Madison Night Mares to Host Inaugural Northwoods League Softball All-Star Game

All-Star Game festivities will include a Home Run Challenge and youth softball tournament

Rochester, Minn – The Northwoods League and The Madison Night Mares are proud to announce that the inaugural Northwoods League Softball All-Star Game will be held at Warner Park the weekend of July 11th, 2026.

Northwoods League Softball will have six teams during the 2026 season. The All-Star teams will be composed of three teams each, members of the Madison Night Mares, La Crosse Steam, and the Wausau Ignite on one team, and players from the Grand Forks Spitfires, Mankato Habaneros, and the Minot Honeybees on the other.

The All-Star Game will also feature a Home Run Challenge, which will be played bracket-style with eight players. Further details on the Home Run Challenge will be announced at a later date.

The All-Star Game festivities will be accompanied by a 12U and 14U youth softball tournament hosted at Warner Park and Madison College, the Night Mares Turf Classic. To sign your team up for the 12U tournament, click here. To sign your team up for the 14U tournament, click here.

“Hosting the inaugural Northwoods League Softball All-Star Game is an incredible opportunity for the Madison community,” said Night Mares and Mallards General Manager Samantha Rubin. “We will be showcasing the best talent in Northwoods League softball, as well as creating an amazing environment for youth softball. With the Night Mares Turf Classic running alongside the festivities, we’re excited to create an environment where young players can see what’s possible at the next level!”

Group outings and sponsorship opportunities for the Night Mares 2026 season are available now. More information can be found at madisonnightmares.com. For other questions about the Madison Night Mares, email info@madisonnightmares.com.

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Leveraging the 32-year success of the Northwoods League, the first for-profit Summer Collegiate Baseball League, Northwoods League Softball (NWLS) is the first for-profit Women’s Summer Collegiate Softball League which began play in the Upper Midwest in the summer of 2024.  The purpose of the League will be to develop players for their college, Olympic and future professional play.  Teams will be promoted similar to minor league baseball teams, playing games in front of fans in a fun, friendly, family-oriented environment.

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Northwoods League Baseball is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 32nd season, Northwoods League Baseball is the largest organized baseball league in history with 26 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, nearly 2400 NWL alums have been drafted and over 410 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and two-time World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TOR), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford and World Series Champion and Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove, two-time Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX).