About the Northwoods League

The Northwoods League is the largest summer baseball league in North America. Comprised of 16 teams with the top college players from across the nation, the Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any other Summer Collegiate Baseball League.  The League's 16 affiliates are located throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, and Ontario. All players in the league must have NCAA eligibility remaining in order to participate and are not paid (this preserves their NCAA eligibility).

Each team is operated similarly to a professional minor league team, providing players the opportunity to use wooden bats, play with minor league specification baseballs, experience overnight road trips, and play nightly in front of large crowds.

During the regular school year when the players are on their university teams, they use composite aluminum bats. Wood Bat Leagues allow players who have aspirations to play professional baseball the opportunity to get experience playing with wood bats. It also allows scouts from Major League Baseball teams to see how hitters fare with wood bats.

•    Since its inception in 1994, 95 Northwoods League alumni have made it to the Major League level.  Some notable alumni include (listed along with their position and current Major League team):

•      Curtis Granderson-OF-New York Yankees
•      Andre Ethier-OF-Los Angeles Dodgers
•      Jordan Zimmermann-RHP-Washington Nationals
•      Juan Pierre-OF-Miami Marlins
•      Ben Zobrist-IF-Tampa Bay Rays
•      Chris Sale-LHP-Chicago White Sox
•      Max Scherzer-RHP-Detroit Tigers
•      Josh Willingham-OF-Minnesota Twins
•      Lucas Duda-OF-New York Mets
•      Daniel Descalso-IF-St. Louis Cardinals
•      Allen Craig-OF-St. Louis Cardinals
•      Eric Thames-OF-Seattle Mariners
•      Rob Brantly-C-Miami Marlins
•      Clint Barmes-IF-Pittsburgh Pirates
•      Jack Hannahan-IF-Cincinnati Reds
•      Mark Melancon-RHP-Boston Red Sox
•      Brandon Crawford-IF-San Francisco Giants
•      Andy Dirks-OF-Detroit Tigers
•      Sam LeCure-RHP-Cincinnati Reds
•      Jordan Pacheco-UTIL-Colorado Rockies
•      Brett Jackson-OF-Chicago Cubs
•      Casey Janssen-RHP-Toronto Blue Jays
•      Drew Smyly-LHP-Detroit Tigers

•    The Northwoods League leads all collegiate summer leagues throughout the country in attendance year in and year out giving players the opportunity to play in front of appreciative crowds.
•    Over 170 players who played in the Northwoods League were drafted in the Major League Baseball Draft last year.
•    The league is spread out through the Midwest with sixteen teams in four different states as well as a franchise in Thunder Bay, Canada.
•    It is also a “proving grounds” for umpires as forty-four Northwoods League umpires have joined the professional ranks.
•    The schedule and franchises are patterned after minor league baseball, preparing players to advance to the next level.  The Northwoods League season consists of 70 games in 76 days, an All-Star Game, and playoffs.  The League is divided into two, eight-team divisions—North and South.
•    The Northwoods League season is split into two halves.  Each division winner from the first half competes against the winner of the second half in a three game Division Series.  The North Division Champion competes against the South Division Champion in a three-game "Summer Collegiate World Series" to determine a Northwoods League Champion.

For more information on the Northwoods League visit www.northwoodsleague.com.