| Northwoods League | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Sport | Baseball |
| Founded | 1994 |
| No. of teams | 14 |
| Country(ies) |  United States Canada |
| Most recent champion(s) | St. Cloud River Bats |
| Official website | www.northwoodsleague.com |
The Northwoods League is an Summer Collegiate Baseball Association sanctioned summer baseball league comprising teams of the top college players from North America and beyond. All players in the league must have NCAA eligibility remaining in order to participate. Players are not paid so as to maintain their college eligibility. Teams are run similar to a professional minor league team, providing players an opportunity to play under the same conditions using wooden bats and minor league specification baseballs. The Northwoods League draws more fans to its games than any other Summer Collegiate Baseball League. Several of the teams in the league play in ballparks formerly occupied by professional clubs from the Midwest League and the Northern League. The wooden bat circuit allows communities deemed too small for pro ball to continue to enjoy high quality, competitive baseball during the summer months.
Contents |
Teams for the 2007 season
Potential expansion
Two frequently mentioned expansion posibilities are Bismarck, North Dakota [1] and Pewaukee, Wisconsin (a Milwaukee suburb) [2].
Notable Northwoods League Alumni
Major Leaguers
- Jeremy Accardo, Alexandria Beetles, 2001
- Clint Barmes, Kenosha Kroakers, 1998, Waterloo Bucks, 1999
- Joe Bisenius, Duluth Huskies, 2003
- T.J. Bohn, Brainerd Mighty Gulls, 2001
- Mike Burns, Brainerd Mighty Gulls, 1998-1999
- Matt Cepicky, Waterloo Bucks, 1997
- Jermaine Clark, Kenosha Kroakers, 1995
- Chris Demaria, St. Cloud River Bats, 2000-2001
- Andy Dominique, Kenosha Kroakers, 1995
- Jeff Duncan, Waterloo Bucks, 1998
- Andre Ethier, Rochester Honkers, 2002
- Dave Gassner, Wausau Woodchucks, 1998
- Jay Gibbons, Manitowoc Skunks, 1996-1997
- Tom Gorzelanny, St. Cloud River Bats, 2001
- Tim Gradoville, Waterloo Bucks, 2001
- Curtis Granderson, Mankato Mashers, 2001
- Jack Hannahan, Mankato Mashers, 1999
- Justin Huisman, St. Cloud River Bats, 1998
- Casey Janssen, Wisconsin Woodchucks, 2001
- Jimmy Journell, Waterloo Bucks, 1997, 1999
- Bobby Kielty, Kenosha Kroakers, 1996
- Ian Kinsler, Madison Mallards, 2002
- Mark Lowe, Wisconsin Woodchucks, 2002-2003
- Jay Marshall, Rochester Honkers, 2002
- Paul McAnulty, Mankato Mashers, 2001
- Pat Neshek, Wisconsin Woodchucks, 2000
- Wes Obermueller, Wausau Woodchucks, 1995, Waterloo Bucks, 1996-1997
- Val Pascucci, Rochester Honkers, 1998
- Juan Pierre, Manitowoc Skunks, 1996
- Robb Quinlan, Dubuque Mud Puppies, 1996, St. Cloud River Bats, 1998
- Erasmo Ramirez, Kenosha Kroakers, 1995
- Mike Rouse, Brainerd Mighty Gulls, 1999
- Shawn Sedlacek, Dubuque Mud Puppies, 1996
- George Sherrill, Kenosha Kroakers, 1997
- Ryan Spilborghs, Madison Mallards, 2001
- Jeff Weaver, Dubuque Mud Puppies, 1995
- Josh Willingham, Austin Southern Minny Stars, 1998-1999
- Ben Zobrist, Wisconsin Woodchucks, 2003
Umpiring
The Northwoods League, in addition to being a developmental league for players and coaches, is also a developmental league for umpires. The concentrated game schedule, travel, and Minor League-like game conditions give NWL umpires a pre-professional seasoning unparalleled in all of baseball. 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 curriculums have been approved by the Professional Baseball Umpire Corps. (PBUC): Jim Evans' Academy of Professional Baseball Umpiring 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 employs seven two-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. Umpires are salaried and are provided hotel accommodations, meals and travel.
