{"id":377,"date":"2024-10-01T01:00:39","date_gmt":"2024-10-01T05:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/northwoodsleague.com\/rochester-honkers\/?page_id=377"},"modified":"2026-04-30T10:27:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T14:27:41","slug":"ballpark","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/northwoodsleague.com\/kalamazoo-growlers\/ballpark\/","title":{"rendered":"Ballpark"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1655.68px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-color:var(--awb-custom_color_2);--awb-bg-color-hover:var(--awb-custom_color_2);--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><h1 style=\"text-align: center\">Honor Credit Union Stadium <span style=\"font-family: Barlow, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size: 44px;font-weight: 400;text-align: start\" data-fusion-font=\"true\">&#x1f3df;&#xfe0f;<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-0 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2 fusion-text-no-margin\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:10px;--awb-margin-bottom:10px;\"><p>In April 2026, Honor Credit Union was announced as the stadium naming rights partner for the home venue, a long-term agreement designed to enhance fan experience, expand community events, and continued investment in Southwest Michigan. <\/p>\n<p>As part of this landmark agreement, the Growlers will officially called Honor Credit Union Stadium &#8216;home.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>The new era balances honoring the past while building for the future. The field of play will continue to be known as Homer Stryker Field, inside the officially named Honor Credit Union Stadium.<\/p>\n<p>The partnership between the Growlers and Honor Credit Union represents a shared commitment to enhancing the fan experience, investing in meaningful stadium improvements, and expanding the Growlers\u2019 ability to recruit, host, and execute premier events year-round at Honor Credit Union Stadium. <\/p>\n<p>Together, the organizations aim to make a lasting impact on the Kalamazoo community by creating a vibrant event venue that goes beyond just baseball.<\/p>\n<p>A shared commitment to giving back is central to the partnership between Honor Credit Union and the Growlers. The collaboration creates opportunities to offer free and low-cost community events, while also supporting local nonprofit organizations and programs benefiting veterans, youth, and families across Southwest Michigan.<\/p>\n<p>Upgrades for the 2026 season include new box seating, extended protective netting, new concessions outlets and an updated team store. <\/p>\n<p>The Kalamazoo Growlers play 36 home games every summer at Honor Credit Union Stadium at Kalamazoo\u2019s Mayors&#8217; Riverfront Park (251 Mills Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49048).<\/p>\n<p>Honor Credit Union Stadium seats over 3,500 fans. It originally opened in 1963 and has been home to two Frontier League teams, the Kalamazoo Kodiaks and the Kalamazoo Kings, as well as numerous youth, high school and collegiate tournaments.<\/p>\n<p>The Growlers have continued to renovate Honor Credit Union Stadium each offseason to create one of the most comfortable, unique and fan-friendly ballparks in the country.<\/p>\n<p>The Growlers play in the Northwoods League, a summer collegiate baseball league for players with remaining college eligibility. The Northwoods League features 26 teams, who are located throughout Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and even Canada.<\/p>\n<p>Hundreds of Northwoods League alumni have made it to the major leagues, including Jordan Zimmerman, Max Scherzer, Curtis Granderson, Andy Dirks, Drew Smyly and Chris Sale.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-1 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"--awb-margin-top:10px;--awb-margin-bottom:10px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-1 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1350\" title=\"Honor Credit Union Stadium Kalamazoo Growlers\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/04\/Honor-Credit-Union-Stadium-Kalamazoo-Growlers.png\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/04\/Honor-Credit-Union-Stadium-Kalamazoo-Growlers.png\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-25590\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271080%27%20height%3D%271350%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201080%201350%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271080%27%20height%3D%271350%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/04\/Honor-Credit-Union-Stadium-Kalamazoo-Growlers-200x250.png 200w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/04\/Honor-Credit-Union-Stadium-Kalamazoo-Growlers-400x500.png 400w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/04\/Honor-Credit-Union-Stadium-Kalamazoo-Growlers-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/04\/Honor-Credit-Union-Stadium-Kalamazoo-Growlers-800x1000.png 800w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/04\/Honor-Credit-Union-Stadium-Kalamazoo-Growlers.png 1080w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-color:var(--awb-custom_color_2);--awb-bg-color-hover:var(--awb-custom_color_2);--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3\"><h1 style=\"text-align: center;--fontSize: 42;line-height: 1.2\" data-fontsize=\"42\" data-lineheight=\"50.4px\" class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\">Ballpark Improvements &amp; Renovations <span style=\"font-family: Barlow, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size: 44px;font-weight: 400;text-align: start\" data-fusion-font=\"true\">&#x1f477;<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-3 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-2 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4 fusion-text-no-margin\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:10px;--awb-margin-bottom:10px;\"><h4 class=\"\" style=\"--fontsize: 20;line-height: 1.2;--minfontsize: 20\" data-fontsize=\"20\" data-lineheight=\"24px\">Upgraded Seats<\/h4>\n<p>In Spring 2026, the City of Kalamazoo upgraded the ballpark&#8217;s previous bucket-style seating to traditional, green stadium seats. <\/p>\n<p>The newly installed Aura Stadium Chairs provided a more ergonomic design and exceptional durability. <\/p>\n<p>They featured rust-resistant, powder-coated aluminum stanchions built to ensure a long lifespan at the ballpark.<\/p>\n<p>During the project, a total of 366 new seats were installed in sections 100-104, with an additional 244 seats added to sections 200-204 behind the Growlers\u2019 home dugout. <\/p>\n<p>To maintain the premium fan experience, the convenient food and drink rails in sections 100-104 remained in place.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the significant upgrades, ticket prices in those sections were not raised. <\/p>\n<p>The new premium seats were made available exclusively as part of the all-inclusive Meijer 5-Game Miniplans. <\/p>\n<p>This community project was made possible by a $170,154 investment from the City of Kalamazoo and was completed by local company Interkal, ensuring a significantly improved game-day experience for all fans.