FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
The Northwoods League has announced the rosters for the 2011 Northwoods League All-Star Game, which will be played on Monday, July 18th at 7:05 pm (CT) at Witter Field in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
The Eau Claire Express and Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers are the South and North Division teams, respectively, that will be represented by the most players. Both teams finished in second place in the standings during the first half of the season. Eau Claire had seven players voted to the South Division roster, including two catchers. Nolan Clark (Yavapai) and Zac Fisher (New Mexico State) join Wisconsin Woodchuck Carlos Escobar, Jr. (Nevada) as the trio of catchers voted to the South squad. Escobar is the NWL’s leading hitter with a .374 batting average. Brainerd Lakes Area will send six players to the All-Star Game including the League’s top pitcher at the mid-point of the season. Left-hander Joe Willman (Northern Colorado) touts a league-best 0.75 ERA and a 4-0 record through 36 innings.
The Mankato MoonDogs were the North Division Champions in the first half of the season. MoonDogs’ third-year Field Manager Mike Orchard and his staff will coach the North squad in the All-Star Game and be joined by four of their players including NWL home run and RBI leader Shaun Cooper (Utah). Cooper has 10 home runs and 32 RBIs in 29 games.
The Battle Creek Bombers won the first-half championship in the South Division. Bombers’ first-year manager Donnie Scott will bring his staff and five players to Witter Field, including half of the starting infield for the South. Brett Wiley (Evansville) is batting .350 and will start at second base while Troy White (Northern Illinois) brings his .315 average and 5 home runs to third base.
Florida Gulf Coast University will be represented by more Northwoods League All-Stars in 2011 than any other school. All three were voted to the North Division team. Willmar Stingers outfielder Sean Dwyer will be joined by right-handed pitchers Jason Forjet of Brainerd Lakes Area and Ricky Knapp of Willmar. Eight other schools have two players apiece.
This year’s All-Stars were chosen in a vote by the 16 member teams of the Northwoods League. Ballots were cast by each team’s field staff and media contacts.
North Division
The 2011 Northwoods League All-Star Game festivities kick off on Sunday, July 17th, the day before the game. At 2 pm it’s the Marshfield Clinic Home Run Health Fest. That will be followed by the Northwoods League Home Run Derby at 4:30. The Field of Dreams Ghost Players game will begin at 6:05. On Monday, July 18th, the festivities begin at noon with the All-Star Luncheon at Hotel Mead featuring Hall of Famer Paul Molitor. The All-Stars will participate in a scouting combine during the afternoon. Gates will open at Witter Field at 6:00 for the 17th annual Northwoods League All-Star Game, which starts at 7:05.
The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America.
