TEN HOT TOTS EARN “IRON MAN” DISTINCTION IN 2026

MINOT, ND — It takes a special kind of baseball player to commit to a full season of Northwoods League Baseball. From the travel to the everyday action and the talent level, Northwoods League Baseball is not your regular summer league.

This season, ten athletes came up to Minot in May and dedicated their summers to improving their game and carrying on the Hot Tots tradition of reliability, durability and grit. To qualify, players must have been active for 50 or more game days and played into the month of August.

Recipients of the Iron Man award powered by Iron Horse Kitchen and Bar were: Kevin Rahe, Cade Dickinson, Gavin Pacheco, Tyler Arnold, Isaac Huettl, Micah McCoy, Clayton Stewart, Drew Reaves and Joe DuSell.

“I can’t say enough about each one of those guys both on and off the field,” said field manager Brian Lewis. “I think this experience for them will do nothing but catapult not only their baseball careers, but their lives. My hat’s off to them.”

The ten Iron Men each played a pivotal part in the summer season for the Hot Tots. Kevin Rahe set the franchise record for pitching appearances in a single season with 23 and counting. Micah McCoy joined rare Minot air as a member of the 50-hit club. Tyler Arnold represented the Hot Tots at the Northwoods League All-Star Game at the Field of Dreams as a Home Run Challenge participant. 

Stewart, Pacheco and Dickinson were key members of the Minot bullpen, supplying much-needed innings all season long.

Drew Reaves was the ultimate utility man playing all different positions, and even pitching. Joe DuSell and Isaac Huettl arrived a little later than the rest, but still put in major contributions defensively and at the dish.

“To put in that kind of effort every single day, to embrace the grind, the ups and downs, the long bus rides, all the stuff that goes into it, they’re pure pros,” Lewis added.

The Minot Hot Tots are appreciative of these player’s efforts and look forward to another batch of hard-working Iron Men in 2027.