<\/p>\n<p>Interkal is a local company that provides seating options that are ADA-compliant and with the strongest understructure in the stadium seating industry. It is a company that serves industries worldwide and is based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. <\/p><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-margin-top:10px;--awb-margin-bottom:10px;--awb-max-width:200px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-2 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" title=\"kalamazoo growlers partners12\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/09\/kalamazoo-growlers-partners12.jpg\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/09\/kalamazoo-growlers-partners12.jpg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-24254\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271080%27%20height%3D%271080%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201080%201080%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271080%27%20height%3D%271080%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/09\/kalamazoo-growlers-partners12-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/09\/kalamazoo-growlers-partners12-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/09\/kalamazoo-growlers-partners12-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/09\/kalamazoo-growlers-partners12-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/09\/kalamazoo-growlers-partners12.jpg 1080w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-3 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"--awb-margin-top:10px;--awb-margin-bottom:10px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-3 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1350\" title=\"Kalamazoo Growlers Home Plate Club (1)\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/02\/Kalamazoo-Growlers-Home-Plate-Club-1.png\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/02\/Kalamazoo-Growlers-Home-Plate-Club-1.png\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-25150\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271080%27%20height%3D%271350%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201080%201350%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271080%27%20height%3D%271350%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/02\/Kalamazoo-Growlers-Home-Plate-Club-1-200x250.png 200w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/02\/Kalamazoo-Growlers-Home-Plate-Club-1-400x500.png 400w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/02\/Kalamazoo-Growlers-Home-Plate-Club-1-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/02\/Kalamazoo-Growlers-Home-Plate-Club-1-800x1000.png 800w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/02\/Kalamazoo-Growlers-Home-Plate-Club-1.png 1080w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;width:100%;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-solid\" style=\"--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;border-color:hsla(var(--awb-color2-h),var(--awb-color2-s),var(--awb-color2-l),calc( var(--awb-color2-a) - 25% ));border-top-width:1px;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-min-height:no;--awb-min-height-medium:no;--awb-min-height-small:no;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-4 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-5 fusion-text-no-margin\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:10px;--awb-margin-bottom:10px;\"><h4 class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"--fontsize: 20;line-height: 1.2;--minfontsize: 20\" data-fontsize=\"20\" data-lineheight=\"24px\">Protective &amp; Extended Foul Ball Netting<\/h4>\n<p>In Spring 2026, the City of Kalamazoo approved and installed new foul ball netting. It will extend significantly beyond its previous location at the dugout edges, adding 178 feet of coverage down the first-base line and 260 feet down the right-field line.<\/p>\n<p>The netting height will vary to maximize protection:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Left Field to Home Plate to Third-Base Bleachers: 30 feet high.<\/li>\n<li>Miller Lite Trap to Right-Field Foul Pole: 12 feet high.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The netting is a standard Vulcan Black HP color with 95% open mesh area that is easy to see through and has a minimal impact on fan sightlines from around the stadium. <\/p>\n<p>The squares inside of the netting measure a standard 1-\u00be\u201d and have a 530 pound minimum breaking strength.<\/p>\n<p>The necessity of this upgrade is backed by physics. Foul balls can reach exit velocities between 95 mph and 105 mph, leaving a fan 60 feet away with only 0.4 seconds to react\u2014roughly the same time it takes to blink. <\/p>\n<p>Protective netting is the primary defense against common stadium injuries such as concussions, facial fractures, and dental trauma.<\/p>\n<p>Protective netting has been in professional stadiums for many years.<\/p>\n<p> In 2015, the MLB Commissioner\u2019s Office initiated a new safety netting policy, recommending teams extend netting to the ends of dugouts. <\/p>\n<p>In 2018, all 30 MLB teams were required to install protective netting, extending to each end of the dugout or 70 feet from home plate.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-5 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"--awb-margin-top:10px;--awb-margin-bottom:10px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-4 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1350\" title=\"kalamazoo growlers homer stryker field netting (1)\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/02\/kalamazoo-growlers-homer-stryker-field-netting-1-1.png\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/02\/kalamazoo-growlers-homer-stryker-field-netting-1-1.png\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-25153\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271080%27%20height%3D%271350%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201080%201350%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271080%27%20height%3D%271350%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/02\/kalamazoo-growlers-homer-stryker-field-netting-1-1-200x250.png 200w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/02\/kalamazoo-growlers-homer-stryker-field-netting-1-1-400x500.png 400w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/02\/kalamazoo-growlers-homer-stryker-field-netting-1-1-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/02\/kalamazoo-growlers-homer-stryker-field-netting-1-1-800x1000.png 800w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/02\/kalamazoo-growlers-homer-stryker-field-netting-1-1.png 1080w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;width:100%;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-solid\" style=\"--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;border-color:hsla(var(--awb-color2-h),var(--awb-color2-s),var(--awb-color2-l),calc( var(--awb-color2-a) - 25% ));border-top-width:1px;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-min-height:no;--awb-min-height-medium:no;--awb-min-height-small:no;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-6 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-6 fusion-text-no-margin\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:10px;--awb-margin-bottom:10px;\"><h4 data-fontsize=\"20\" data-lineheight=\"24px\" class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"--fontSize: 20;line-height: 1.2;--minFontSize: 20\">Hockey Dasher Boards<\/h4>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\">The Northwoods League Foundation, the City of Kalamazoo and the Kalamazoo Growlers partnered to install a one-of-a-kind accessible seating upgrade to Homer Stryker Field in April 2018. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\">The improvement incorporated hockey dasher boards as the new barrier and backstop for the area behind home plate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\">This added 82 accessible seats, an improved view for the entire home plate section, and add new field level seats called The Dugout Club &amp; The Backstop.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\">The goal for the project was to provide access to our most premium areas of the ballpark that weren\u2019t accessible in prior years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\"> Accessibility is a priority for the Growlers organization and the city of Kalamazoo and thankful for the Northwoods League Foundation made this commitment to the community.