Northwoods League expands to 25 Teams, Continues Rise as Collegiate Baseball Powerhouse
St. Cloud,MN – Teh Northwoods League,a premier summer baseball league for collegiate athletes,announced today the addition of a 25th franchise in Richmond,Indiana,slated to begin play in 2026. This expansion builds on recent growth that saw the league add teams in Royal Oak, Michigan, and Dickinson, North Dakota, for the 2024 season, solidifying its position as the nation’s largest summer collegiate baseball league.
Founded with a vision for developing top talent, the northwoods League has become a crucial stepping stone for players aspiring to reach the Major Leagues. While the Cape Cod League maintains a reputation for prestige in player recruitment, the Northwoods League boasts an increasingly impressive track record of producing MLB stars.
Notably, both Max Scherzer and Chris Sale, pitchers for the 2017 MLB All-Star team, honed their skills with the La Crosse Loggers early in their careers, and continue to excel in the majors eight years later. This success story exemplifies the league’s impact on player advancement.
The league currently operates with a 72-game schedule running from late May to early August, allowing for extensive player development opportunities. Scott Schreiner, General Manager of the st. Cloud Rox, notes the evolving roster dynamics, stating that current rosters have expanded to 39 players to accommodate varying college season schedules and player availability.”there was a time when rosters were 25 players. Now it’s 39, to cover players getting here late from their college seasons or going back early – because of innings pitched, or just the wear of going directly from a college season to our leagues,” Schreiner explained.
the St. Cloud Rox recently clinched the best record in the Great Plains Division at 47-21 and are entering the playoffs. While teams like the Willmar Stingers have faced challenges with roster consistency as the season progresses, the league continues to provide a high level of competition and entertainment for fans, as evidenced by a recent crowd of 1,801 at Joe Faber field.
The Northwoods League’s continued expansion and commitment to player development signal a luminous future for the league and the collegiate athletes it serves.
