*Rockford Rivets sat in 12th place in overall attendance. Accumulating 43,684 fans between the regular season and playoff games. The Rivets saw a 14% increase in attendance. On July 4th, 2024 the Rivets broke a single game franchise attendance record with 4,218 fans.*

Rochester, Minn. – The Northwoods League is proud to announce that both its baseball and newly introduced softball leagues have shattered attendance records during the 2024 season, marking a historic achievement for the League and its teams. Northwoods League baseball games were attended by 1,339,157 fans during the regular season, breaking the previous record of 1,297,864 in 2023. With the All-Star game (2,305) and the playoffs (16,217) the League finished with a record high of 1,357,679 for the year.

This surge in attendance underscores the growing popularity of collegiate summer baseball, with fans flocking to ballparks across the upper Midwest and into Canada to support their local teams and witness the next generation of baseball talent. The Madison Mallards continue to lead all of summer collegiate baseball in attendance with over 217,000 fans through the gates of the Duck Pond. The Mallards had a season average of 6,202 over 35 openings. Traverse City, MI, Kenosha, WI, Kalamazoo, MI, and La Crosse, WI, round out the top five in attendance. The inaugural season of Northwoods League Softball saw remarkable success, with close to 48,000 fans attending games, a testament to the league’s strong debut and the excitement surrounding collegiate summer softball. The addition of softball to the Northwoods League family has provided a new platform for student-athletes and has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm by communities and fans alike.

The Madison Night Mares made a splash in their first season in Northwoods League softball with over 21,000 fans coming out to the ballpark across seventeen openings for a 1,250 average. La Crosse, WI, Mankato, MN, and Minot, ND, also had strong first years in the League helping to achieve an average of 782 fans across 61 openings.

“We are thrilled by the record-breaking attendance numbers this season,” said Northwoods League Baseball Chairman, Dick Radatz, Jr and Northwoods League Softball Chairman Kathy Radatz. “The passion and support from our fans has been incredible, and it’s clear that both our baseball and softball leagues have become essential parts of the summer experience in our communities. We look forward to continuing to provide top-tier entertainment and to growing both leagues in the years to come.”

As the Northwoods League continues to set the standard for summer collegiate baseball and softball, plans are already underway for the 2025 season. With expansion teams on the horizon and continued innovations in fan engagement, the league is poised for another record-breaking year.

2900 4th Street SW (507) 536-4579 Rochester, MN 55902 northwoodsleague.com

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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 31 st season, the Northwoods League 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, over 365 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 (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (STL) and World Series Champion 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 AllStar, MLB Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). League games are viewable live on Northwoods League+ (at watch.northwoodsleague.com), ESPN+, and the Northwoods League Network. Learn more and find complete streaming schedules at watchnwl.com. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com or download the Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play. Leveraging the 31-year success of the Northwoods League, the first for-profit Summer Collegiate Baseball League, Northwoods League Softball (NWLS) will be the first for-profit Women’s Summer Collegiate Softball League beginning 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