The Story of Paddy O’Dinger

From 1830 – 1850, Irish settlers ended up in an area of land located roughly in southeastern Jackson County and northwest Lenawee County in Southeast Michigan.  This area became known as the Irish Hills.  Legend has it that many of these people knew of the great Leprechaun who frolicked in these hills and soon would return…. But never knew when.

In 2015, about 165 years later, the Mighty Leprechaun did return.  The rumblings of the Michigan International Speedway rolled those hills so hard that the ole Leprechaun began to emerge.  At this same time, the Northwoods League was looking to expand and the Irish Hills were rolling up their hills to claim the return of the great leprechaun.  

Now the great Leprechauns emerged but after five years, they couldn’t quite make a stir in the hills of the Irish.  There was a greater force calling their name and that came from the city of Royal Oak.   It was Duggans, The Blarney Stone, the Irish Tavern, and the Twisted Shamrock who pulled the mighty Leprechaun out of the pot of gold and into the limelight at Royal Oak Memorial Park.

When current MLB All Star DJ LeMahieu agreed to support the renovation of field #3 at Memorial Park, we could hear Terrance Mann’s quote from the field of dreams…. “This field, this game: it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh… people will come Ray.”

This new field, new park will bring people and with people, they need a leader.   Our Mighty Leprechaun was new to the area.   He needed a name and after a contest won by Patrick Ebbing, there was no better name than Paddy O’Dinger.  Paddy is not alone, there are more, and they will continue to come.  They will bring entertainment enjoyed by the kids and the families and they players?  They will come from all across America to play on this field of dreams.   Yes, they will come and Paddy O’Dinger will be there to give them the luck that they need to become the stars of tomorrow.   Oh yes, Ray, they will come…..

The Royal Oak Leprechauns are a wood bat summer collegiate baseball team in the Northwoods League. We play at the beautiful Memorial Park located at Woodward and 13 Mile in the City of Royal Oak, Michigan. Come out and see the best of what collegiate baseball has to offer in Metro Detroit. Bring the family out for an up-close experience for the kids, or any baseball fan. With all-star caliber talent from around the county, our roster plays a blend of winning baseball that electrifies every summer night and afternoon right at the lucky corner. Come grab a beer, great food, and experience a premium summer league baseball outing.