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-7 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-before-after-wrapper fusion-image-before-after-horizontal type-before-after hover-type-together fusion-image-before-after-wrapper-1\" style=\"--awb-font-size:14px;--awb-bordersize:0px;--awb-accent-color-bg:hsla(var(--awb-color1-h),var(--awb-color1-s),var(--awb-color1-l),calc(var(--awb-color1-a) - 85%));--awb-transition-time:0.5s;\"><div class=\"fusion-image-before-after-element fusion-image-before-after fusion-image-before-after-container fusion-image-before-after-1\" data-offset=\"0.5\" data-orientation=\"horizontal\" data-move-with-handle-only=\"true\" data-click-to-move=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"fusion-image-before-after-before lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%272352%27%20height%3D%271568%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%202352%201568%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%272352%27%20height%3D%271568%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" width=\"2352\" height=\"1568\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/northwoodsleague.com\/kalamazoo-growlers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2018\/04\/IMG_4247-1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"fusion-image-before-after-after lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%272000%27%20height%3D%271333%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%202000%201333%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%272000%27%20height%3D%271333%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/10\/dugoutclub-4.jpg\"><div class=\"fusion-image-before-after-handle fusion-image-before-after-handle-default\"><span class=\"fusion-image-before-after-left-arrow\"><\/span><span class=\"fusion-image-before-after-right-arrow\"><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;width:100%;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-solid\" style=\"--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;border-color:hsla(var(--awb-color2-h),var(--awb-color2-s),var(--awb-color2-l),calc( var(--awb-color2-a) - 25% ));border-top-width:1px;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-min-height:no;--awb-min-height-medium:no;--awb-min-height-small:no;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-8 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-7 fusion-text-no-margin\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:10px;--awb-margin-bottom:10px;\"><h4 class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"--fontsize: 20;line-height: 1.2;--minfontsize: 20\" data-fontsize=\"20\" data-lineheight=\"24px\">Video Board Display<\/h4>\n<p>A new 20&#8217;x28&#8242; Eaton LED Video Board was installed at Homer Stryker Field in April 2018.<\/p>\n<p>The Kalamazoo City Commission approved the purchase of a LED video display board from Daktronics, splitting the cost with the Growlers.<\/p>\n<p>With the video board also presented cameras, staff, additional equipment and an upgraded in-game entertainment experience for fans at all events in the ballpark.<\/p>\n<p>The video board does not display any other advertising outside of the naming of the Eaton LED Video Board &#8211; one of the only of its kind in the industry.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-9 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_2 1_2 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:50%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.84%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.84%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"--awb-margin-top:10px;--awb-margin-bottom:10px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-5 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"831\" height=\"566\" title=\"Screen Shot 2018-02-02 at 3.41.52 PM\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27831%27%20height%3D%27566%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20831%20566%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27831%27%20height%3D%27566%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/northwoodsleague.com\/kalamazoo-growlers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2018\/02\/Screen-Shot-2018-02-02-at-3.41.52-PM.png\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-11494\"\/><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-4 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-color:var(--awb-custom_color_2);--awb-bg-color-hover:var(--awb-custom_color_2);--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-8\"><h1 style=\"text-align: center\">Stadium Security<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-5 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-10 fusion_builder_column_inner_2_5 2_5 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:40%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:4.8%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:4.8%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-9 fusion-text-no-margin\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:10px;--awb-margin-bottom:10px;\"><p>Adams Risk Management Group is the preferred Security Partner of the Kalamazoo Growlers starting in 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Adams Risk Management Group delivers elite armed security and patrol services at Kalamazoo Growlers home games and other locations throughout Southwest Michigan.<\/p>\n<p>They are respected by every law enforcement and public-safety agency in Kalamazoo County as they operate with integrity, accountability, and professionalism.<\/p>\n<p>The firm has experience in public safety, law enforcement, medical care, risk &amp; emergency management solutions.<\/p>\n<p>Adams Risk Management Group&#8217;s Owner also sits on the board of directors for the Michigan Council of Professional Investigators.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-11 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_5 1_5 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:20%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:9.6%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:9.6%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element awb-imageframe-style awb-imageframe-style-below awb-imageframe-style-6\" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-6 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/www.armgroupmi.com\/index.html\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"adams risk management group\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/03\/adams-risk-management-group.png\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/03\/adams-risk-management-group.png\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-25360\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271200%27%20height%3D%271200%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201200%201200%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271200%27%20height%3D%271200%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/03\/adams-risk-management-group-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/03\/adams-risk-management-group-400x400.png 400w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/03\/adams-risk-management-group-600x600.png 600w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/03\/adams-risk-management-group-800x800.png 800w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/03\/adams-risk-management-group.png 1200w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/span><div class=\"awb-imageframe-caption-container\" style=\"text-align:center;\"><div class=\"awb-imageframe-caption\"><h2 class=\"awb-imageframe-caption-title\">Adams Risk Management<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-12 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_5 1_5 