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Five Wisconsin based NWL teams start play tonight

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COVID-19 has forced the cancellation of a month’s worth of NorthWoods League games already and three Wisconsin based teams (Madison Muskies, Eau Claire Express, Lake Shore Chinooks) have announced the end of their seasons.

But, the league still has some survivors.  Five Wisconsin based teams will open their seasons tonight.  The La Crosse Loggers will open their season against the Rockford Rivets in Rockford.  The Wisconsin Woodchucks open their season in Fond du Lac against the Dock Spiders.  And the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters begin play in Green Bay against the Booyah.

The Northwoods League is playing games in regional groups to support a safe return to baseball this summer. The Wisconsin/Illinois region will play from July 1-August 20, followed by a 2-day playoff.

The collegiate summer wood bats league is made up of 22 teams and is in its 27th season.

Six Northwoods League teams to start play July 1st

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Another “pod” of Northwoods League teams comprised of the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders, Green Bay Booyah, La Crosse Loggers, Rockford Rivets, Wisconsin Rapids Rafters and Wisconsin Woodchucks will return for play this summer starting July 1st.

The season for this pod will last until August 20th, and will be capped with a two-day, pod playoff series.  The six teams, working in consultation with state and local officials, have developed a plan for safe operation in their respective locations, and the teams look forward to welcoming fans back.

To ensure the safety of all Fond du Lac Dock Spider fans, staff, and players, new guidelines have been established for Marian University’s Herr-Baker Field.  The guidelines include cleaning and social distancing protocols.  Capacity will be 25% of the normal stadium capacity and all family groups will be seated at least six feet away from other families/individuals.

With additional teams in the region still working through the possibility of opening later in July, this “pod” could expand before the season’s end.

Single game tickets for the abbreviated 2020 season will go on sale next week.

Minor League teams waiting for season to be canceled (AUDIO)

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Fox Cities Stadium

As Major League Baseball and the players association continue to negotiate a possible return to the field this summer, minor league teams have been left behind with little hope of a baseball season.

The Milwaukee Brewers single-A affiliate, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are among the teams around the country that are expecting to hear of a cancellation to the season soon.

Timber Rattlers President Rob Zerjav told WRN on Monday that there’s no way minor league teams could have a season without fans in the stands.  Zerjav said they’re already losing money and it would be worse playing games without fans.

The Timber Rattlers officially opened back up on Monday, but Zerjav said they’re focussing their efforts on finding other ways to generate revenue, other than playing baseball games.

The Timber Rattlers home field (Fox Cities Stadium) has banquet facilities and has hosted weddings in the past.  They’re cooking up fish fry’s on Friday nights and doing other meal deals for fans.  They also own and manage the Northwoods League team in Fond du lac (Dock Spiders) and Zerjav is confident that team will start play on July 1.

In the meantime, the Rattlers are waiting for Major League Baseball to pull the plug on their season.  Zerjav said it’s not a matter of if, but more likely when.

AUDIO: Rob Zerjav said there’s too many things stacked against minor league teams to play this season :15

AUDIO: Rob Zerjav says they can’t afford to play games without fans :07

AUDIO: Rob Zerjav said it hasn’t happened yet, but cancellation is pretty much a done deal :09

Northwoods League Opening Day Scoreboard

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Opening Day NL Scores on 5/28/30

Madison 11, Kokomo 1
Waterloo 7, La Crosse 3
Wisconsin 10, Kenosha 5
Lake Shore 8, Battle Creek 3
Fond du Lac 5, Kalamazoo 4
Traverse City 2, Green Bay 1
Bismarck 15, Eau Claire 2

Wisconsin Rapids at Rockford ppd

 

Northwoods League Scoreboard Update

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Justin Watland tosses 2-hitter for the Mallards.

The Madison Mallards (21-6) cruised to a 10-3 win over the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters Monday night in the sixth game of their seven game road swing.

Starting pitcher Justin Watland (San Jose State) allowed only two bloop hits and one unearned run in seven innings of work against the Rafters, walking none and fanning seven.  Watland has now spun 17 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run.

With Kalamazoo’s 7-4 loss at Fond Du Lac, the Mallards now have a two-game lead over the Growlers with nine left to play in the first half of the Northwoods League.

Monday’s Scores

La Crosse 8, Thunder Bay 1
Green Bay 14, Battle Creek 0
Eau Claire 8, Duluth 4
Lake Shore 2, Rockford 1
Fond du Lac 7, Kalamazoo 4
Madison 10, Wisconsin Rapids 3
Kenosha 6, Wisconsin 4
Madison 10, Wisconsin Rapids 3

Mallards Push Win Streak To Eleven

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More late-inning heroics for the Madison Mallards (13-3) on Wednesday night.  The Mallards won their 11th straight game when Tyler Plantier hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth.

The Mallards trailed 4-0 early but stormed back to beat the Lake Shore Chinooks 6-5, sealing their fifth straight series sweep.

Madison continues its home stand tonight when they host the Green Bay Bullfrogs at Warner Park (7:05 p.m.).

Northwoods League Scoreboard

Green Bay 8, Rockford 7
Kenosha 10, Wisconsin Rapids 4
Fond du Lac 10, Battle Creek 3
Kalamazoo 3, Wisconsin 2
Wilmar 3, Eau Claire 1
Rochester 4, La Crosse 3

 

Northwoods League well represented in 2018 MLB Draft

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The 2018 Major League First-Year Player Draft took a big dip into the Northwoods League this year.  According to league figures, a total of 163 current Northwoods League players and alumni were selected in this year’s draft.

The highest selection was Rico Hoerner, a junior shortstop from Stanford.  Hoerner was picked in the 1st round by the Chicago Cubs with the 24th overall pick.  Hoerner played for the Madison Mallards in 2016.

Of the 163 players drafted, 40 of them had played in the Northwoods League Major League Dreams Showcase.  The Major League Dreams Showcase brings together 100 of the Northwoods League’s top prospects to form four teams for a day of scouting workouts and double-header action.  Played in front of Major League scouts, the Showcase provides an invaluable platform for players looking to one day make it into the professional ranks.

The Rochester Honkers had a league high, 21 players drafted this year.  The highest pick for the Honkers came in the 9th round, when Nebraska outfielder Scott Schreiber (Kimberly, WI) was taken by the Houston Astros.

The Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros had the most selections of Northwoods League players as they each selected nine.  Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Seattle were next with seven NWL players selected each.

Madison hosting Major League Dreams Showcase

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Madison is hosting the Major League Dreams Showcase today as 100 of the Northwoods League’s top prospects form four teams for a day of scouting workouts and double-header action.

The two games will be played in front of major league scouts.  The Showcase provides a platform for players looking to one day make it into the professional ranks.  The players are hand-selected by a panel of major league scouts, distinguishing the event from the more traditional All-Star Game format that features representatives from every team.

For the baseball fan, the Showcase provides a glimpse of the country’s elite collegiate baseball talent.

Double-header action starts at 4:05 p.m. today at The “Duck Pond” at Warner Park in Madison.

Rafters capture Summer Collegiate World Series

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Northwoods League LogoAfter six years of sub-.500 finishes and 507 total games, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (53-23, 4-0) erased their prolonged frustrations with an 11-4 rout of the Eau Claire Express (47-29, 2-2) to sweep the Summer Collegiate World Series and clinch the first Northwoods League Championship in franchise history.

The Rafters exploded for six runs in the sixth inning and coasted to victory.