Expedition League Launches Team in Caldwell (Idaho)

PRESS RELEASE – The Expedition League, with 11 teams in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, and Manitoba Canada, today announced the arrival of its affiliate in Caldwell, Idaho. The Canyon County Spuds will play at Wolfe Field.

MLB Seeks Response from NYPL Teams

Major League Baseball has reportedly asked New York-Penn League teams to provide an indication whether they are interested in joining the summer wood bat league that MLB recently proposed to league members.  Read more here.  More on MLB’s affiliation revamp.

It’s the ‘Mining City Tommyknockers’

PRESS RELEASE – The Expedition League’s Butte affiliate, which will begin play in May of 2021, has announced the team’s name and unveiled the official logo. The team name is the Mining City Tommyknockers and the logo, designed by Jason Stemm of Stemm Creative, has been released. Orange, Black and Gray are the official team colors.

New Johnstown Franchise Named ‘Mill Rats’

PRESS RELEASE – The first Pennsylvanian team in the collegiate summer level Prospect League will pay tribute to that state’s blue collar heritage with its brand. The Johnstown Mill Rats’ nickname derives from a term used to describe coal miners and steel workers. The term originally had a derogatory connotation, but it’s been embraced and repurposed to reflect the grit and determination a person needs to work in those industries.

Expedition League Adds Butte to Lineup

Press Release – The Expedition League, with 10 teams in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming and Manitoba, Canada, today announced the arrival of its affiliate in Butte, Montana. The team will play at 3 Legends Stadium at the Copper Mountain Recreation Complex in Butte. 3 Legends Stadium is a beautiful ballpark that was completed in 2017.

“Name the Team” Contest Underway in Columbus (GA)

The Columbus Baseball Team is holding a “name the Columbus Baseball Team” contest, available via this Google form.  The team will be identified by Jan. 1 and will compete in the Sunbelt Baseball League.  Read more here.  Read background story here.  The team will play at Golden Park.  Thanks to Joe DeLeonard for the heads up.

Rookie Appalachian League Will Operate as Summer Collegiate Wood-Bat League

Culminating a busy week for Major League Baseball, MLB announced on Friday that the Appalachian League (Rookie) will operate as a summer wood-bat league for rising freshmen and sophomores.  Read more here.

Coastal Plain League Adds Spartanburg to Lineup

Summer baseball is returning to Spartanburg and South Carolina’s oldest ballpark. The city council Monday gave the Coastal Plain League the OK to use Duncan Park for a team of top collegiate athletes to play a 52-game season, from late May to mid-August.  Read more here.

RedWolves, City of Florence Partner on New Facility

PRESS RELEASE – The Florence RedWolves of the Coastal Plain League, along with the City of Florence (S.C.) are excited to announce a $15 million sports complex coming to Florence in 2022. This will be the new home of the RedWolves, who currently play at Cormell Field at Sparrow Stadium on the campus of Francis Marion University.

West Coast League Adds Edmonton to Lineup

PRESS RELEASE – Western North America’s premier summer collegiate baseball league continues to grow with Tuesday’s announcement from Baseball Edmonton introducing the Edmonton Riverhawks as the West Coast League’s 15th member team.

West Coast League Adds Kamloops (BC) to Lineup

PRESS RELEASE – Canada’s Tournament Capital just added another sports team to its roster, the Kamloops NorthPaws. The announcement on September 9 was surrounded by much socially distanced fanfare at Norbrock Stadium, the home of the NorthPaws when they begin play.

Ryan Voz Named as President/Commissioner of the NWL

PRESS RELEASE – Ryan Voz, co-owner of the Willmar Stingers, has been named as the 4th President/Commissioner of the Northwoods League.

Prospect League Adds Johnstown (PA) to Lineup, Name-the-Team Contest Underway

PRESS RELEASE – The Prospect League is proud to announce the addition of Johnstown, Pa. as an expansion franchise, which will begin play in the 2021 season at Sargent’s Stadium at the Point.

Lafayette Aviators Selected to Lease New Loeb Stadium

PRESS RELEASE – The City of Lafayette and Lafayette Board of Parks & Recreation are pleased to announce that the Lafayette Aviators have been named the baseball team to play in Loeb Stadium. The announcement was made during a Park Board meeting at the Loeb Stadium construction site.

