(Mankato, MN)—The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club, a member of the Northwoods League, is proud to announce the release of the 2005 MoonDogs game schedule.

The 2005 schedule, which has been increased to 68 games, up four games from 64 in 2004, will allow fans to see the MoonDogs 34 times at home, throughout the 2005 season. Along with the extra chances to see the ’Dogs, fans will also have the opportunity to see an additional two expansion teams which were added to the NWL this year. The Eau Claire Express, (Eau Claire, WI) and the Brainerd Blue Thunder (Brainerd, MN) will both make their Northwoods League debuts in 2005.

The Mankato MoonDogs will open the 2005 season on the road against the defending 2004 Northwoods League Champion Madison Mallards, in Madison, WI on June 1, 2005. They will return home to take on their North Division rival and perennial Northwoods League playoff contender St. Cloud River Bats, on Monday, June 6 at 7:05 p.m. As custom, opening night will not only dazzle fans during the game, but a post-game fireworks extravaganza will follow as well.

Fans will get their first chance to see the black and blue of the Brainerd Blue Thunder, as they try to storm their way into Mankat0 on Sunday June 12, for a two-game series.

The 2004 North Division Champion Duluth Huskies, make their debut on Thursday, June 16, while the orange and black of the Eau Claire Express will pull into Mankato’s station for the first time on Friday, July 8, also for a two-game series.

The Alexandria Beetles will play host to the 2005 All-Star game on Wednesday, July 13, as all 12 teams from the Northwoods League send representatives to northern Minnesota for the annual event.

The MoonDogs first home game of the second half of the season will be on Sunday, July 17 against our friendly neighbors to the north, the Thunder Bay Border Cats.

The MoonDogs final homestand, August 9-10, will feature the MoonDogs against the Alexandria Beetles with another spectacular fireworks display following the game on August 10.

The regular season will conclude with the MoonDogs in Brainerd on Sunday, August 14. The 2005 playoffs are set for Division Series August 15-17, while the Championship Series will be held August 18-20.

For more information about the 2005 schedule or to purchase season tickets and reserve your seat at all 34 MoonDogs home games in 2005, please call the MoonDogs Ticket office at 507-625-7047.