Willmar, MN- The Willmar Stingers are set to keep an exciting Northwoods League tradition alive on Thursday for a sold out crowd as they celebrate the eighth annual Beetles Night.
Willmar will rebrand to the Alexandria Beetles as they play host to the St. Cloud Rox.
Since the 2016 season, the Stingers have turned their black and yellow to black and purple for one night to honor the former Northwoods League franchise.
The Beetles entered the league in 2001 alongside the Madison Mallards and were rebranded to the Alexandria Blue Anchors in 2013.
During its tenure as the Beetles, Alexandria made two playoff appearances and produced MLB alumni such as 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX) and Allen Craig (STL & BOS).
The Beetles played their home games at Knute Nelson Memorial Park, the same venue that has welcomed back the Stingers each year.
Willmar has had successful returns to Alexandria including a 5-2 victory against the Eau Claire Express in 2022.
The rebrand will kick off a two-game series with the Rox, as the Beetles will rebrand back to the Stingers for the finale on Friday.
For more coverage of the Stingers, visit the West Central Tribune online at www.wctrib.com.
The 2023 season is presented by J.D. Kreps Financial Group, empowering investors with powerful financial advice.
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The Willmar Stingers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Now in its 30th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 24 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 325 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 World Series Champion Max Scherzer (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. For more information, visit www.willmarstingers.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Stingers as your favorite team.