Northwoods League Expands, Adding Michigan’s Royal Oak Leprechauns
The Northwoods Baseball League has been busy recently. Earlier this year, they announced a new women's Softball league coming in 2024, And a number of Northwoods League alumni are playing in this year's MLB Postseason.
Now we learn, there are new teams coming to the league next year, and one of them will be the FOURTH Michigan team - the Royal Oak Leprechauns.
Royal Oak's ball club spent the past three years growing, and expanding their fan base. Now, the Northwoods league thought it appropriate to bring this hot team into the friendly confines of the Northwoods.
"This marks an exciting chapter for our league, and we're confident that the Leprechauns will continue to bring an exceptional baseball experience to Royal Oak and the entire Michigan region."
Northwoods League President Ryan Voz said the team is filled with exceptional talent, and a fun, family-friendly environment at the home, Memorial Park.
Meanwhile, the team's owner and general manager, Mark Sacket, is stoked for the change.
"By joining and competing in the Northwoods League, we'll have more games for our fans, more opportunities to partner with businesses and non-profits and create new rivalries with well-established Michigan and surrounding midwest teams."
And count on the Leprechauns to be competitive from the get-go, because their own team president, D.J. LeMahieu, is a current New York Yankee, and partners with the team.
"My vision with this team is to continue to provide a unique opportunity for players and coaches to improve their baseball skills and keep moving up. Partnering with the Northwoods league will provide that and give fans a great night out at the ballpark with our players and partners."
The Leprechauns are coming over from the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League, and join the Battle Creek Battle Jacks, Traverse City Pit Spitters, and Kalamazoo Growlers as the only Michigan teams in the league.
It's unclear how they'll get added into the league just yet, and which division they'll play in, but it is very likely they'll make appearances in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo this coming 2024 season.