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:20%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:9.6%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:9.6%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element awb-imageframe-style awb-imageframe-style-below awb-imageframe-style-7\" style=\"--awb-aspect-ratio:1 \/ 1;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-7 hover-type-none has-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" title=\"tyler james adams kalamazoo growlers adams risk management group\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/03\/tyler-james-adams-kalamazoo-growlers-adams-risk-management-group.png\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/03\/tyler-james-adams-kalamazoo-growlers-adams-risk-management-group.png\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-25362 img-with-aspect-ratio\" data-parent-fit=\"cover\" data-parent-container=\".fusion-image-element\" alt srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271200%27%20height%3D%271200%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201200%201200%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271200%27%20height%3D%271200%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/03\/tyler-james-adams-kalamazoo-growlers-adams-risk-management-group-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/03\/tyler-james-adams-kalamazoo-growlers-adams-risk-management-group-400x400.png 400w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/03\/tyler-james-adams-kalamazoo-growlers-adams-risk-management-group-600x600.png 600w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/03\/tyler-james-adams-kalamazoo-growlers-adams-risk-management-group-800x800.png 800w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/03\/tyler-james-adams-kalamazoo-growlers-adams-risk-management-group.png 1200w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/span><div class=\"awb-imageframe-caption-container\" style=\"text-align:center;\"><div class=\"awb-imageframe-caption\"><h2 class=\"awb-imageframe-caption-title\"> Tyler James Adams<\/h2><p class=\"awb-imageframe-caption-text\">Owner &amp; Chief Investigator <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-13 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_5 1_5 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:20%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:9.6%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:9.6%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-image-element awb-imageframe-style awb-imageframe-style-below awb-imageframe-style-8\" style=\"--awb-aspect-ratio:1 \/ 1;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-8 hover-type-none has-aspect-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" title=\"james van dyken kalamazoo growlers adams risk management group\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/03\/james-van-dyken-kalamazoo-growlers-adams-risk-management-group-1.png\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/03\/james-van-dyken-kalamazoo-growlers-adams-risk-management-group-1.png\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-25365 img-with-aspect-ratio\" data-parent-fit=\"cover\" data-parent-container=\".fusion-image-element\" alt srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271200%27%20height%3D%271200%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201200%201200%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271200%27%20height%3D%271200%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/03\/james-van-dyken-kalamazoo-growlers-adams-risk-management-group-1-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/03\/james-van-dyken-kalamazoo-growlers-adams-risk-management-group-1-400x400.png 400w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/03\/james-van-dyken-kalamazoo-growlers-adams-risk-management-group-1-600x600.png 600w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/03\/james-van-dyken-kalamazoo-growlers-adams-risk-management-group-1-800x800.png 800w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/03\/james-van-dyken-kalamazoo-growlers-adams-risk-management-group-1.png 1200w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/span><div class=\"awb-imageframe-caption-container\" style=\"text-align:center;\"><div class=\"awb-imageframe-caption\"><h2 class=\"awb-imageframe-caption-title\">James Van Dyken<\/h2><p class=\"awb-imageframe-caption-text\">Director of Professional Standards &amp; Public Relations<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;width:100%;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-solid\" style=\"--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;border-color:hsla(var(--awb-color2-h),var(--awb-color2-s),var(--awb-color2-l),calc( var(--awb-color2-a) - 25% ));border-top-width:1px;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-14 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-10 fusion-text-no-margin\" style=\"--awb-margin-top:10px;--awb-margin-bottom:10px;\"><h2>Stadium Map<\/h2>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-9 hover-type-none\"><a class=\"fusion-no-lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/04\/Honor-Credit-Union-Stadium-Map-4-26.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"Honor Credit Union Stadium Map (4-26)\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"2529\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/04\/Honor-Credit-Union-Stadium-Map-4-26-scaled.png\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/04\/Honor-Credit-Union-Stadium-Map-4-26-scaled.png\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-25731\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%272560%27%20height%3D%272529%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%202560%202529%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%272560%27%20height%3D%272529%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/04\/Honor-Credit-Union-Stadium-Map-4-26-200x198.png 200w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/04\/Honor-Credit-Union-Stadium-Map-4-26-400x395.png 400w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/04\/Honor-Credit-Union-Stadium-Map-4-26-600x593.png 600w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/04\/Honor-Credit-Union-Stadium-Map-4-26-800x790.png 800w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/04\/Honor-Credit-Union-Stadium-Map-4-26-1200x1185.png 1200w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/04\/Honor-Credit-Union-Stadium-Map-4-26-scaled.png 2560w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;width:100%;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-solid\" style=\"--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;border-color:hsla(var(--awb-color2-h),var(--awb-color2-s),var(--awb-color2-l),calc( var(--awb-color2-a) - 25% ));border-top-width:1px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1655.68px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-6 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-color:var(--awb-custom_color_2);--awb-bg-color-hover:var(--awb-custom_color_2);--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-11\"><h1 style=\"text-align: center\">Baseball in Kalamazoo<\/h1>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><em>Written by Keith Howard, Kalamazoo Public Library staff, 2013<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-7 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-12\"><p>For those who might believe that Kalamazoo is relatively new to the sport of baseball, think again. Kalamazoo\u2019s love affair with America&#8217;s national pastime began years before the Civil War when the town itself was little more than a frontier village, and the passion of local fans for the sport of baseball has seldom wavered.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-15 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-13\"><h3><strong>\u201cHip, Hip &#8230; Huzzah!