Rochester, Minn. – The Northwoods League, the country’s largest summer collegiate baseball league currently operating in the US and Canada, announced today that Gary Hoover has been promoted to President after serving as Vice President and General Counsel.

Hoover has served as the League’s General Counsel since 2007, and has been Vice-President since February 2014.  In his capacity as VP and General Counsel, Hoover has worked on League expansion, facility leasing, and assisted in the development of new initiatives including an online ticketing system, video broadcasting agreements with Google/You Tube, and the creation of the Northwoods League Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation operating primarily in the communities where the Northwoods League has teams.

“I’m very excited to assume some of the duties previously held by Dick, and look forward to working with him and the very talented group of people in the League office,” said Hoover.  “Dick co-founded the League and masterfully grown it to the point where we believe it has had an enormous influence on baseball nationwide.  I plan to follow his cue and continue the League’s growth and having a positive impact on the Northwoods League, its Affiliates, and the communities where we play – while having fun.”

Dick Radatz, Jr. – who co-founded the Northwoods League in 1994 and who has served as President and CEO since 1996 – will maintain his role as Chairman of the Board.  “I am pleased to pass the torch to Gary, as I have worked with him now for several years and have seen firsthand his commitment to the League and its development,” said Radatz.  “While I will continue a very active role at the League, I enthusiastically welcome Gary as our new President and look forward to working with him as we team to make the League even stronger.”

Gary earned an MBA from the University of Denver, a Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law, and Bachelor of Science Degree from Metropolitan State University.  Gary is married with two grown children, and resides in Michigan.

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The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 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, more than 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (KC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website.  For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.