Richmond Flying Mummies added for baseball and the Grand Forks Spitfires added to softball along with the return of the Minnesota Mud Puppies
Rochester, Minn. – The Northwoods League today released its complete 2026 regular-season schedules for both baseball and softball, highlighted by expansion into two new markets and the return of the fan-favorite Minnesota Mud Puppies traveling team.
The Richmond Flying Mummies will make their Northwoods League baseball debut in Richmond, Indiana, bringing the baseball division to 26 teams across seven U.S. states and one Canadian province. In softball, the Grand Forks Spitfires (Grand Forks, ND) join the league, expanding Northwoods League Softball to six teams. The Minnesota Mud Puppies will return to the baseball schedule for the 2026 season, once again playing a full road-only slate.
The 2026 baseball season – the league’s 33rd – will feature the traditional 72-game schedule and begin on Monday, May 25. Northwoods League Softball will continue its fast-paced 42-game regular season starting in June and going through the beginning of August.
“We are excited to unveil the 2026 schedules and welcome the Richmond Flying Mummies and Grand Forks Spitfires to the Northwoods League while bringing back the unique experience of the Minnesota Mud Puppies,” said Northwoods League Baseball President & Commissioner Ryan Voz. “These additions reflect our continued commitment to growing summer collegiate baseball and softball, developing elite players, and delivering unforgettable entertainment to communities across the Upper Midwest and beyond.”
“Adding the Grand Forks Spitfires is a huge step forward for Northwoods League Softball,” added NWL Softball President/Commissioner Kathryn Reynolds. “Grand Forks is a passionate sports community, and we know their fans will embrace this fast, exciting brand of collegiate softball. We can’t wait to see the Spitfires take the field in 2026.”
Full 2026 schedules for baseball and softball are now available at northwoodsleague.com/schedule.
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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 32nd season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history with 26 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, over 410 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and two-time World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TOR), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (BAL) and 2023 World Series Champion, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (NYM).
Leveraging the 32-year success of the Northwoods League, the first for-profit Summer Collegiate Baseball League, Northwoods League Softball (NWLS) is the first for-profit Women’s Summer Collegiate Softball League that began play in the Upper Midwest in the summer of 2024. The purpose of the League will be to develop players for their college, Olympic and future professional play. Teams will be promoted similar to minor league baseball teams, playing games in front of fans in a fun, friendly, family-oriented environment.
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