\u201d <\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The game of Base Ball (then two words) originated in the 1840s, and was (and still is) a uniquely American sport.<\/p>\n<p>In its infancy, baseball was very much a gentleman\u2019s game.<\/p>\n<p>No gloves were worn, pitches were thrown underhand, and the batter (\u201cstriker\u201d) had the right to say how the ball should be pitched.<\/p>\n<p>Umpires (then \u201creferees\u201d) enforced strict rules of conduct, and players (\u201cbase ballists\u201d) could be fined for such ungentlemanly conduct as swearing, spitting, disputing a referee\u2019s decision, or failing to tip one\u2019s hat to a feminine spectator.<\/p>\n<p>Admission prices were inflated to keep out the \u201cundesirables,\u201d and the use of alcohol and tobacco was strictly prohibited.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-16 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-14\"><h3><strong>Kalamazoo\u2019s Earliest Teams (1850s)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Locals recalled that the game was first introduced in Kalamazoo by John McCord, who after seeing it played while away at school in New York was finally able to persuade his friends back home in Kalamazoo to try it. By the spring of 1859, at least one baseball team had been organized in Kalamazoo, and according to the local newspapers, there was \u201cplenty of material for a dozen more.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Kalamazoo Boys met their opponents from Galesburg and Schoolcraft in the field just west of Dodge\u2019s Foundry on North Rose Street, where large crowds of curious onlookers gathered to watch this\u00a0new game.<\/p>\n<p>A short year later, the twenty five member Kalamazoo team, by then known as the Champion Base Ball Club, was holding its matches on new grounds just north of the Michigan Central depot on North Burdick Street.<\/p>\n<p>Five hundred or more enthusiastic spectators gathered on warm summer afternoons to watch the three-plus-hour matches against the regional rival Prairie Club from Schoolcraft.<\/p>\n<p>These games typically ended with the losing team buying supper for all back downtown at the Burdick House.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-17 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-15\"><h3><strong>Kalamazoo\u2019s Postbellum Teams (1860s-1870s)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-size: 13px\">By the end of the Civil War, baseball had already earned its title as \u201cthe National Game.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 13px\">Mid-1860s teams in Kalamazoo included the Burr Oaks and the Excelsior Base Ball Club, both named for the local fire departments, plus John McCord\u2019s Continental Base Ball Club, considered \u201cthe champions of Western Michigan.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 13px\">The Continentals went undefeated in 1866 with an astonishing 355 runs in 7 matches.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 13px\">The Burr Oaks, led by team captain George Scales, went 5 games for a total of 232 runs the same year.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 13px\">Soon, baseball \u201cgoods\u201d could be had locally for those who wished to attempt the sport for themselves.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 13px\">Hall &amp; Scales were local dealers in bats, bases, spikes, shoes, caps, balls, belts, flags, score books, instruction books, and \u201cuniforms made to order.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 13px\">\u201cNew National\u201d and \u201cthe famous New York Regulation\u201d balls were $2 each at Roberts &amp; Hillhouse\u2019s store on Main Street, while Shakespeare &amp; Sleeper\u2019s Bookstore advertised several brands of balls, as well, including \u201cAtlantics,\u201d \u201cRed Stockings,\u201d \u201cStar,\u201d \u201cWhite Dead,\u201d and \u201cRed Dead.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 13px\">Hardwood bats were packaged and sold by the dozen.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-18 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-16\"><h3><strong>Una Base Ball Club<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>In May 1868, McCord reorganized the Continentals and named it the Una Base Ball Club.<\/p>\n<p>The Unas first took on local \u201cjunior nines\u201d such as the Unions, the Olympics, the Wickeds, the Tinners, and the White Stockings in the open lots at the west end of Cedar Street.<\/p>\n<p>Before long, they were playing weekly games and attracting large crowds at the National Fair Grounds (National Driving Park) off Portage Street in today\u2019s Edison Neighborhood.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-19 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-17\"><h3><strong>Kalamazoo vs. Detroit<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>By 1872, the Una Base Ball Club of Kalamazoo had become a force to be reckoned with.<\/p>\n<p>Still led by catcher and team captain Johnny McCord, the team\u2019s sights were set far beyond southwestern Michigan. In June, the Unas (with McCord at shortstop, Judge \u201cOld Ez\u201d White at third base, Tremaine at second, Lee Waterbury at first, William Sergeant in left field, George Wheelock in center field, Hart in right field, Demyer as catcher, and pitcher Thomas \u201cTommy\u201d Dorgan) boldly challenged Detroit\u2019s leading team to a match \u201cfor the championship of the State.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While the Detroit Empires were able to successfully defend the team\u2019s championship title, the\u00a0<em>Detroit Tribune<\/em>\u00a0described the Unas as \u201cthe crack club of Kalamazoo\u2026 an athletic body of men [that] possess good capacity as catchers and batters.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-20 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-18\"><h3><strong>Kalamazoo vs. Chicago<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Undaunted by the defeat in Detroit, the Unas reaffirmed their worth by beating the Chicago Liberties by a score of 30 to 18 in an exciting match during Kalamazoo\u2019s Fourth of July celebration at the National Driving Park.<\/p>\n<p>(The game was called after just six innings at Chicago\u2019s request; seems the Liberties had had enough.)<\/p>\n<p>According to the\u00a0<em>Kalamazoo Gazette<\/em>, \u201c\u2018the boys\u2019 played well, and they showed themselves to be good ball-tossers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Kalamazoo community could not have been more proud.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-21 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-19\"><h3><strong>Kalamazoo vs. Boston &amp; Toronto<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Three years later, the stakes grew even greater when Manager Harry Wright\u2019s \u201cworld champion\u201d Boston Red Caps came to town to play.<\/p>\n<p>The Bostons beat Kalamazoo 11-6, but called the Kalamazoo team \u201cthe best amateur club they [had] met, and better than some who style themselves professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A few weeks later, the Kalamazoo team was able to repair its slightly tarnished reputation by claiming total victory over the Toronto Tecumsehs in front of hundreds of cheering local fans.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-22 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-20\"><h3><strong>Kalamazoo Monitors<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>By the time America\u2019s centennial rolled around, the sport of baseball had become immensely popular.<\/p>\n<p>New game rules took effect in 1876 that mandated balls should be of a specific size and weight (and must be marked as such), bats were to be round, and umpires were to have full control of the game and the players.