Northwoods League Announces 2016 All-Star Selections, Jipping to Represent Battle Creek Bombers

Bombers’ Daniel Jipping (Central Michigan) chosen to play for the South Division

 

Battle Creek, Mich. — The Northwoods League has announced the rosters for the 2016 Northwoods League All-Star Game, which will be played on Tuesday, July 19 at 7:05 p.m. (CST) at Historic Simmons Field in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Battle Creek Bombers’ infielder/outfielder, Daniel Jipping, brings his .353 average, eight home runs and 36 RBI with him for the South Division. Jipping leads the Northwoods League in hits, and is second in home runs. 

"The entire Bombers organization is incredibly excited for Jipping,” said Bombers General Manager Tony Iovieno. “This is a well-deserved award, and we are all anxious to see him compete in this year's All-Star game in Kenosha."

Jipping appeared in 50 games for the Chippewas during the 2015 season, making 42 starts. He led the team in home runs and finished second with 40 RBIs, tallying 25 total runs. Highlights of Jipping’s sophomore tour include snagging a season-high four RBIs in 16-6 win over Eastern Michigan and hitting a three-run double in a 21-2 win over Ball State. He is a NWL veteran, having played for the Eau Claire Express of the North Division last summer.

The Canton native was named captain of the Plymouth Christian Academy baseball team as a junior and earned all-area honors following the same season. A powerful batter, he won the 2014 Muscle Milk Heavy Hitters Home Run Derby in Detroit by slugging 30 home runs. He concluded his high school career being named the No. 12 baseball prospect in the state of Michigan and No. 128 in the Midwest by Prep Baseball Report.

In the North Division, the St. Cloud Rox lead the way with seven selections. The Rox are led by Austin Dubsky (Murray State) with four wins and a 1.12 ERA. St. Cloud outfielder Ricky Ramirez (McNeese State) brings his .317 average, four home runs and 23 RBI with him to Simmons Field. The First-Half Champion Eau Claire Express have five selections in the North including Daulton Varsho (UW-Milwaukee), who currently leads the NWL in home runs with nine to go along with 34 RBI, 13 stolen bases and a .289 average.

In the South Division, the First-Half Champion Wisconsin Rapids Rafters have five players on the roster. Wisconsin Rapids is led by Logan Mattix (Georgia College) and his six home runs and 18 RBI. On the mound, Rafter Chris Cooper (Texas A & M-Corpus Christi) with 4 wins and a microscopic 0.75 ERA will join Mattix in Kenosha. After a strong first half the Kalamazoo Growlers also have five All-Star selections in the South. Their contingent of All-Stars is highlighted by Dan Robinson (Central Michigan) and his .336 average. Devin Pellien (Nova Southeastern) has also shined for the Growlers on the mound in the first half with a 3-0 record, 1.80 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 35 innings pitched.

Field Manager Craig Noto and his coaching staff from the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters will be in the dugout for the South. The Rafters, who won the first-half championship in the South Division, currently have a 26-12 record and are 2-0 in the second half.

Eau Claire Field Manager Dale Varsho and his staff will manage the North All-Stars. The first-half North Division Champion Express are currently 2-0 in the second half and 26-11 overall. 

This year's All-Stars were chosen in a vote by the 18 member teams of the Northwoods League. Ballots were cast by each team's field staff and media contacts.

The 2016 Northwoods League All-Star Game festivities will be held July 18 and 19 in Kenosha, WI. On Monday, July 18 the Home Run Derby at the Harbor will be held at Kenosha Harbor with players hitting homeruns in to Lake Michigan off of the pier. The following day, Tuesday, July 19, the All-Star Banquet will begin at 11:00 am at Marina Shores with Jed Hoyer, the General Manager of the Chicago Cubs, as the keynote speaker. The All Star game itself will begin at 7:05 pm that night at Historic Simmons Field.

All-Star Event Itinerary is as follows:

Monday, July 18 – Home Run Derby at the Harbor

5:30 pm – Gates open

6:30 pm – 7:50 pm – Home Run Derby in to the Harbor- Participants will be announced July 13

7:50 pm – Music with Bella Cain

Sunset – Post Event Fireworks

Tuesday, July 20 – All Star Banquet and Game

11:00 am – Banquet at Marina Shores

6:00 pm – Gates open at Historic Simmons Field

6:00 pm – 6:30 pm – Pre-game autograph session with the All-Stars

7:05 pm – Northwoods League All-Star Game

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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. The 22-year old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 140 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com.