(MEQUON, WI) The Northwoods League on Tuesday added a seventh team in the state of Wisconsin with the unveiling of the Lakeshore Chinooks. The 2012 expansion team will make its home at Concordia University in Mequon, a northern suburb of Milwaukee. The team’s ownership group consists of several individuals, including Milwaukee baseball celebrities Robin Yount and Bob Uecker.
The Lakeshore Chinooks become the first Northwoods League franchise to make its home in a major metropolitan area. Metro Milwaukee carries a population of more than 1.7 million people. Mequon, which is 12 miles north of Milwaukee, has a population of around 24,000.
The Chinooks are also the first Northwoods League franchise to make its home on a university campus. Concordia University is located on 200 acres of beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline. A new 2,000 seat ballpark is being constructed on the campus thanks in part to a lead donation by Kapco Metal Stamping of Grafton, WI. Kapco’s President Jim Kacmarcik is also the majority owner of the Chinooks.
Most baseball fans will recognize the names of two of the team’s minority owners. Major League Baseball Hall of Famer – and Milwaukee Brewers great – Robin Yount was on hand to unveil the team name and logo at the news conference Tuesday. Bob Uecker, the legendary broadcaster for the Brewers, also has a stake in the newest Northwoods League franchise. In addition, John Hammond, the general manager of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, is among the group of 12 owners.
Later this fall the Northwoods League will announce how the addition of the Lakeshore franchise affects divisional alignment and the overall compilation of the Northwoods League in 2012.
The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any other Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America.