Lakeshore, Madison, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, and Kyle Chisholm from Madison and Gabby Knopik from Grand Forks are honored
Rochester, Minn. – The Northwoods League has announced the winners of its annual Promotion of the Year, Community Program of the Year, Outstanding Theme Night, and Most Valuable Team Member awards for the 2026 season. Team officials voted on the honors.
Baseball
- Most Valuable Team Member: Kyle Chisholm, Madison Mallards
- Community Program of the Year: Painted Bat Auction, Lakeshore Chinooks
- Promotion of the Year: Wiener Wallet, Madison Mallards
- Outstanding Theme Night: Dakota Ditch Chickens, Bismarck Larks
Softball
- Most Valuable Team Member: Gabby Knopik, Grand Forks Spitfires
- Community Program of the Year: Spitfires Sparks, Grand Forks Spitfires
- Promotion of the Year: Chip Chip Hooray, Grand Forks Spitfires
- Outstanding Theme Night: Singles Night, Minot Honeybees
Kyle Chisholm, Marketing Director for the Madison Mallards, was selected as the 2026 Baseball Most Valuable Team Member. Gabby Knopik, Assistant General Manager for the Grand Forks Spitfires, earned the Softball Most Valuable Team Member honor for her contributions during the franchise’s successful inaugural season.
The Lakeshore Chinooks’ Painted Bat Auction was recognized as Baseball Community Program of the Year. The special night featured one-of-a-kind, custom-designed bats created by current patients and survivors, with all proceeds benefiting the Aurora Health Care Foundation.
Madison’s Wiener Wallet earned Promotion of the Year in baseball. The creative wearable promotion—a holster-style carrier for hot dogs presented in partnership with Festival Foods—became a fan favorite and viral sensation.
The Bismarck Larks’ Dakota Ditch Chickens night was named Outstanding Theme Night in baseball. The one-night alternate identity celebrated North Dakota’s hunting culture and the ring-necked pheasant (affectionately known as a “ditch chicken”). North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong managed the team for the evening, becoming the first sitting governor to coach a baseball team, while the event supported conservation and habitat efforts.
In softball, the Grand Forks Spitfires claimed both Community Program of the Year and Promotion of the Year.
Spitfires Sparks, the Community Program of the Year, is a unique partnership with Valley Senior Living that features a cheerleading squad of six residents. The group performed live multiple times throughout the season, earning enthusiastic applause, creating heartwarming moments for fans and players, and becoming a true part of the Spitfires family. The program embodies the organization’s commitment to building meaningful community relationships beyond the field.
Chip Chip Hooray was selected as Softball Promotion of the Year. The fun, local activation partnered with Widman’s Candy Shop and rewarded fans with free Chippers (the popular local chocolate-chip candy) whenever the Spitfires reached a designated scoring milestone during home games. The playful “Chip Chip Hooray!” call became a crowd favorite, blending hometown flavor with interactive excitement and helping energize the ballpark throughout the Spitfires’ inaugural season.
The Minot Honeybees’ Singles Night earned Outstanding Theme Night. The evening featured pre-game speed dating, interactive video-board games such as “Swipe Left or Right,” colored wristbands to indicate relationship status, a “Honeybees Bachelorette” experience, and other fun activities designed for singles and those looking for a lively night out at the ballpark.
These awards recognize the creativity, community impact, and operational excellence that define the Northwoods League experience for players, fans, and host communities.
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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.