Brianne Barta named softball Executive of the Year, Jake Horan voted top baseball Executive, Grand Forks Spitfires and the Green Bay Rockers are named as Softball and Baseball Organizations of the Year
Rochester, Minn. – The Northwoods League has named Brianne Barta, GM of the Wausau Ignite, the 2026 Northwoods League Softball Executive of the Year. Team officials voted on the award at the League’s annual fall meetings in Grand Forks, ND, and it is given annually to the League’s outstanding executive. In another vote, Jake Horan, GM of the Eau Claire Express, was awarded the baseball Executive of the Year award. The Green Bay Rockers were named the top organization of the year for baseball, and the Grand Forks Spitfires won the award for softball.
On winning the award for Executive of the Year, Barta said, “This award is a testament to all of the hard work and commitment from everyone on our staff. From finishing last in league standings our first season to playing in the Championship Series our second season, we had a lot of growth both on and off the field. It has been incredible to see the love and support from our host families, fans, and the community as we continue to grow.”
And for being named as the Organization of the Year in their first season, Spitfires GM Roberto Lemus said, “It is an absolute honor to receive this award. Our inaugural season was far from easy. We faced significant challenges and adversity, but through it all, we remained committed to building something special and delivering an unforgettable experience for everyone who walked through our gates.
This recognition, however, is about much more than an award. It represents the dedication, resilience, and countless hours of hard work put in by everyone who helped bring Season 1 to life. From the interns who traveled from across the country, to our game-day staff who showed up with a smile and made every game special, to our players who embraced their role in the community, and our coaches who are laying the foundation for a winning program, every person played an important role in our success. Most importantly, I want to recognize our full-time staff; their tireless work and belief in this vision made our inaugural season possible.
This recognition is not just for our team; it is for Grand Forks, too. We did this for you, and you showed up all season long to support us. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who believed in us, stood behind us, and helped make our first season something special. This award belongs to all of you. It is a tremendous honor, and it only motivates us to keep building, keep improving, and make the seasons ahead even more special”
On winning Northwoods League Baseball Executive of the Year, Express GM Jake Horan said, “I’m humbled to have been selected for this award in my first season as GM. The credit goes to the hard work of the staff I had around me. Their dedication to the team is a major reason for our success this season. I look forward to building on this year and making 2027 even better.”
The Green Bay Rockers were honored as the Northwoods League Baseball Organization of the Year. “Receiving the Northwoods League Organization of the Year award three of the past four seasons is a special milestone for us,” said Vice President and General Manager John Fanta. “It takes a dedicated team believing in our core values to make an impact on our community. My sincerest thanks go out to our ownership, associates, coaches, players, host families, and corporate partners. Above all, thank you to our phenomenal fans, whose unbelievable energy and support drive our mission forward every single day.”
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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 33rd 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, nearly 2400 NWL alums have been drafted and over 435 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 and Cy Young Award winner 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, two-time Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (NYM). League games are viewable live on Flosports.tv.
Leveraging the 33-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 which 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.