Northwoods League announces 2014 Schedule
Mankato, MN (November 25, 2013) – The Mankato MoonDogs have announced their schedule for the 2014 season. That scheudle features a lot of changes for bot the team and the Northwoods League. The 2014 season will have 18 teams, division realignment, Inter-Division play, two doubleheader games and and expansion to 72 regular season games. The MoonDogs home opener will be on Wednesday May 28th at Franklin Rogers Park against the Alexandria Blue Anchors. Like in years past, the home opener will feature a special guest and a fireworks extravaganza!
The Northwoods League, now the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams after the addition of Kenosha (WI) and Kalamazoo (MI) in the off-season, will begin its 21st season on Tuesday, May 27, when all teams take the field for summer collegiate baseball&rsquos most extensive schedule, at 72 games. In addition to expanding from 70 to 72 games for 2014, the League re-aligned its divisions with Eau Claire (WI) going to the North, and the Kalamazoo Growlers and Kenosha Kingfish joining the South. The South now consists of eight teams in Wisconsin, including the defending Northwoods League Champion, the Madison Mallards.
The League, which plays two halves to determine playoff participants, similar to most professional minor leagues, will end the first half of play on June 30 with the second half beginning the following day. The first and second half division winners from both the North and South divisions will meet in a best-of-three Divisional Playoff Series from August 11-13. The North and South Division Champions will then meet in a best-of-three series for the Summer Collegiate World Series from August 14-16.
The Northwoods League's 20th All-Star game will take place at Kapco Park on July 22, 2014 in Mequon, WI, where the Lakeshore Chinooks will host the event for the first time since their inauguration into the League in 2012. The Big League Dreams Showcase event will take place at Warner Park on August 5, 2014 in Madison, WI again, for its second year.
"We are excited to be going into our 21st season," said Northwoods League President Dick Radatz, Jr., "It's wonderful to reflect on where we started and where we are now with 18 teams, a 72-game schedule, our 20th All-Star Game and our second Big League Dreams Showcase event."
The Mankato MoonDogs are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 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, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including MLB All-Stars Max Scherzer (DET), Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYY), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live and free of charge via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit mankatomoondogs.com
