{"id":30637,"date":"2026-10-25T01:11:53","date_gmt":"2026-10-25T01:11:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northwoodsleague.com\/dune-coast-quillbacks\/?page_id=30637"},"modified":"2026-10-25T03:03:19","modified_gmt":"2026-10-25T03:03:19","slug":"summer-ball-101","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/northwoodsleague.com\/dune-coast-quillbacks\/summer-ball-101\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer Ball 101"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Summer Ball 101<\/div>\n

What is summer
collegiate baseball?<\/span><\/h1>\n
<\/div>\n

Summer collegiate baseball is where top college players spend their summer: about 72 games from late May to mid August, wood bats, host families and pro scouts in the stands. Here is everything a new fan needs to know, from the Dune Coast QuillBacks and Manager Tracy Woodson, 1988 World Series champion.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Summer collegiate baseball FAQ \u00b7 Updated October 2026<\/p>\n

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What is summer collegiate baseball?<\/h2>\n
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Summer collegiate baseball is where college players keep playing after their spring season ends. From late May to mid August they join summer league teams, play almost every day with wood bats and get seen by pro scouts. Fans get affordable, family friendly baseball and a close look at future pros.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What is the Northwoods League?<\/h2>\n
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The Northwoods League is a summer collegiate wood bat baseball league founded in 1994. With 26 teams across the Midwest and Ontario, it is the largest organized baseball league in the world. It is known for big crowds, pro style technology and a long list of alumni in Major League Baseball.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

About the Northwoods League<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Who plays in the Northwoods League?<\/h2>\n
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Northwoods League rosters are made up of college players from NCAA programs across the country, from major conferences to smaller schools. They come for a summer of everyday games against top competition. The QuillBacks are announcing their inaugural roster one signing at a time in the Inaugural Card Set.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

See the cards<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Are summer collegiate players paid?<\/h2>\n
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No. Summer collegiate players are amateurs and are not paid to play, which lets them keep their college eligibility. Teams help with housing through local host families. Players come for the competition, the coaching and the exposure to Major League scouts, not a paycheck.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Why does summer ball use wood bats?<\/h2>\n
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College baseball uses metal bats, but the pros use wood. Summer collegiate leagues like the Northwoods League use wood bats so hitters adjust to the pro game and pitchers get an honest test. Scouts value wood bat numbers because they show how a player will perform at the next level.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Where do summer collegiate players live?<\/h2>\n
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Most summer collegiate players live with local host families for the season. Families provide a bedroom and a home base. Players become part of the community. The QuillBacks are looking for host families across the Dune Coast for 30 to 35 players for summer 2027.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Become a host family<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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How long is the Northwoods League season?<\/h2>\n
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The Northwoods League season runs from late May to mid August, about 72 games in roughly 11 weeks, so teams play nearly every day. The Dune Coast QuillBacks will play approximately 36 home games at Bison Field in New Buffalo, Michigan, with most night games starting around 6:35 PM.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Have Northwoods League players made it to the major leagues?<\/h2>\n
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Yes. More than 430 Northwoods League alumni have reached Major League Baseball and nearly 2,400 have been drafted, according to the league. Alumni include three time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, World Series champion Chris Sale, 2019 Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso and three time All-Star Curtis Granderson.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

NWL alumni<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Who are the Dune Coast QuillBacks?<\/h2>\n
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The Dune Coast QuillBacks are a new Northwoods League team based in New Buffalo, Michigan, starting play in summer 2027. The team represents the Dune Coast, the two state region from St. Joseph, Michigan to Valparaiso, Indiana. The QuillBacks name was chosen through a community naming initiative in July 2026.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Where do the QuillBacks play?<\/h2>\n
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The QuillBacks play at Bison Field on the New Buffalo Area Schools campus in New Buffalo, Michigan. The ballpark is shared with the school district and stays a school and community facility. Upgrades include new LED lights, accessibility improvements and planned seating for about 600 fans close to the action.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Read the community FAQ (PDF)<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Who manages the QuillBacks?<\/h2>\n
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Tracy Woodson is the inaugural manager of the Dune Coast QuillBacks. Woodson won the 1988 World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers and went on to a long career as a college head coach. He also hosts Quill Talk, a weekly video series that explains the summer game to new fans.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Watch Quill Talk<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What is a QuillBacks game like?<\/h2>\n
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A QuillBacks game is affordable, family friendly summer baseball. Gates open about an hour before first pitch, most games start around 6:35 PM and last two and a half to three hours. Expect promotions, our mascot Warren and a close look at college players headed for pro ball.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Plan a group outing<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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How can I watch Northwoods League games?<\/h2>\n
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Every Northwoods League ballpark has four camera HD video production. Games stream live on FloCollege. Starting in summer 2027 you can watch the QuillBacks in person at Bison Field. Quill Talk with Manager Tracy Woodson posts every week on the team YouTube channel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Watch Quill Talk<\/h2>\n

Manager Tracy Woodson explains the summer game in about a minute. New episode every week.<\/p>\n<\/div>