<\/p>\n<p>During the 1876 season, the Kalamazoo Monitors, captained by Oliver \u201cOllie\u201d Hungerford, cleaned up against rival clubs from Augusta, Vicksburg, and Sturgis.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-23 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-21\"><h3><strong>Dead Ball Era<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>By the late 1800s, baseball had become America\u2019s favorite pastime\u2014perhaps the most widely played sport in the country\u2014and it had changed considerably.<\/p>\n<p>No longer was it a casual game for the country club elite.<\/p>\n<p>Baseball had grown to become a rough and rowdy sport of the working class, where beer and cigars were seemingly required equipment, and ardent rivalries among local and regional teams were commonplace.<\/p>\n<p>Stories were told of competition between teams becoming so intense that umpires were compelled to bear arms, and the ultimate outcome of a hotly contested battle might well be decided with fists at the local watering hole after the game.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-24 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-22\"><h3><strong>State League (1887-1889)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Kalamazoo\u2019s earliest baseball teams fought their battles on whatever grounds they could find, from cornfields to cow pastures, sandlots to schoolyards, hayfields to horse tracks.<\/p>\n<p>Still, Kalamazoo fans had yet to enjoy the spectacle of seeing the home team play on a proper local baseball field.<\/p>\n<p>That all changed, however, during the spring of 1886, when leading regional players William \u201cBill\u201d Doyle and Ollie Hungerford spearheaded an effort to build a new ball park on vacant land along the north side of Wheaton Avenue near Davis Street, in what is now known as the Vine Neighborhood.<\/p>\n<p>Complete with grandstand seating for 450, the new field became a community showplace for the would-be local pennant contenders.<\/p>\n<p>With a brand new field to their credit and enthusiasm for the sport running higher than ever, Doyle and Hungerford put together a tough new team called the Kalamazoos, featuring many of the best local and regional players, including a formidable pair of pitchers from Baltimore and Chicago.<\/p>\n<p>With the new grandstand and bleacher boards typically filled to capacity, carriages full of spectators often lined up along the high ground above Davis Street, while youngsters climbed the nearby trees and peered through knotholes in the fences, just to catch a glimpse of the Kalamazoos at work.<\/p>\n<p>The team enjoyed a successful opening season, with attendance at most games reaching nearly a thousand or more.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-25 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-23\"><h3><strong>1887 State Championship<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>1887 would be a banner year for the Kalamazoo team.<\/p>\n<p>With the success of the opening season, a stock company was formed and Kalamazoo\u2019s semi-pro team, now simply called the Kazoos, joined the Ohio State League.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, the Kazoos topped the league that year with a 73-34 record, and defeated the championship Indianapolis team on the Wheaton Avenue grounds by a score of 5-3 for Kalamazoo\u2019s first ever league championship.<\/p>\n<p>A year later, the Tri-State League (Ohio, West Virginia, Michigan) was formed, but this time the Kalamazoo team didn\u2019t hold up so well and was forced to disband before the end of the season.<\/p>\n<p>In 1889, the first Michigan State League was organized, but Kalamazoo again saw very little success and was replaced by Flint in mid-season. Kalamazoo returned to independent play for the next five years as the league itself collapsed completely.<\/p>\n<p>Oliver Hungerford went on to become the proprietor of a series of well-respected billiard rooms in Kalamazoo, which he operated well into the nineteen teens.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-26 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-24\"><h3><strong>Michigan State League (1895, 1897)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>When league owners attempted to revive the Michigan State League in 1895, the Kazoos rejoined the action and fought their way back with a 3rd place finish in a 91 game season against such rivals as the Battle Creek Adventists, the Jackson Jaxons, and the Lansing Senators.<\/p>\n<p>Kalamazoo dropped out of the state league the following year, and returned once again to independent play.<\/p>\n<p>Plenty of excitement remained for the local fans however, as the 1896 Kalamazoo Zooloos took on teams from Otsego, Saginaw, Battle Creek, and even Adrian\u2019s mighty Page Fence Giants.<\/p>\n<p>Kalamazoo rejoined the Michigan State League in 1897, but the season was a short one.<\/p>\n<p>By July, the entire league had again collapsed, leaving Kalamazoo out of state league ball for nearly a decade.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-27 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-25\"><h3><strong>20<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0Century Baseball in Kalamazoo<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Aside from its state league contenders and local semi-pro teams, Kalamazoo boasted a host of early independent teams during the years around the dawn of the 20<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0century.<\/p>\n<p>Local and regional millworkers, factory workers, printers, machinists, cigar makers, and store clerks formed intense rivalries among themselves and with teams from surrounding communities.<\/p>\n<p>The Greenstockings took on the Paw Paws and the Wheel Works team fought the Printers.<\/p>\n<p>The Blues took on the Browns, the South Streets met the Daisies, the Gazette waged war against the News, and the Old Timers battled the Folz nine.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-28 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-26\"><h3><strong>The Ganzel Brothers<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>While the local teams gained notoriety during the late 19<sup>th<\/sup> century, Kalamazoo sports fans took great pride in following the success of Fred, Charlie, George, Joe, and John Ganzel, the notorious Ganzel brothers.<\/p>\n<p>These five kids from Kalamazoo would ultimately become known as Michigan\u2019s \u201cFirst Family\u201d of baseball, indeed some of the most well-known and highly respected sports heroes of their day.<\/p>\n<p>While Fred, George and Joe all played many years of independent ball locally and throughout Michigan, Charlie and John went on to become nationally known major league contenders.<\/p>\n<p>Charlie Ganzel enjoyed several winning seasons with the 1887 National League champion Detroit Wolverines before joining the Boston Beaneaters.<\/p>\n<p>Charlie remained Boston\u2019s catcher for nine consecutive seasons, including the famous 1889 pennant race against the world champion New York Giants (said to be one of the most exciting seasons in baseball history).<\/p>\n<p>His career included four National League championships (1891, 1892, 1893 and 1897) and one World Championship (1892).<\/p>\n<p>Years later, Charlie\u2019s son, Babe Ganzel, would play ball for the Washington Senators, and become a respected outfielder and team manager during the \u201830s and \u201840s.<\/p>\n<p>John \u201cBig Jawn\u201d Ganzel launched his professional career in the Newcastle (PA) Iron and Oil League before making his major league debut in 1898 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.<\/p>\n<p>After signing a three year contract with the New York Highlanders (now the Yankees) in 1903, John was credited with making the Highlanders\u2019 first ever triple play on 5 May 1903, and hitting the Highlanders\u2019 first ever home run a week later in front of a crowd of five thousand in Detroit, just 17 games into the Highlanders\u2019 inaugural season.