Pros' and Cons? Comments? Scouting activity?
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Most "professionally" run league out there. Probably the 2nd best league behind the Cape Cod League.
Does your son have an opportunity to play in this league?
Have you research the teams and ownership?
Do you realize that the teams draw 5,000 people to their games?
This could be the #1 College Summer League.
Teams are "sold"if available for $1 million each.
\Bob
Have you research the teams and ownership?
Do you realize that the teams draw 5,000 people to their games?
This could be the #1 College Summer League.
Teams are "sold"if available for $1 million each.
\Bob
The Northwoods League, as far as field conditions, entertainment, crowds, summer fun and coeds went by Cape Cod League years ago.
Several clubs have 7,000+ in attendance.
Several clubs have 7,000+ in attendance.
It is one of the two premier leagues as others have said.
Be aware that they play 76 games over the summer and go from June to Mid-August. This could be an issue if you are a pitcher and the team starts to run out of arms.
Be aware that they play 76 games over the summer and go from June to Mid-August. This could be an issue if you are a pitcher and the team starts to run out of arms.
An excellent league, certainly not one of your nonprofits, these teams are money-makers for private owners. Well-scouted certainly, a lot of nice stadiums and well-run business operations, but a very long season with some very long trips.
Wow, 76 games? Valley League teams play 44 games, and that's going 8 weeks, 6 nights a week, with some nights off and some rainout nights.
Wow, 76 games? Valley League teams play 44 games, and that's going 8 weeks, 6 nights a week, with some nights off and some rainout nights.
My son played for a NWL team 2 summers ago. Had a blast but it is a long season, especially if you've already played over 50 games during the college season. He lived with a wonderful host family that let him use their truck all summer. The team fed them after games but that gets old quick so we did send him money for extra food and gas. Host family treated him like one of their own. Great crowds at the games and fun for the players to participate in all the activities that go on around the games. Really competitive teams with lots of good players. Games were broadcast on-line and since we're west coasters it was nie to be able to listen to all the games.
Would highly recommend this league for any college bb player. The only expenses were airfare, some food and entertainment money, and we sent the host family several presents/ gift cards to show our appreciation. Son has stayed in touch with his host family.There are 2 divisions now so the bus rides aren't too long anymore.
Would highly recommend this league for any college bb player. The only expenses were airfare, some food and entertainment money, and we sent the host family several presents/ gift cards to show our appreciation. Son has stayed in touch with his host family.There are 2 divisions now so the bus rides aren't too long anymore.
Son played for the Madison Mallards two summers in a row and absolutely loved it. Top-drawing summer collegiate team in the country with nearly 7,000 fans a game. It was carnival with promotions including a duck zip-line, baby races, a monkey-on-a-dog show.. every night it was something.
The boys would show up to the games three hours early to practice, play three hours, then sign autographs for an hour more. A full-time job. Then they'd jump on a bus to the next town. There were only a few off days and by the end of the summer all of the players were exhausted but had the best times of their lives.
BTW most of the players on his team were eventually drafted. The Northwoods League is fantastic.
The boys would show up to the games three hours early to practice, play three hours, then sign autographs for an hour more. A full-time job. Then they'd jump on a bus to the next town. There were only a few off days and by the end of the summer all of the players were exhausted but had the best times of their lives.
BTW most of the players on his team were eventually drafted. The Northwoods League is fantastic.
Often considered the league that most closely mirrors a minor league environment. 70 games in 75 days, wood bats, bus rides and highly skilled players. As noted players stay with host families. For kids who love baseball it's a great option. It's a real grind, but all the players I've talked to who have played in the league had a great experience.
My son had a great time in this league and found it to be all those positive things being mentioned. He says it was a GREAT experience.
So, as one can see there are a lot of positive things about the league and its format. From what I observed, as far as con's go, there is a couple others beside the grind of playing so many games with little or virtually no time off. That fact means there's almost no time for workouts to work on things like mechanics except to try and make adjustments during game situations. If you're a player going into the summer struggling with your throwing, your batting or fielding. . .you're not going to find much time or much coaching to work on it given the time constraints of the number of games and traveling. So, this might be an issue for some depending on what one's goals are for the summer.
I noted during the time my son was there that some players found "the grind" to be too much and not able to make adjustments to find much success in their playing and they didn't finish the summer seasons because of that. For me, it was kind of fascinating to see that there were some players who apparently didn't have the mental toughness for the grind of playing day after day after day along with the traveling. (Note, the players there don't really play EVERY day in every game, but they ARE at least in the dugout ready to play at every game)
So, as one can see there are a lot of positive things about the league and its format. From what I observed, as far as con's go, there is a couple others beside the grind of playing so many games with little or virtually no time off. That fact means there's almost no time for workouts to work on things like mechanics except to try and make adjustments during game situations. If you're a player going into the summer struggling with your throwing, your batting or fielding. . .you're not going to find much time or much coaching to work on it given the time constraints of the number of games and traveling. So, this might be an issue for some depending on what one's goals are for the summer.
I noted during the time my son was there that some players found "the grind" to be too much and not able to make adjustments to find much success in their playing and they didn't finish the summer seasons because of that. For me, it was kind of fascinating to see that there were some players who apparently didn't have the mental toughness for the grind of playing day after day after day along with the traveling. (Note, the players there don't really play EVERY day in every game, but they ARE at least in the dugout ready to play at every game)
Son will be playing for St Cloud Rox next summer...looking forward to it..