League expands from 16 to 18 teams and from 70 to 72 games for its 21st Season
Rochester, MN (November 25, 2013) – The Northwoods League released its complete schedule today for the 2014 season, featuring 18 teams, division realignment, Inter-Division play, All-Star Game, a Big League Dreams Showcase doubleheader event and 72 regular season games.
The Northwoods League, now the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams after the addition of Kenosha (WI) and Kalamazoo (MI) in the off-season, will begin its 21st season on Tuesday, May 27, when all teams take the field for summer collegiate baseball’s most extensive schedule, at 72 games. In addition to expanding from 70 to 72 games for 2014, the League re-aligned its divisions with Eau Claire (WI) going to the North, and the Kalamazoo Growlers and Kenosha Kingfish joining the South. The South now consists of eight teams in Wisconsin, including the defending Northwoods League Champion, the Madison Mallards.
The League, which plays two halves to determine playoff participants, similar to most professional minor leagues, will end the first half of play on June 30 with the second half beginning the following day. The first and second half division winners from both the North and South divisions will meet in a best-of-three Divisional Playoff Series from August 11-13. The North and South Division Champions will then meet in a best-of-three series for the Summer Collegiate World Series from August 14-16.
The Northwoods League’s 20th All-Star game will take place at Kapco Park on July 22, 2014 in Mequon, WI, where the Lakeshore Chinooks will host the event for the first time since their inauguration into the League in 2012. The Big League Dreams Showcase event will take place at Warner Park on August 5, 2014 in Madison, WI again, for its second year.
“We are excited to be going into our 21st season,” said Northwoods League President Dick Radatz, Jr., “It’s wonderful to reflect on where we started and where we are now with 18 teams, a 72-game schedule, our 20th All-Star Game and our second Big League Dreams Showcase event.”
The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. The 20-year old Summer Collegiate League is the largest organized baseball league in the World, 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, 114 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including MLB All-Stars Max Scherzer (DET), Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYY), Allen Craig (STL), and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable LIVE, free of charge, via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com.