West Coast Reportedly Adding Kamloops

The West Coast League (Summer Collegiate) reportedly plans to expand to Kamloops (BC), possibly beginning the 2021 season.  Read more here.  The league recently announced the naming of the new franchise in Nanaimo (BC).  Kamloops is about two hours from Kelowna (BC), the home of WCL’s Kelowna Falcons.

It’s the ‘Nanaimo NightOwls’

PRESS RELEASE – The lights, the history, the proud First Nations lore. And the world-famous dessert that helped make the City of Nanaimo a household name, all combined.

Five NWL Teams Will Begin Play July 1 in Regional ‘Minnesota-Iowa Pod’

PRESS RELEASE – Another “pod” of Northwoods League teams comprised of the Willmar Stingers, Mankato MoonDogs, Rochester Honkers, St. Cloud Rox and the Waterloo Bucks will return for play this summer starting July 1. The season for this pod will last until August 20th with the team holding the best winning percentage being declared the winner.

The NWL and Kingfish Announce Plans for 2020 Season

PRESS RELEASE – The Northwoods League and the Kenosha Kingfish are happy to announce that the Kingfish will be taking the field this summer in front of fans at Simmons Field.

Northwoods Leagues Announces Six-Team ‘Michigan Pod’ to Begin Summer Play

PRESS RELEASE – The Traverse City Pit Spitters, Kalamazoo Growlers and the Battle Creek Bombers in cooperation with the Northwoods League, announced today that baseball will be played in Traverse City, Kalamazoo and Battle Creek this summer.

Affiliated Minor League Ballparks to Host Six TCL Teams, Bringing Circuit to 10 for 2020

PRESS RELEASE – This morning at 11am in multiple cities in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana press conferences are being held to announce the return of baseball after the COVID-19 pause of the college and professional game.

Six Northwoods League Teams Will Begin Play July 1 in Regional ‘Wisconsin-Illinois Pod’

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

Bismarck Larks Add Two Teams to Play in 2020: Bismarck Bull Moose, Mandan Flickertails

PRESS RELEASE – The Bismarck Larks have made big changes to their 2020 season. The biggest change is welcoming two other Northwoods League teams to the community, the Flickertails and Bull Moose. To eliminate travel, the three teams will each play a 48-game schedule against each other for a total of 72 games at Bismarck Municipal Ballpark, home of Dakota Community Bank & Trust Field.

Kalamazoo Growlers to Temporarily Re-Brand as ‘Mac Daddies’

PRESS RELEASE – Father’s day might look a bit different for many families on June 21st due to COVID-19. The same will be said for the Kalamazoo Growlers baseball team when the team will rename itself the “Kalamazoo Mac Daddies” in honor of fathers and mac and cheese lovers. The change is a dual salute to Dad, along with Michigan’s Undeniably Dairy Mac and Cheese Festival that is still slated to be hosted at Homer Stryker Field for the 2nd year later this fall after selling out in record time in 2019.

West Coast League Cancels 2020 Season

PRESS RELEASE – This week the West Coast League’s board of directors voted to cancel its 2020 summer collegiate season, due to pandemic-related safety guidelines and travel restrictions across Washington and Oregon. Concurrently, league members Cowlitz, Port Angeles, Ridgefield, Walla Walla, and Yakima Valley are cancelling their respective seasons.

Prospect League Cancels 2020 Season

PRESS RELEASE – Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting government regulations, the Prospect League has made the heartbreaking determination to cancel the 2020 season. The decision was based on the varying guidelines for safety, protection and limits on public gatherings and travel across the five states that are home to Prospect League teams.

MINK League Cancels 2020 Season

PRESS RELEASE – Under the recommendation of MINK League Commissioner Ron Rodriguez, the league has elected to cancel the 2020 season. This decision was made due to the ongoing nationwide COVID-19 pandemic and the many uncertainties that still remain. The league prioritizes player, staff, and guest safety above all other factors.

