Posts Tagged ‘Northwoods League’
Friday, August 10th, 2012
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (Aug. 9, 2012) — Friday, Aug. 10 is Schierl Tire & Service Night at Witter Field and the Rafters will be wearing blue and white jerseys, which will be auctioned off during the game. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Wood and Portage County.
Starting today, you can submit an online bid for as many jerseys (starting at $40) and hats (starting at $15) as you’d like, that will carry over into Friday’s game on Aug. 10, during which fans will have the chance to match and continue to bid in-person. New for this auction will be a “Buy Now” option. Any fan that places a bid of $100 on any jersey or hat will automatically be awarded the said item. The auction will end with the last out in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Aug. 10 game and winners will be announced in the 8th inning. Winners do not need to be in attendance, but it is recommended. ($5 will be added for shipped orders)
Proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Wood and Portage County.
To place your bid please follow these steps:
1) Click on the link “BID Jersey” beside the player’s name on raftersbaseball.com
2) Your email program will then open a new message
3) In the body of that email please include: the player’s name, the dollar amount of your bid, your name & your phone number!
example: Jake Martin, $125, John Fanta, (715) xxx-xxxx
4) Bid as many times as you’d like on as many jerseys and hats as you wish! (Remember, bids less than $40 for jerseys and less than $15 for hats won’t be used!)
*Please note: Backside of the Blue and White uniforms will show the player’s number only.
**Upon completion of the game, each player will sign his jersey and/or hat (if desired) and a member of the Rafters staff will bring those items to the Rafthouse Team Shop. At that time payment will be needed to obtain said item. Please be patient as over 50 transactions will need to be run immediately following the game. For faster processing, please bring cash.
***Also, please indicate if you do not want the item autographed in your e-mail.
The gates will open at 6:05 p.m. on Friday with the first pitch slated for 7:05. Good Luck!
The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are members of the 16-team summer collegiate Northwoods League. The Rafters play a 70 game schedule with 35 home games in 2012.
Tags: Northwoods League, Schierl Tire & Service, Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
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Thursday, August 9th, 2012
ROCHESTER, Minn. (Aug. 8, 2012)—Shjon Podein, a Rochester, Minn. native who played 11 seasons in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues, will serve as the final Celebrity Server this Saturday, August 11 at Mayo Field when the Rochester Honkers take on the St. Cloud Rox. Fans can look for Shjon as he “serves” your favorite beverages out on the sports deck at Mayo Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM. Gates open at 6:00 PM and tailgating begins at 5:00 PM.
Podein made his NHL debut in the 1992-93 season with the Edmonton Oilers. The left winger later signed a free agent deal with the Philadelphia Flyers in 1994 where he went on to play five seasons and over 300 games.
Podein was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in 1998 where he aided in winning a Stanley Cup. After winning game seven to capture the title, Podein didn’t take his uniform off for a full day, which is something he is remembered for in the hockey world.
Podein is also known for his charity work. Shjon founded the “Shjon Podein Children’s Foundation”, which assists sick and underprivileged children, and was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2001, an annual honor given to the NHL player who shows outstanding leadership qualities on and off the ice and who makes a significant difference in his community.
Podein is a graduate of John Marshall High School and a former hockey player at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He is now the current head hockey coach at St. Louis Park High School in St. Louis Park, Minn.
Tags: NHL, Northwoods League, Rochester Honkers, Shjon Podein, Stanley Cup
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Wednesday, August 8th, 2012
 Malachi Moore, 2011 NWL Umpire The Northwoods League prides itself on developing college baseball players and preparing them for a future in baseball. Players get the opportunity to play in a league with a minor league atmosphere and feel in order to prepare them for what might be in store after they get drafted. The process for umpires in baseball isn’t that much different.
Many of the umpires that come to the Northwoods League are just as young as the players themselves and have the same goals. They want to get into minor league baseball with a chance to get to the major league level. Malachi Moore was an NWL umpire in 2011 and is one example of a guy trying to make his dream come true. For more on Malachi Moore, check out Doug Miller’s article on mlb.com.
Tags: Malachi Moore, MLB, Northwoods League, Umpires
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Friday, August 3rd, 2012
 The Northwoods League All-Star Game took place in Madison, Wis. on July 24. A little more than 6,000 fans packed Warner Park to watch the North Division All-Stars and South Division All-Stars battle for bragging rights. It was Madison’s second time hosting the event in four years.