<\/p>\n<p>John enjoyed a remarkable career, playing for and managing the Cincinnati Reds, the Rochester (NY) Broncos, and the Orlando Senators.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-29 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-27\"><h3><strong>Southern Michigan League (1906-1914)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Back in Kalamazoo, the Kalamazoo Base Ball Association (KBA) was formed in 1905, which gave fans of the sport \u201ca chance to show whether it [would] support an independent team or not\u201d (<em>Telegraph<\/em>).<\/p>\n<p>A new Kalamazoo team called the Kalamazoo White Sox was organized, with a former boxing promoter from Chicago named E. J. Ryan as manager.<\/p>\n<p>KBA secretary and treasurer C. W. Pickell soon replaced Ryan and led the team to a moderately successful season.<\/p>\n<p>The White Sox won three out the four games against Charlotte, tied one and won another against Petoskey, won one and lost one against Jackson, and ultimately defeated Battle Creek to close the season.<\/p>\n<p>In December, it was announced that Kalamazoo would be joining a new Michigan State League for 1906, along with teams from Grand Rapids, Lansing, Muskegon, Jackson, Ionia, Saginaw, and Flint, but that plan never exactly materialized.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, the (Class D) Southern Michigan League was formed the following spring with six regional teams, including the Kalamazoo White Sox.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-30 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-28\"><h3><strong>1910 State Championship<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>After three years of intense play, though still without a pennant, the Kalamazoo White Sox needed a change.<\/p>\n<p>In a contest organized by the <em>Kalamazoo Gazette<\/em>, locals were asked to submit nicknames for Kalamazoo\u2019s 1909 Southern Michigan League team.<\/p>\n<p>The fan\u2019s choice this time around was once again, the Kazoos.<\/p>\n<p>New uniforms and a new team name apparently did the trick.<\/p>\n<p>The Kazoos topped the league in 1910, and beat the Lansing Senators in a seven game championship series.<\/p>\n<p>This would be Kalamazoo\u2019s second state league title.<\/p>\n<p>The Kazoos enjoyed a nine year run with the Southern Michigan League, but by the end of the 1914 season, their steam had seemingly run out.<\/p>\n<p>After a dismal year, Kalamazoo finished 8<sup>th<\/sup> of 10 in the league with a 23-45 record. By mid-September, the season was over, the team members had scattered, and so it seems had the fans.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNot one fan,\u201d lamented the <em>Kalamazoo Gazette<\/em>, \u201chas raised his voice in demand for a club in 1915.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-31 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-29\"><h3><strong>Central League (1920-22)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>After the First World War, Kalamazoo quickly rekindled its enthusiasm for baseball.<\/p>\n<p>Dick Stoher\u2019s Goodale Eagles were a leading independent local contender during the late teens, and Kalamazoo was back with a fresh new team for the 1920 season called the Celery Pickers.<\/p>\n<p>(Kalamazoo was, of course, famous at the time for growing celery.)<\/p>\n<p>Managed by Rube Vickers, the Celery Pickers joined Michigan\u2019s newly formed Central League, along with teams from Grand Rapids, Ludington and Muskegon.<\/p>\n<p>After a slow start under manager Vickers, George Tomer took over and guided the team to a 64-60 record for the season<\/p>\n<p>The league added two more teams for the 1921 season; Jackson\/Ionia and Lansing.<\/p>\n<p>Kalamazoo finished the season with a respectable 69-58 record, and placed 2<sup>nd<\/sup>\u00a0in the league.<\/p>\n<p>Manager Grover Prough led the team through the bulk of the 1922 season, which resulted in a 4<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0place finish for the Kalamazoo team.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-32 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-30\"><h3><strong>Michigan-Ontario League (1923-24)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Martin H. \u201cMarty\u201d Becker, \u201ca player with a long and glorious career in the minors\u201d (<em>Springfield<\/em>\u00a0(MA)\u00a0<em>Republican<\/em>), signed on to play third base and manage the Kalamazoo team during the 1922 season.<\/p>\n<p>To cap the season, Becker organized an exhibition game in September against the National League Chicago Cubs, the first time that a major league team had come to play the locals since 1875 when Boston came to town.<\/p>\n<p>Some 2,500 fans \u201cjammed their way into Stationery Park\u201d (<em>Gazette<\/em>) to watch the Kalamazoo team take on the Cubs.<\/p>\n<p>Although Chicago beat the Kazoos 2-0, it was a hard fought battle and an exciting game.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAll in all,\u201d said the\u00a0<em>Kalamazoo Gazette<\/em>, \u201cthe day was a big success.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The following spring, the Kalamazoo team joined the Michigan-Ontario League, where they remained through the 1924 season.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-33 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-31\"><h3><strong>Michigan State League (1926)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>After a year out of league play, Kalamazoo returned in 1926 as a member of the Michigan State League, joining teams from Saginaw, Bay City, Port Huron, Flint, Grand Rapids, Ludington and Muskegon.<\/p>\n<p>The league was created in mid-June out of a merger between the (Class C) Central League and the (Class B) Michigan-Ontario League.<\/p>\n<p>But the season was disappointing all the way around.<\/p>\n<p>The Celery Pickers finished second from the bottom of the league with a 39-59 record, while the league itself only lasted the one season.<\/p>\n<p>This would be the end of professional men\u2019s league play in Kalamazoo for some seventy years.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-34 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-32\"><h3><strong>All-American Girls Professional Baseball League: The Kalamazoo Lassies (1950-54)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-margin-top:10px;--awb-margin-bottom:10px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-10 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"598\" height=\"396\" title=\"kalamazoo-lassies-19616-598\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/10\/kalamazoo-lassies-19616-598.jpg\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/10\/kalamazoo-lassies-19616-598.jpg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-21589\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27598%27%20height%3D%27396%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20598%20396%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27598%27%20height%3D%27396%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/10\/kalamazoo-lassies-19616-598-200x132.jpg 200w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/10\/kalamazoo-lassies-19616-598-400x265.jpg 400w, https:\/\/assets.northwoodsleague.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/10\/kalamazoo-lassies-19616-598.jpg 598w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 598px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-33\"><p>Even after a twenty-plus-year break from league play and another World War, Kalamazoo fans were still wild about the sport of baseball.<\/p>\n<p>During the late 1940s, local, regional, and academic teams created great excitement around town during the warm weather months, yet one local team took over the spotlight as few had ever done &#8211; the Kalamazoo Lassies.