Grand Forks hosts leadership from across the league for annual fall meetings as Spitfires earn Softball Organization of the Year and three additional honors

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The Grand Forks Spitfires’ inaugural season continues to bring reasons to celebrate. The organization received four honors at the 2026 Northwoods League Fall Meetings, recognizing the team’s community involvement, creative promotions and staff contributions, highlighted by its selection as Northwoods League Softball Organization of the Year.

Grand Forks was selected to host this year’s annual fall meetings, welcoming leadership from 32 other teams for a three-day conference. The gathering brought baseball and softball team officials together to share ideas, discuss league initiatives, prepare for the upcoming season and recognize achievements from the 2026 season.

Hosting the meetings gave the Spitfires an opportunity to welcome colleagues from across the league to the community that supported their first season. The awards, voted on by team officials, recognized several of the people and partnerships that helped establish the Spitfires’ identity in Grand Forks.

The Spitfires received the following 2026 Northwoods League Softball awards:

• Organization of the Year: Grand Forks Spitfires
• Most Valuable Team Member: Gabby Knopik, Assistant General Manager
• Community Program of the Year: Spitfires Sparks, in partnership with Valley Senior Living
• Promotion of the Year: Chip Chip Hooray, in partnership with Widman’s Candy Shop

Softball Organization of the Year

Being named Softball Organization of the Year marks a significant milestone for the Spitfires following their first season. The honor reflects the collective work required to launch a new franchise, build community relationships and create a welcoming, entertaining experience at Albrecht Field.

From the full-time staff and interns to game-day employees, players, coaches, host families and corporate partners, the inaugural season depended on people throughout the organization and community. Fans embraced a new summer tradition, while local partners helped bring promotions, entertainment and community programs to life.

“It is an absolute honor to receive this award,” said Spitfires General Manager Roberto Lemus. “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.”

Lemus emphasized that the recognition belongs to everyone who contributed to the team’s first year.

“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,” Lemus said.

“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.”

Most Valuable Team Member: Gabby Knopik

Gabby Knopik, Assistant General Manager for the Grand Forks Spitfires, was selected as the 2026 Northwoods League Softball Most Valuable Team Member for her contributions during the franchise’s inaugural season.

“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by colleagues across the league, especially following our inaugural season,” said Gabby Knopik, Assistant General Manager of the Grand Forks Spitfires. “I’m proud of the heart and hard work we put into bringing Spitfires softball to Grand Forks. Seeing fans embrace this team, watching our community partnerships grow and helping create moments people will remember made every long day worth it. I’m grateful to everyone who helped make our first season possible and excited to keep building something special together.”

Knopik’s responsibilities span marketing, sponsorship activation, broadcast operations and game-day entertainment. Her work helped connect the team with fans and community partners while bringing the Spitfires’ brand and ballpark experience to life.

Throughout the season, those efforts included promoting games and theme nights, coordinating sponsor activations, leading content and marketing initiatives, supporting broadcasts and helping deliver entertainment for fans. The award recognizes the dedication and work behind those efforts during the organization’s first year.

Community Program of the Year: Spitfires Sparks

The Spitfires Sparks, created in partnership with Valley Senior Living, earned the 2026 Northwoods League Softball Community Program of the Year award.

The program introduced a cheerleading squad of senior residents whose live performances became a memorable part of the Spitfires’ inaugural season. Their enthusiasm and team spirit drew applause from fans and players, making the Sparks a beloved part of the Spitfires family.

But the impact of the partnership extended well beyond the field. Through the “Host Grandma Program,” participating players were matched with members of the Sparks, building relationships that continued outside of game days. On days off, players visited Valley Senior Living to spend time with their host grandmas, play games, share stories, and get to know one another.

Those visits became a meaningful part of the summer. It was heartwarming to see how engaged both the players and residents were as they formed friendships across generations. The Sparks became the talk of Valley Senior Living, with their involvement creating excitement both at the ballpark and back home among fellow residents.

What began as an opportunity to bring senior residents into the game-day experience grew into a connection between the team and the Valley Senior Living community. Residents cheered on players they had come to know personally, while players gained another source of friendship and support during their summer in Grand Forks.

The recognition celebrates the Sparks, the participating players, and the Valley Senior Living partnership that made these experiences possible. Together, they showed how a team’s impact can reach beyond the ballpark through shared experiences, lasting connections, and a sense of belonging.

Promotion of the Year: Chip Chip Hooray

The Spitfires’ partnership with Widman’s Candy Shop earned the 2026 Northwoods League Softball Promotion of the Year award for Chip Chip Hooray.

The promotion paired the excitement of Spitfires softball with one of the community’s favorite local treats. When the team reached a designated scoring milestone during home games, fans were rewarded with free Chippers, Widman’s signature chocolate-covered potato chips.

The playful “Chip Chip Hooray!” call became a crowd favorite, adding another reason for fans to get involved and cheer on the team. By incorporating a recognizable hometown product into the game-day experience, the activation celebrated a local business while creating a shared moment throughout the ballpark.

The award highlights the creativity and collaboration behind the promotion, as well as the role local partners played in making the Spitfires’ first season distinctive to Grand Forks.

Building Toward Season Two

Together, the four awards recognize an inaugural season shaped by community support, creative partnerships and the dedication of the people behind the scenes.

As the Spitfires prepare for their second season in 2027, the organization looks forward to building on that foundation, strengthening local relationships and creating more opportunities for fans to make memories at Albrecht Field.

“This award belongs to all of you,” Lemus said. “It is a tremendous honor, and it only motivates us to keep building, keep improving, and make the seasons ahead even more special.”