The “Duck Pond” is a great atmosphere for baseball and one of the great venues of the Northwoods League and it doesn’t go unnoticed to visitors of the ballpark. Perfectgame.org’s Patrick Ebert took in the 2012 All-Star Game in Madison and shared his thoughts on the event and venue in his article, “The Northwoods crown jewel”.
The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any other Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America. The League has 16 teams in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, and Ontario.
Tags: All-Star Game, Madison, Northwoods League, Patrick Ebert, perfectgame.org, Warner Park
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Thursday, August 2nd, 2012
Madison, Wis. (August 1, 2012) — The Madison Mallards are excited to announce the additions of Wisconsin gridiron legends Al Toon and Bill Schroeder to the annual MLB and Mallards Alumni Game. The two former wide receivers are set to join Lee Smith, George Foster and other MLB greats on Saturday, August 4 at the “Duck Pond.”
Schroeder is remembered for the years that he spent with the Green Bay Packers as a wide receiver from 1997-2001. During his five seasons in Green Bay, Schroeder accumulated a total of 3,435 receiving yards and 20 touchdown receptions. Being an Eau Claire native and having played his college football at UW-La Crosse, Schroeder quickly became a fan favorite of the Packer faithful.
Toon ranks as the most accomplished receiver in Wisconsin Badgers history, and one of the most storied athletes in Big Ten lore. Upon graduating from UW in 1984, Toon set school records in receptions (131), touchdown receptions (19) and receiving yards (2,103). He was also known as an incredible track athlete as well, earning All-American honors in the triple jump in 1983 and 1984. Toon’s mark on the athletic program earned him a spot in the UW athletics hall of fame in 1995.
The two serve as tremendous additions to an already stacked field that includes past MLB legends Rob Deer, Ben Oglivie, Jason Jacome and Brad Woodall. First pitch of the MLB and Mallards Alumni Game is scheduled for 7:05 pm.
The Mallards return to the “Duck Pond” on Sunday, August 5 to start a five game series with the Lakeshore Chinooks (14-10, 31-28). That night will be Marshfield Clinic Susan G. Komen for the Cure Night and Princess Millie Bobblehead Night at the ballpark.
The Madison Mallards are part of the 16-team Northwoods League. The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any other Summer Collegiate League in North America.
Tags: Al Toon, Bill Schroeder, George Foster, Green Bay Packers, Lee Smith, Madison Mallards, Northwoods League, Wisconsin Badgers
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Wednesday, August 1st, 2012
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (July 30, 2012) — Forget everything you know about the Battle of the Bulge, the Battle of the Alamo and the Battle for the Little Brown Jug; with the season winding down and the playoff picture not favoring the Battle Creek Bombers nor the Eau Claire Express, the two teams have found a new motivation to play for: The NWL Clash of the Ex-Titans.
In 2010, the Eau Claire Express were the toast of the Northwoods League as they posted a 52-24 record and defeated the Rochester Honkers in a three-game series to become the Northwoods League Champions for the first time in team history. Perfect Game Baseball named the Express the Summer League Team of the Year and Dale Varsho was named NWL Manager of the Year.
Similarly, the 2011 Battle Creek Bombers dominated the Northwoods League in route to a 47-26 overall record and became the Summer Collegiate World Series Champs. The Bombers finished the season ranked 9th nationally and completed the biggest turnaround in Northwood League History. Donnie Scott, the manager of the Bombers, won NWL Manager of the Year honors and the Bombers sent five players to the All-Star game.
With each team currently owning the same 20-36 overall record, Bombers General Manager Brian Colopy and Express General Manager Andy Neborak have negotiated a wager that includes the two former “Titans of the League”. The team’s GM that owns the worst record heading into the final game of the season on August 12 at C.O. Brown Stadium will have to wear the other teams Jersey and Hat and be the opposing team’s batboy for the game. Additionally, the team with the best record will win the Official Clash of the Titans Trophy. The Clash of the Titans competition began being tracked starting on July 30 and will finish August 11.
“I have complete confidence in our team and have no doubt that our guys will continue to fight over these next 2 weeks to put Mr. Neborak on a bus and over to the Creek for the final game of the season. We are preparing the official bat boy jersey for him as we speak.” said Bombers GM Brian Colopy.