Mallards Transforming Duck Pond Into Drive-In Theater Starting May 20

PRESS RELEASE – Take me out to the…movies? That’s right! The Madison Mallards have announced that the Duck Pond is transforming into the Duck Pond Drive-In Theater! Drive-In Theaters were just given the approval to open this week and the Duck Pond Drive-In will be the first to open in Dane County.

Summer Collegiate Seasons Canceled or Postponed, Tracker Available

Once the spring season was officially canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic and the dust began to settle on the Division I Council’s decisions about eligibility, aid and roster limits, eyes at the college level turned to summer ball as the next domino that could potentially fall.  Read more and view tracker here.

NECBL Announces Cancellation of 2020 Season

PRESS RELEASE – The New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) has announced that its board of directors, comprised of executives from its 13 member teams and officers, have voted to cancel the 2020 summer collegiate baseball season.

Expedition League Postpones Start of 2020 Season

PRESS RELEASE – The Expedition League has been closely monitoring the developments regarding COVID-19 and the corresponding directives from Federal, State and Local governmental authorities. While none of the four great states where Expedition League teams play – North Dakota,

Coastal Plain League Announces Season Delayed Until July 1

PRESS RELEASE – The Coastal Plain League and its 15 franchises released the following official statement on Wednesday, April 29th in regards to their upcoming 2020 season.

Cinco de Mayo at Witter Field

PRESS RELEASE – The Rafters are opening up the Triple Play Taqueria for a Cinco de Mayo special! The Taqueria will be open from 11:00am – 6:00pm on Tuesday, May 5th. Please call ahead and place your order to pick up at Witter Field. Orders will be taken starting April 30th through May 5th at 5:30pm and must be placed before entering the gates of Witter Field. Orders can be placed by calling the Rafters Front Office at 715-424-5400 or emailing info@raftersbaseball.com.

Goldpanners Cancel Season, Midnight Sun Game

The Alaska Goldpanners (Summer Collegiate) have canceled their 2020 season due to coronavirus, marking the first summer since 1960 without Goldpanner baseball in Fairbanks (AK).  The 115th annual Midnight Sun Game, a baseball game played the night of the summer solstice without the use of artificial light, also has been canceled.  Read more here.

Cape Cod League Votes to Cancel 2020 Season

PRESS RELEASE – The Cape Cod Baseball League Executive Committee has voted unanimously to cancel the 2020 Cape Cod Baseball League season. The decision was based on the health concerns and safety needs of all involved. Following CDC guidelines and medical recommendations, the league determined it would be impossible to guarantee the safety of players, coaches, umpires, host families, volunteers and fans during this unprecedented health crisis.

Bellingham Bells Cancel Season, West Coast League Prepares to Play

Oconomowoc Council Approves Ballpark Plans

In case you missed the news, Oconomowoc (WI) is getting a new baseball stadium.  The city’s Common Council has unanimously approved plans to build a 2,500-seat baseball stadium for a Northwoods League (Summer Collegiate) franchise and a 43,000 square foot indoor health and wellness training center.  Read more here.

WCL Adds Nanaimo to Lineup

PRESS RELEASE – The WCL, which is currently made up of 12 teams including Canadian entries in Victoria and Kelowna, is expanding to 13 teams with the addition of Nanaimo. The to-be-named club’s inaugural season is set for 2021. Nanaimo will play its home games at  Serauxmen Stadium.

Timber Rattlers to Host Summer Collegiate Teams for Inaugural Showcase

The summer collegiate Fond du Lac Dock Spiders and the Madison Mallards will play in the inaugural Northwoods League “Road to the Show Minor League Classic” at Neuroscience Group Field, home of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Single-A, Midwest League), on Wednesday, June 24.  This will be the first Northwoods League game played in a current minor league stadium.  Read more and watch news report here.

Going Bananas for Ad-Free Ballpark

PRESS RELEASE – The Savannah Bananas have announced that Grayson Stadium will become the first known stadium to go completely Ad-Free. Starting this season, Bananas fans will not see any billboards or signage featured in the stadium.

Lafayette Exploring Team Options for New Ballpark

When the new Loeb Stadium, going up at the corner of Main Street and Wallace Avenue in Columbian Park, opens, what baseball team will take the mound at the $20 million facility during its first full summer in 2021?  Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski isn’t making any promises.  Read more here