Willmar, Minn. – A familiar face will return to the Beehive for the Home Opener on Sunday, June 1^st. The Stingers organization and fans welcome back Michael Suchy, easily one of its most popular players in the team’s 15-year franchise history.

His large stature and grizzly beard warranted him his own bobblehead a few seasons after playing for the Stingers.

Suchy played two seasons for the Stingers (2011 and 2012) and was a standout hitter and outfielder from Florida Gulf Coast University. He was a 2012 Northwoods League All-Star and batted .349 on the season with eight home runs and 62 runs batted in.

Following his collegiate career at Florida Gulf Coast University, he was drafted in the 5th round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He went on to play five seasons of professional baseball in the Pirates’ minor league system, finishing with over 150 RBIs and earning high marks for both his power and defense.

Suchy will throw out the ceremonial first pitch as the 2025 Opening Night festivities presented by J.D. Kreps Financial Group. Live music “Hops and Honey” will begin at 3:30 p.m. at the entrance of the ballpark and gates open at 4 p.m.

The 1^st 250 fans will receive a magnet schedule as the Stingers welcome back the Thunder Bay Border Cats to Bill Taunton Stadium.

Though his professional playing career has concluded, Suchy remains a supporter of baseball and credits his summer in Willmar as a defining chapter in his journey to playing professional baseball.

Don’t miss it…. join the Stingers and give Suchy a warm Willmar welcome back as the organization kicks off the 16th season of Northwoods League Baseball.

Season ticket packages, group tickets, and Kwik Trip 5-game and 7-game plans are available for the 2025 season. The Kwik Trip ticket plans include select premium games throughout the summer that includes the 2025 Home Opener and Fan Appreciation Night. For more information and for other stories on the Willmar Stingers click here to visit wctrib.com, your official information source for Stingers Baseball.

Visit willmarstingers.com or call 320-222-2010 to reserve your seats today. The 2025 season is presented by J.D. Kreps Financial Group, empowering investors with powerful financial advice.

About the Willmar Stingers:
The Willmar Stingers are a member of the Northwoods League, the premier summer collegiate baseball league in North America. The Stingers provide affordable, family-friendly entertainment while showcasing the top college baseball talent from across the country.

For more information about the Willmar Stingers, visit willmarstingers.com or contact the front office (320)222-2010 or info@willmarstingers.com

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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. Entering its’ 32^nd season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history 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, nearly 2400 NWL alums have been drafted and over 380 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 (TOR), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford 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 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove, two-time 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.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.