(Mankato, MN) – The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club, a member of the Northwoods League, is proud to announce they will be hosting the 2007 Northwoods League All-Star Banquet on Tuesday, July 10, at the Best Western in Mankato at 6:00 pm. Guest speakers will be highlighted by Minnesota Twins General Manager Terry Ryan along with Northwoods League President Dick Radatz, Jr., MoonDogs Owner and President Joe Schwei, and MoonDogs General Manager Kyle Mrozek. The banquet will also feature the Northwoods League North and South Division All-Stars.

Terry Ryan has been the Vice President and General Manager of the Minnesota Twins since 1994. In 2002, the Twins were named Organization of the Year by Baseball America and Sportsticker, and Ryan was named Executive of the Year by Sporting News, a feat he repeated in 2006. In addition to the awards given by the Sporting News, Baseball America named Ryan Executive of the Year in 2004 and the Negro League Baseball Museum honored Ryan with their 2006 Rube Foster Award for best Major League Baseball executive. Ryan is the head of a Twins organization that has won four out of the last five American League Central Division Championships.

Dick Radatz, Jr. is the co-founder and current president of the Northwoods League. Prior to starting the Northwoods League, Radatz worked for the Los Angeles Dodgers as an administrative assistant, and for the Boston Red Sox in several positions, including General Manager of the Red Sox New York-Penn League team, manager of the business operations for the Red Sox Spring Training, and as General Manager of the Red Sox Florida State League team, where he was named Executive of the Year. Radatz also served as the Assistant Director of Operations for Michigan Special Olympics.

MoonDogs Owner Joe Schwei spent five seasons as General Manager of the St. Cloud River Bats before starting the Mankato MoonDogs in 2002. During his tenure in St. Cloud, the River Bats won four division titles, two Northwoods League Championships, and led the league in attendance from 1998-2000. Schwei also co-founded the Alexandria Beetles.

MoonDogs General Manager Kyle Mrozek is in his fifth season running the MoonDogs. The MoonDogs have seen new season attendance records each year Mrozek has been at the helm, and once again this season have seen a new single-game attendance record already broken.

With the purchase of an All-Star Banquet ticket, fans will receive a meal, as well as have the opportunity to hear guest speakers and meet with the Northwoods League All-Star players. Tickets are $20 and are limited for this event. All-Star Banquet tickets are available now at the MoonDogs office or by calling the Mankato MoonDogs office at 507-625-7047.

In addition to the All-Star Banquet, Mankato will host the 13th Annual Northwoods League All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 11th at Franklin Rogers Park. Preceding the All-Star Game will be a home run derby that will start at 5:45 PM with gates opening at 4:45 PM. This year’s Northwoods League All-Star Game will be televised for the first time on ESPNU and ESPN360. General Admission tickets are on sale now for $8 through the Mankato MoonDogs office or by calling the Mankato MoonDogs at 507-625-7047.