Northwoods League
Tier 1
Midwest
Wood Bat
Overview
Founded in 1994, the Northwoods League (NWL) is the largest organized baseball league in the world and the first for-profit summer collegiate wood-bat league. It features 26 teams divided into two divisions (Great Lakes and Great Plains), each with East and West sub-divisions. The season runs 72 games from late May to mid-August, split into two halves, followed by playoffs: sub-divisional winners play best-of-three series, then single-game divisional championships, culminating in a one-game league championship. The league emphasizes player development for NCAA-eligible college athletes, with over 370 MLB alumni (e.g., Max Scherzer, Chris Sale, Pete Alonso). It operates in the Upper Midwest and Canada, drawing 1.3+ million fans annually, with revenue from sponsors, tickets, and concessions. Games are broadcast via NWL+ streaming. The league also runs a softball division since 2024, but the core focus is baseball.
Teams (26)
Badlands Big Sticks
📍 Dickinson, ND
Battle Creek Battle Jacks
📍 Battle Creek, MI
Bismarck Larks
📍 Bismarck, ND
Duluth Huskies
📍 Duluth, MN
Eau Claire Express
📍 Eau Claire, WI
Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
📍 Fond du Lac, WI
Green Bay Rockers
📍 Ashwaubenon, WI
Kalamazoo Growlers
📍 Kalamazoo, MI
Kenosha Kingfish
📍 Kenosha, WI
Kokomo Jackrabbits
📍 Kokomo, IN
La Crosse Loggers
📍 La Crosse, WI
Lakeshore Chinooks
📍 Mequon, WI
Madison Mallards
📍 Madison, WI
Mankato MoonDogs
📍 Mankato, MN
Minnesota Mud Puppies
📍 Shakopee, MN
Minot Hot Tots
📍 Minot, ND
Rochester Honkers
📍 Rochester, MN
Rockford Rivets
📍 Loves Park, IL
Royal Oak Leprechauns
📍 Royal Oak, MI
St. Cloud Rox
📍 St. Cloud, MN
Thunder Bay Border Cats
📍 Thunder Bay, ON
Traverse City Pit Spitters
📍 Traverse City, MI
Waterloo Bucks
📍 Waterloo, IA
Wausau Woodchucks
📍 Wausau, WI
Willmar Stingers
📍 Willmar, MN
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
📍 Wisconsin Rapids, WI
2026 Season
Tryouts
Northwoods League 2026 Tryout
📅 Date: March 27, 2026
📍 Location: Midwest, USA
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 1994
- Teams
- 26
- Age Range
- College