Not Your Average Summer League
And Definitely Not the Last One That Was Here.
Let’s get this out of the way:
Yes — we know Grand Forks has heard the pitch before. The team, the league, the “big dreams.” And yes — we know how that turned out.
But this isn’t that. This isn’t a league without a plan. This isn’t a one-summer wonder.
This is Northwoods League Softball (NWLS) — and we’re built different.
Northwoods League Softball
A League for Women, Built by People Who Believe in It
Kathy Radatz
Chairman | NWLS
Kathy Radatz is a retired HR executive with over 35 years of experience in financial services and defense technology. As HR Managing Director at Citigroup, she led global transformation initiatives and oversaw the implementation of Workday across 200,000 employees in 98 countries. She holds an MBA and a BBA degree from the University of Michigan, where she was a member of the first softball team.
Kathryn Reynolds
President/Commissioner | NWLS
Reynolds earned her degrees in Business Management and Juris Doctor from the University of Iowa, where she also played on the women’s basketball team and later served on the coaching staff for six seasons. During her tenure, the team won two Big Ten titles and made a National Championship appearance. She comes from a sports-driven family, with her father and brother both working in professional baseball.
Softball is Booming
Pro Softball
-
2025 marks the first season of the new Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) — a 4-team pro league backed by MLB, who now owns a 20% equity stake
-
This growth is sparking new interest, opportunities, and demand at the college level — and NWLS is leading the charge
-
Games will be broadcast on MLB Network
College World Series
-
Averaged 1.3 million viewers — most-watched ever
-
The Championship game has over 2.4 million viewers
-
Packed stadiums with nearly 12,000 fans a night
Youth Softball
-
An estimated 9.2 million kids are playing softball nationwide
-
These girls are hungry for heroes — and NWLS is giving them role models they can see up close and personal
What Makes NWLS Softball Different?
Experience. Credibility. Vision. Community.
This isn’t a startup. It’s Northwoods League Softball — built right, backed by legacy, and made for athletes who shine.
Every game:
– Free app stream
– Live on ESPN+
Grand Forks — this is more than a team.
It’s your seat at the table of the next chapter in women’s sports.