“The talent we have on our team along with our encouraging play recently has me confident that our team will end the year on a strong note. I’m sure that Mr. Colopy will look great wearing Express orange on his own turf,” stated Express GM Andy Neborak.
The Battle Creek Bombers and Eau Claire Express are members of the prestigious Northwoods League that has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any other summer collegiate baseball league in North America.
Tags: Battle Creek Bombers, Eau Claire Express, Northwoods League
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Saturday, July 28th, 2012
LA CROSSE, Wis. (July 28, 2012) – The La Crosse Loggers baseball club has been and continues to celebrate its 10-year anniversary season in 2012 and will do so in a very big way this Saturday night when the 1,000,000th fan walks through the turnstiles at Copeland Park.
Since the Loggers inception in 2003, they have ranked second nationally in summer collegiate attendance in each of their ten years of existence, trailing only the Madison Mallards. La Crosse is once again on pace to draw over 100,000 fans for the eighth consecutive season as they are currently averaging over 2,900 fans per opening.
The Loggers broke a Northwoods League expansion team record in 2003 when they drew 86,991 fans over 32 openings (2,718/game). From 2004 through 2011, La Crosse then averaged near or above 3,000 fans/game during each of those eight seasons.
Add all of that up and The Lumberyard is ready to welcome in the 1,000,000th fan in Loggers history on Saturday night, July 28 when La Crosse plays host to the Battle Creek Bombers at 6:05 p.m. Gates open at 5 and a celebration and large prize package awaits whomever becomes lucky number 1 million.
The One Millionth Fan in Loggers History will receive …
- 1,000,000th Fan Jersey
- $100 Kwik Card
- $500 Cash
- Ceremonial First Pitch for a Select Game
- FREE 2013 Season Ticket
- Free Logger Dogs for a Season (1/game – 2013)
- Autographed Team Ball & Bat – 2012 Team
- Brett Jackson Autographed Baseball
- Dinner & Treats from Dairy Queen/Texas Roadhouse
- “Logger Experience”: Batting Practice with the Team, Present Lineup Card with Coach McKay for a Select Game, Race in a Leinenkugel’s Beer Bottle, Spend an Inning On Air with John Pappadopolous, Enjoy a Post-Game Meal with Players
The Loggers were also first-half Southern Division Champs this season and will be taking part in the 2012 Northwoods League Divisional Playoffs on August 13-15. Tickets are available online at www.lacrosseloggers.com or by calling the Loggers ticket office at 608-796-9553.
Tags: La Crosse Loggers, Northwoods League
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Thursday, July 26th, 2012
 Carrie Tollefson, photo courtesy of Willmar Stingers. WILLMAR, Minn. (July 25, 2012) — Former Olympians and Minnesota natives Carrie Tollefson and Brad Rheingans will be on hand at the Willmar Stingers’ July 31 game against the Rochester Honkers as part of Olympics Night presented by Central Minnesota Christian School.
In honor of the 2012 Olympic Games taking place in London, the Bee Hive will be home to the Stingers Olympics, complete with opening and closing ceremonies, Olympic events, gold, silver and bronze medals and a host of Olympic-themed music and decorations. The game Tuesday is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Tollefson is a distance runner who competed in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece after winning the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 1500-meter run that year. A native of Dawson, Minn., Tollefson won her first Minnesota state cross country high school title as an eighth grader. She won four more, setting a state record for consecutive wins. By the time she left Dawson, Carrie had thirteen Minnesota state high school titles in track and cross country to her name.
Tollefson’s success continued at the collegiate ranks. At Villanova, she won the 1998 NCAA Cross Country individual title for the Wildcats before becoming the first woman to win titles at both the 3000-meter and 5000-meter runs at the same NCAA Outdoor Championship. In total, Tollefson claimed five NCAA Championships during her time at Villanova. Later in her career, Tollefson claimed national titles in the U.S. Indoor 3000 meter and the U.S. Four-Kilometer Cross Country Championship in 2006. Tollefson now resides in St. Paul and had a daughter, Ruby Anne Peterson, along with her husband Charlie Peterson in April 2010.
