Mankato has the most selections for the July 23rd game
Rochester, Minn. (July 12, 2013) — The Northwoods League has announced the rosters for the 2013 Northwoods League All-Star Game, which will be played on Tuesday, July 23rd at 7:35 p.m. (CST) at Carson Park in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
In the North Division the Mankato MoonDogs lead the way with six selections. Coming in a close second with five selections are the first half champion Waterloo Bucks. Mankato claims four All Star roster spots from an offense that leads the league with a .419 slugging percentage. Two of the five outfield spots will be filled by MoonDogs Tim Arakawa (Oklahoma State) and Jonathan Rodriguez (Oklahoma City University). Waterloo boasts three pitchers from a staff that leads the league in wins with 32 and is second with a 3.55 ERA. That group is led by T.J. Renda (Alabama State). Renda is 4-0 with a 2.66 ERA.
In the South Division the first half champion Madison Mallards and the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters each have five players on the South roster. Three Mallards pitchers led by Luke Staub (George Washington) and his 1.58 ERA will look to enjoy success in Eau Claire along with Mallards outfielder and current league RBI leader Drew Weeks (North Florida). The Rafters have two of the top three home run hitters in the league on the South roster. Both Donnie Dewees (North Florida) and Jackson Slaid (Montevallo) currently have 9 home runs.
There is only one All Star that is returning for his second straight game. Willmar outfielder Michael Suchy (Florida Gulf Coast University) will be making his second consecutive appearance. Suchy currently has a .320 batting average to go along with 7 home runs and 17 RBI.
For the second time in three years Madison Mallards manager Donnie Scott and his coaching staff will be in the dugout for the game. The Mallards, who won the first half championship in the South Division by a half game, currently have a 27-15 record. Scott won the first and second halves in 2011 with the Battle Creek Bombers and went on to win the Summer Collegiate World Series.
It will be the first opportunity to manage the North All-Stars for Waterloo Bucks manager Travis Kiewiet and his staff. The Bucks won the first-half championship in the North with a 24-10 record. The Bucks are currently 8-0 in the second half and 32-10 overall.
Six different universities will be represented by at least two players in the All-Star Game. Florida Southern and Michigan State each have three players while Arkansas, Texas A & M, North Florida, and Long Beach State each have two.
This year’s All-Stars were chosen in a vote by the 16 member teams of the Northwoods League. Ballots were cast by each team’s field staff and media contacts.
Day two of the Northwoods League’s 19th all-star event will be held on Tuesday, July 23rd at historic Carson Park with a variety of activities. The day begins with a fan fest at 4:00 p.m. that gives fans the opportunity to interact with the all-stars and obtain autographs. The annual Home Run Derby will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the game to follow at 7:35 p.m. The two-day event will be capped off with a fireworks display following the completion of the game.
2013 Northwoods League All-Star Rosters:
The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any other Summer Collegiate League in North America. The 2013 season marks the 20th season of Northwoods League baseball. 105 former players have gone on to play Major League baseball. Notable alumni of the league include Curtis Granderson (Yankees), Chris Sale (White Sox), Max Scherzer (Tigers), Josh Willingham (Twins) and Jordan Zimmermann (Nationals).