<\/p>\n<p>The Lassies were part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (later called simply the American Girls&#8217; Baseball League), an idea first conceived by Chicago\u2019s Phillip K. Wrigley in 1942 as a plan to keep the sport of baseball alive during the war.<\/p>\n<p>Originally formed in Muskegon in 1946, the Lassies moved to Kalamazoo in 1950, and played their first game in June in front of a crowd of 1,400.<\/p>\n<p>The Lassies were one of the more popular teams in the league, and they enjoyed a five-season run in Kalamazoo.<\/p>\n<p>But the American Girls&#8217; Baseball League had already peaked by the time the Lassies came to town, and by 1954 the league was in its final season.<\/p>\n<p>In September of that year, the Kalamazoo Lassies defeated the Fort Wayne Daisies by a score of 8-5 to win the league championship in what would be the final game of the American Girls&#8217; Baseball League.<\/p>\n<p>The 1992 film,\u00a0<em>A League of Their Own<\/em>, was a fictionalized account based on the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-35 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-34\"><h3><strong>Frontier League: Kalamazoo Kodiaks (1996-1998)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-margin-top:10px;--awb-margin-bottom:10px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-11 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"210\" height=\"120\" title=\"KalamazooKodiaks\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27210%27%20height%3D%27120%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20210%20120%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27210%27%20height%3D%27120%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/northwoodsleague.com\/kalamazoo-growlers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2013\/12\/KalamazooKodiaks.gif\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1084\"\/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-35\"><p>In 1996, the Frontier League\u2019s Mid-Missouri Mavericks moved to Michigan to become the Kalamazoo Kodiaks, marking the local community\u2019s much anticipated return to professional baseball.<\/p>\n<p>Despite a lackluster 25-49 opening season and a 4<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0place finish in the Western Division, the Kodiaks still managed to draw more than 62,000 fans, a strong testament indeed to the popularity of baseball in Kalamazoo.<\/p>\n<p>Two more tough seasons followed for the Kodiaks.<\/p>\n<p>1997 saw them finish with a 33-47 record (4<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0place in the league) and a dismal 25-54 record in 1998 to finish dead last.<\/p>\n<p>The team moved again and became the London (Ontario) Werewolves. Still, the overall popularity of the Kalamazoo Kodiaks was enough to inspire local investors to make significant improvements to the field at Sutherland Park.<\/p>\n<p>Renovations during this time included the addition of new aluminum seating, additional bleacher sections, and a press box above the old grandstand.<\/p>\n<p>The field would later be known as Homer Stryker Field, with more renovations to follow.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-36 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-36\"><h3><strong>Frontier League: Kalamazoo Kings (2001-2010)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-margin-top:10px;--awb-margin-bottom:10px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-12 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"286\" height=\"176\" title=\"Kings 1\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27286%27%20height%3D%27176%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20286%20176%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27286%27%20height%3D%27176%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/northwoodsleague.com\/kalamazoo-growlers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2013\/09\/Kings-1.jpg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-889\"\/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-37\"><p>In 2001, Kalamazoo returned to the Frontier League with a new team, the Kalamazoo Kings. The Kings were part of the league\u2019s Eastern Division, and unlike many others, they were not affiliated with a major league team.<\/p>\n<p>The opening season got off to a rough start for the Kings with a 25-50 record, but things slowly began to improve. Despite its lackluster record, the Kings were named Frontier League Organization of the Year for being the third Frontier League franchise to exceed 100,000 fans in a single season. In fact, the Kings topped 100,000 in attendance\u00a0<em>every<\/em>\u00a0year they were in the league, one of only a handful of teams to do so. With more than 135,000 fans in attendance during the 2004 season, the Kings shared the league\u2019s Organization of the Year award, then took the Frontier League Championship Series in 2005 and the Division Series in 2008.<\/p>\n<p>After a ten-season run with two division titles, three playoff appearances, and one league championship, the Kings closed up shop at the end of the 2010 season.<\/p>\n<p>2014 marks the exciting return of professional baseball to Kalamazoo. Since the days long ago when Kalamazoo was but a small frontier village, local fans have enthusiastically supported their local teams. In Kalamazoo, baseball is still very much America\u2019s game;\u00a0<em>our<\/em>\u00a0game.<\/p>\n<p>An expanded version of this article appears on the Kalamazoo Public Library website, kpl.gov<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-37 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:33.333333333333%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:5.76%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:5.76%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-38\"><h3><strong>Northwoods League: Kalamazoo Growlers (2014 &#8211; Present Day)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-margin-top:10px;--awb-margin-bottom:10px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-13 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1726\" title=\"kalamazoo growlers final 3\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%272400%27%20height%3D%271726%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%202400%201726%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%272400%27%20height%3D%271726%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/northwoodsleague.com\/kalamazoo-growlers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2013\/12\/main-logo_final.jpg\" alt class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-1353\"\/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-39\"><p>The Growlers were founded in 2013 and played their first game on the road on May 28, 2014 against the defending champions Madison Mallards.<\/p>\n<p>Their first home game was played on May 30, 2014 beating the Battle Creek Bombers 13-3 at Homer Stryker Field.<\/p>\n<p>On June 3, 2013, the Kalamazoo City Commission approved a contract with Kalamazoo Baseball, LLC to bring a team back to the city.<\/p>\n<p>The contract stipulated that the Northwoods League would pay expenses associated with the team&#8217;s home games, practice and the maintenance of Homer Stryker Field.<\/p>\n<p>On Nov. 15 of that year, the team was formally introduced as the Kalamazoo Growlers, a tribute to the city&#8217;s brewing tradition and the black bears that can be heard &#8220;growling&#8221; in the forests of Michigan.<\/p>\n<p>The Growlers have won the NWL Championship twice (2022, 2024) in five playoff appearances (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18077,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-377","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.5 (Yoast SEO v26.5) - 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