Rheingans was an NCAA champion wrestler in 1975 for North Dakota State before taking fourth place in the 220-pound weight class at the 1976 Olympics. Under today’s Olympic scoring system, Rheingans would have qualified for the gold-medal match. A native of Appleton, Minn., Rheingans also qualified for the Olympic team in 1980 but did not compete due to the United States boycott. In 1984, he served as an assistant coach at the Olympic Games held in Los Angeles.
Rheingans received NCAA All-American honors in 1975 and was a two-time U.S. Senior Greco-Roman Champion in his career. He entered the professional ranks of wrestling in 1983. Billed as “The Olympians,” Rheingans combined with former Olympic weightlifter Ken Patera in 1984 to win the AWA tag-team championship. In addition to coaching amateur wrestlers throughout his career, Rheingans also trained numerous professional wrestlers, including Justin Bradshaw and “Vader” Leon White. Rheingans’ school appeared on “The Best Damn Sports Show Period” in 2003. He was inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2004.
Tags: Accardo, Brad Rheingans, Central Minnesota Christian School, Northwoods League, Olympics, Rochester Honkers, Willmar Stingers
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Thursday, July 19th, 2012
 Lakeshore Chinooks' Ryan Krill (center) and his hosts, the McCarthy family: Romy (from left), Brendan, and their twins, Brynn and Keagan. Photo by Kristyna Wentz-Graff, Milwaukee-Journal Sentinel MEQUON, Wis. (July 14, 2012) — There are a lot of people that make Northwoods League teams function every summer. You, of course, have the owners, general managers, interns, coaches and the players themselves. However, there’s one very special group of people who often get overlooked when it comes to the success of summer leagues like the NWL: the host families.
Almost all players are hosted by complete strangers when they come into the NWL to play. It becomes a home away from home for a lot of these players. These families give up a lot for three months to make sure these players have everything they need when they come home every night from the field. Without them, a league like the NWL would be nearly impossible to stay successful.
For one story of a host family and their player, we invite you to read an excellent article done by Bill Glauber of the Milwaukee-Journal Sentinel on Lakeshore Chinooks’ first baseman Ryan Krill and the McCarthy family. And if you see a host family at your local ballpark, be sure to give them a thank you for contributing to the success of the Northwoods League.
Tags: Baseball, Lakeshore Chinooks, Mequon, Michigan State, Milwaukee, Milwaukee-Journal Sentinel, Northwoods League, Wisconsin
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Monday, July 2nd, 2012
 ROCHESTER, Minn. (July 2, 2012) — Two Northwoods League players from 2011 and one from 2012 received a high honor last week when they were named to the USA Collegiate National Baseball Team. Rochester’s Bret Hambright (Oregon), La Crosse’s Dan Child (Oregon State) and Madison’s Jose Trevino (Oral Roberts) were named to the 2012 roster.
Hambright, who was a redshirt senior at Oregon in 2012, played in the first six games for the USA team. In eleven at bats, Hambright had three hits, three runs scored and an RBI.
The two-time MLB draft pick (34th round by Phillies in 2007 and 38th round by Rockies in 2009) played in 34 games with the Rochester Honkers in 2011. Hambright batted .248 with two home runs and 14 RBI. On July 12, 2011 against the St. Cloud River Bats, the Corona, CA native went 2 for 2 with a homerun, three runs scored, and four RBIs in a 10-9 Honkers victory.
Child played for the La Crosse Loggers of the Northwoods League in 2011. He pitched in 18 games, amassing 42.1 innings pitched. He finished with a record of 3-2 with a 1.06 ERA. He also had five saves with 34 strikeouts. Child was named to the 2011 postseason All-Star Team. In 106.2 innings pitched for the Beavers in 2012, Child went 6-4 with a 2.95 ERA and 79 strikeouts.
So far this season, Trevino is hitting .225 with three home runs and 10 RBI for the Mallards and is an alternate for Team USA who is playing an exhibition schedule currently against teams from the Summer Collegiate Coastal Plains League. In four games so far, he has gone 3-10 with five RBI.
Trevino was the leading hitter at Oral Roberts this season as he started all 63 games for the Golden Eagles while posting a .317 batting average with 13 home runs and 57 RBI. Following the season he was named a Louisville Slugger Second Team Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball.
The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any other Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America. The League has 16 teams in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, and Ontario. The is its 19th season.
Tags: La Crosse Loggers, Madison Mallards, Northwoods League, Rochester Honkers, USA National Baseball Team
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