Northwoods League Softball Coming in 2024
Leveraging the 30-year success of the Northwoods League, the first for-profit Summer Collegiate Baseball League, Northwoods League Softball (NWLS) will be the first for-profit Women’s Summer Collegiate Softball League beginning play in the Upper Midwest in the summer of 2024. The purpose of the League will be to develop players for their college, Olympic and future professional play. Teams will be promoted similar to minor league baseball teams, playing games in front of fans in a fun, friendly, family-oriented environment.
All athletes that have softball college eligibility remaining. Select graduated High School players admitted to college will also be eligible for play.
A 40-game season will begin in mid-June and run until early August, culminating in a playoff crowning a League Champion. The majority of games will be single games, often played in the evening (select day games and doubleheaders may be scheduled).
Each team will recruit a 16-person roster (typically 4 Pitchers, 3 Catchers, 4 Infielders, 4 Outfielders, and a Utility/DH). The contract signature window will open September 5, 2023. Applications to play are being accepted now, however teams will not begin signing players until September 5. Invited players will be sent a digital Uniform Player Contract to fill out. Click HERE to submit an application.
Each full-season player will pay $305 to play. Players will be provided housing with host families in their respective home cities, travel to and from away games by charter bus, hotel accommodations on the road and three daily meals while traveling. The League will also cover the cost of all uniforms, catcher’s equipment, balls, bats, and umpires. Players may bring their own bats for in-game use. Players are responsible for travel to and from their respective League city at the beginning and end of the season.
Typically, up and coming college coaches and former coaches will coach NWLS teams.
All NWLS games will either be streamed or viewed via network delivery using a 4-camera HD production that is available in all League venues.
Apply to Play HERE
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
