{"id":20545,"date":"2025-09-26T09:40:32","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T15:40:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northwoodsleague.com\/willmar-stingers\/?p=20545"},"modified":"2025-09-26T09:40:32","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T15:40:32","slug":"stingers-welcome-back-freddy-smith-as-the-2026-field-manager","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northwoodsleague.com\/willmar-stingers\/2025\/09\/26\/stingers-welcome-back-freddy-smith-as-the-2026-field-manager\/","title":{"rendered":"Stingers Welcome Back Freddy Smith as the 2026 Field Manager"},"content":{"rendered":"

Willmar, MN \u2013<\/strong> He\u2019s Back!<\/p>\n

The Willmar Stingers are excited to announce that Freddy Smith will return as the field manager as he has signed a two-year agreement to lead the Stingers in 2026 and 2027.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Northwoods League represents the pinnacle of summer collegiate baseball and there\u2019s no place I\u2019d rather be than back in the dugout with the Willmar Stingers,\u201d Smith said. \u201cThe community is like a second home to me and I am grateful to be back with such a successful organization.\u201d<\/p>\n

Under his previous leadership, Willmar posted back-to-back-to-back record-setting campaigns, including three post-season appearances during his initial tenure. The Stingers posted a 48\u201320 record in 2022, along with a 51\u201316 finish in 2023 and another outstanding 44-26 record in 2024. In 2023, Smith earned the Northwoods League Manager of the Year honors and holds the highest winning percentage in team\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

During his time in Willmar, Smith helped develop players while also setting league and team records. The Stingers set consecutive league scoring records, league stolen base records and secured top playoff seeds in the Great Plains Division.<\/p>\n

In 2024, the Stingers also set team records in batting average (.304), home runs (75), stolen bases (251), and runs scored (589). On the mound, the pitching staff contributed a franchise-best 628 strikeouts as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe success on the field was fun, but the support from the fans, front office, and host families make coaching in Willmar so special,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n

Smith has spent the past five out of six years coaching in the league starting in 2019 with the Waterloo Bucks. Smith has spent the college season with a variety of top programs such as the University of Hawaii, Georgia State University and California State University-Northridge.<\/p>\n

\u201cFreddy has created the right culture and brings an unmatched work ethic to the Beehive,\u201d said Ryan Voz, Stingers co-owner. \u201cThe combination of his baseball knowledge and his ability to connect with players has been a driving force in our success and we couldn\u2019t be more thrilled to welcome him back for 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the Stingers prepare for the 17th<\/sup> year of Northwoods League baseball and Smith\u2019s return, the excitement is high, and fans should be witnessing another exciting season at Bill Taunton Stadium.<\/p>\n

Smith along with the Stingers front office have begun recruiting next year\u2019s team and will begin hiring the assistant coaches for next summer as well.<\/p>\n

Freddy Smith \u2013 Stingers Coaching Record<\/strong><\/p>\n