Northern League

From SoSH

Northern League

Founded:	1993
No. of Teams:	6
Class:	Independent
Most recent champion:	Gary Southshore Railcats

The Northern League was founded in 1993 as one of the many Independent Baseball Leagues in Minor League Baseball. The Northern League's area is currently North Dakota, Indiana, Illinois, Kansasa and Canada. Play is characterized at the Double-A level.

1 League Information
2 Current Teams
3 Alumni
4 External Links
5 See Also

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League Information

The concept of reestablishing a totally independent professional baseball league was initially considered in the late 1970's. As a result of his experience as owner/general manager of the the Durham Bulls, then an Atlanta Braves affiliate, and his membership in the governing body of the National Association, Miles Wolff became interested in the idea of rekindling an independent league. Wolff saw both the advantages and disadvantages in being associated with the Major Leagues.

Wolff, in conjunction with several interested individuals, began the process of resurrecting the Northern League with the notion that town-based teams, rather than organization-grounded clubs could flourish in the right communities. During the fall of 1992, after over two years of planning, the fourth generation Northern League was born.

In 1993, the umpire shouted "Play Ball!" for the Northern League once again. Six initial franchises were located in places like Wade Stadium, a WPA facility, in Duluth, Minnesota, and at the Sioux Falls Stadium, which had housed the Packers of the third N.L.

Northern League ball also returned to Winnipeg Stadium, home to the Blue Bombers of the CFL.

A new facility, Lewis & Clark Park, was built in Sioux City, Iowa, for the inaugural season. Sioux City's tradition of pro ball goes back to the Western Association of the late 1890's. Sioux City fans had been without professional baseball since 1960.

Thunder Bay, Ontario, had been part of the second Northern League when the community was known as Fort William. The St. Paul Saints were led by an ownership group determined to bring back outdoor baseball to the Twin Cities area. The St. Paul community quickly adopted the Saints as part of their unique persona.

Once again a short season independent, the League began with a 72-game schedule in 1993 that had increased to 96 games by 2004. A divisional format was adopted in 1996 after expansion added Fargo-Moorhead and Madison.

Following the 1998 season, the Northern League merged with the Northeast League, creating a 16-team Northern League with Eastern and Central Divisions that faced each other in the All-Star Game and Championship Series. After the Central Division added Gary and Joliet in 2002, the Northern League, under the direction of then-commisioner Mike Stone, returned to its original format for 2003.

Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta joined the league in 2005 to give the circuit two six-team divisions. The 2005 season ended in cinderella fashion as the Gary SouthShore RailCats, losers of a league record 65 games in 2004, defeated the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, who had posted a league mark of 68 regular season wins, in an exciting five-game Championship Series.

Changes in the Independent League landscape will mean an eight-team Northern League in 2006. Gary, Joliet, Kansas City, and Schaumburg will comprise the East Division with Calgary, Edmonton, Fargo-Moorhead, and Winnipeg in the West.

The Northern League continues to be acknowledged as the the pre-eminent modern era independent league. Over two million fans attended Northern League games in 2005, and the league average of 3,888 ranked as sixth highest among the 20 Minor Leagues, best among Independents.

The Northern League's success has contributed to a growth in independent baseball that will see seven leagues across the United States in operation in 2006. With continued interest from communities and ownership groups hoping for expansion, the future of the Northern League will surely prove to be as dynamic as its storied and proud history.

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