other, and tennis courts surrounding.<\/p>\n

Which is the thing really. The Northwoods League is beautiful. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s about the community and students coming together in college towns. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s about silly competitions for the kids between innings and crowd involvement. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s about lakeside vistas and woodland spirit. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s about hotdogs and beer, funny mascots and the Ballboy being the kid who knocked your door the other weekend to retrieve his frizbee from your back yard. When you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re at a game it feels like the Bullpen Manager could almost be the guy who packs your Mom\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s groceries at the local Save-U-Mart. It is, essentially, what baseball was always supposed to be about.<\/p>\n

If there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a rain delay we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll just grab some popcorn and another local beer, and watch the groundskeepers scuttle about with the tarps or the players perform the crazy dance they choreographed on Friday night at the student bar.<\/p>\n

This is the Northwoods League, may it continue another 17 years and more!<\/p>\n

Current Standings<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

North Division<\/a> W \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 L \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 PCT \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0GB \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0STREAK \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 LAST 10<\/p>\n

Alexandria Beetles<\/a> 44 \u00c2\u00a0 25 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 0.638<\/strong> – \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 1L \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 7-3<\/p>\n

Mankato MoonDogs<\/a> 42 \u00c2\u00a0 28 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 0.600<\/strong> 2.5 \u00c2\u00a01L \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 3-7<\/p>\n

Willmar Stingers<\/a> 39 \u00c2\u00a0 31 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 0.557<\/strong> 5.5 \u00c2\u00a02W \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a06-4<\/p>\n

Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers<\/a> 35 \u00c2\u00a0 34 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 0.507<\/strong> 9 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a03L \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a05-5<\/p>\n

St. Cloud River Bats<\/a> 33 \u00c2\u00a0 37 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 0.471<\/strong> 11.5 1W \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a05-5<\/p>\n

Duluth Huskies<\/a> 30 \u00c2\u00a0 37 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 0.448<\/strong> 13 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 1L \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 4-6<\/p>\n

Thunder Bay Border Cats<\/a> 29 \u00c2\u00a0 40 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 0.420<\/strong> 15 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 1W \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 7-3<\/p>\n

Rochester Honkers<\/a> 25 \u00c2\u00a0 45 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 0.357<\/strong> 19.5 \u00c2\u00a01W \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a03-7<\/p>\n


\n<\/span><\/p>\n

South Division<\/a> W \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0L\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0PCT \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0GB\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0STREAK \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0LAST 10<\/div>\n

Battle Creek Bombers<\/a> 43 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a026\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a00.623<\/strong> – \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a07W\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a08-2<\/p>\n

Green Bay Bullfrogs<\/a> 42\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a027\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a00.609<\/strong> 1\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a02W\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a07-3<\/p>\n

La Crosse Loggers<\/a> 38\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a031\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a00.551<\/strong> 5\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a04W\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a07-3<\/p>\n

Madison Mallards<\/a> 37\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a032\u00c2\u00a0 0.536<\/strong> 6\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a03L\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a03-7<\/p>\n

Eau Claire Express<\/a> 36\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a034\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a00.514<\/strong> 7.5\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a03L\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a05-5<\/p>\n

Waterloo Bucks<\/a> 34 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a036 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a00.486<\/strong> 9.5\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a02W\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a04-6<\/p>\n

Wisconsin Woodchucks<\/a> 24\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a046 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a00.343<\/strong> 19.5 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a02L\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a01-9<\/p>\n

Wisconsin Rapids Rafters<\/a> 24 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a046 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a00.343<\/strong> 19.5 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a02L \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a05-5<\/p>\n


\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In 1994 a new league was born. It flew under the RADAR of many outside of the American Midwest. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[419],"class_list":["post-11767","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mlb-2","tag-northwoods-league"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11767","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11767"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11767\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11792,"href":"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11767\/revisions\/11792"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11767"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11767"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11767"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}