Madison, WI – January 6, 2009. The Northwoods League South Division Champion Madison Mallards are excited to announce the 2009 game schedule has been released, with the team’s home opener slated for Monday, June 1 at 7:05 p.m. against the Rochester Honkers. Highlights of the schedule include a six-game homestand to begin the season from June 1 to June 6; 16 home dates in June; a day/night doubleheader on Sunday, July 12; six Saturday games (including Rhythm & Booms on June 27); and a four-game homestand to conclude the regular season from August 7 to August 10.

The NWL’s 16th season will begin on Thursday, May 28 with the Mallards traveling to play the Alexandria Beetles at 6:05 p.m. This marks the first time since 2004 the team will start the season on the road.

All 14 teams play the other six teams within their own division eight times during the summer; teams play four games against five of the teams in the other division, leaving two inter-division opponents off their schedule. Due to an inter-division schedule rotation that has been in effect since 2007, the defending NWL Champion Thunder Bay Border Cats and Mallards will not meet in the 2009 regular season.

The Border Cats and Port Arthur Stadium will play host to the league’s 15th annual all-star game on Tuesday, July 21.

The Mallards entire season schedule can be found by clicking on the “schedule” link at Mallardsbaseball.com.

Note: Single-game tickets will remain the same price for the 2009 season.