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Madison Mallards
View on WikipediaThe Madison Mallards are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Madison, Wisconsin that plays in the Northwoods League. Warner Park on Madison's Northside is the team's home field.
Key Information
History
[edit]The history of minor league baseball in Madison begins with the early success of the Madison Muskies. A Midwest League Oakland A's affiliate, the Muskies were competitive and gained a healthy following in the years following their 1982 origins. By 1993 the crowds had declined and the Muskies became less profitable.[2]
In 1994 the Muskies were replaced for a single season by the St Louis affiliate, Madison Hatters. 1996 began the five-year stint of the independent Madison Black Wolf, but once again low attendance and little interest plagued the team and they were forced to move to a more profitable community.[3]
In 2001, area businessman Steve Schmitt introduced the Madison Mallards to Warner Park. The Mallards joined the Northwoods League, which features amateur college players playing summer ball during their off-season.[4]
On October 17, 2019, the pro shop had significant damage done to it by a suspicious fire and the police investigated it as arson. There was an estimated $150,000 in damages.[5]
Success
[edit]The Mallards made it to the playoffs in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021, and 2024. They have made four Northwoods League Championship Series appearances, which resulted in runner-up finishes in 2005 and 2008. They won the Northwoods League championship in 2004 and 2013.[6]
Ownership
[edit]In 2014, the Mallards ownership group created Big Top Baseball. Big Top Baseball was a leader in summer collegiate baseball, operating four Northwoods League franchises in the state of Wisconsin at the time. Big Top Baseball owns and operates the Madison Mallards and Kenosha Kingfish and formerly owned the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters and Green Bay Bullfrogs, which were sold off during the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]
Stadium
[edit]The Mallards’ baseball diamond in Warner Park, built in 1982, currently seats 6,750 people.[8]
Dimensions
[edit]The playing surface of the field is artificial turf infield with grass outfield, and the dimensions from home plate are 308 1/3 feet to left field, 380 feet to center field, and 290 2/3 feet to right field. The 440-square-foot scoreboard, installed in 2013, is located in left-center field. 14 flat-screen televisions can be found throughout the stadium. There is a children's playground and picnic seating close to the foul lines in left field.
Attendance
[edit]The Mallards routinely lead the nation in attendance among collegiate summer baseball teams, averaging over 6,308 fans per game in 2017 and 6,249 in 2018. In 2024, the Mallards had over 200,000 in attendance throughout the season.[9][10][11]
Duck Blind
[edit]The club offers a promotion called the Duck Blind, a group of seats in right field that cost up to $41 and include unlimited food, soda, and beer.[12] In 2018, the Duck Blind underwent a $1 million renovation.[13]
Alternate monikers
[edit]The Madison Mallards have adopted numerous monikers over the years, including:
Madison Muskallards
[edit]The "Muskallards" nickname is inspired by the myth of Bozho, who, according to the Madison Mallards,[14] a Loch Ness-type monster located in Lake Mendota. The Muskallards logo is the same as the Mallards "M" logo, but instead of a Mallard tail, it now has the tail of a Muskie (hence the name "Muskallards", which is a combo of Muskies and Mallards). The colors of this rebrand consist of dark green, orange, and creme white.
Madison Old Fashioneds
[edit]The "Old Fashioneds" name is based on the Mallards attempt to build the World's Largest Brandy Old Fashioned Cocktail, which is part of their Wisconsin Day Celebration. The team decided to honor this by rebranding as the Old Fashioneds for Wisconsin Day. The logo consists of a cherry swinging a wooden bat. The colors are red and brown.[15]
Madison Motivational Speakers
[edit]The "Motivational Speakers" nickname pays homage to Chris Farley, a Madison native who starred in the SNL "Van down by the river" skit. The logo consists of Chris Farley's character (Matt Foley) in a semi bent down pose with his right hand pointing to the right. He is also wearing his classic look in that logo. The Jersey consists of the classic look as well (white and blue plad overshirt, white polo undershirt and a green tie).[16]
Mallards in MLB
[edit]The following is a list of former Mallards to appear in Major League Baseball.[17]
| Name | Season(s) in Madison | MLB accolades |
|---|---|---|
| Pete Alonso | 2014 | 5x All-Star, Rookie of the Year, Silver Slugger |
| Drake Baldwin | 2021 | Rookie of the Year |
| Danny Burawa | 2009 | |
| Jake Esch | 2009-10 | |
| Derek Fisher | 2012 | World Series Champion |
| Mike Gerber | 2012 | |
| Frank German | 2016 | |
| Tony Gonsolin | 2015 | All-Star, World Series Champion |
| Phil Gosselin | 2008 | |
| J.R. Graham | 2009-10 | |
| Taylor Gushue | 2012 | |
| Maverick Handley | 2017 | |
| John Hicks | 2009 | |
| Nico Hoerner | 2016 | 2x Gold Glove Award |
| Joe McCarthy | 2013 | |
| Alec Mills | 2012 | No-hitter |
| Matt Pagnozzi | 2002 | |
| Bobby Poyner | 2012 | |
| Carson Ragsdale | 2018 | |
| Sterling Sharp | 2014-15 | |
| Ryan Spilborghs | 2001 | |
| Brock Stewart | 2013 | |
| Matt Thaiss | 2014 | |
| Justin Topa | 2012 | |
| Jose Trevino | 2012 | All-Star, Gold Glove Award |
| Matt Vierling | 2016 |
Gallery
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ "Northwoods League Official Colors (1994 through present)". TruColor.net. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
- ^ "Madison Mallards filling city's void for baseball". Bucky's 5th Quarter. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
- ^ "Madison Black Wolf". Retrieved 2009-06-17.
- ^ Maniaci, John. "Steve Schmitt, Madison Mallards". madison.com. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
- ^ "Update: Fire that destroyed pro shop at Madison Mallards Duck Pond was arson, authorities say".
- ^ Polzin, Jim. "Northwoods League championship: Mallards rout Huskies to claim a first title since 2004". madison.com. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
- ^ Mesch, Shelley; Wroge, Logan. "Additional seating, other upgrades at Breese Stevens Field would happen sooner under proposal". madison.com. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
- ^ Milewski, Todd D. "Mallards: As team's standards rise, Duck Blind grows up with $1 million transformation". madison.com. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
- ^ "2017 Summer Collegiate Attendance by Average". Ballpark Digest. 2017-08-14. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
- ^ Reichard, Kevin (2018-08-13). "2018 Summer Collegiate Attendance by Average". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
- ^ Reichard, Kevin (2024-10-28). "2024 summer collegiate attendance by total - Ballpark Digest". Retrieved 2024-10-28.
- ^ "If Matt Chapman Hits a Home Run in an Empty Stadium, Does It Make a Sound?". The Ringer. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
- ^ Popke, Michael (2017-03-30). "Duck Blind 2.0". Isthmus | Madison, Wisconsin. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
- ^ "The Madison Mallards have become the Madison Muskallards". 2024-04-29.
- ^ "Madison Mallards to rebrand as The Old Fashioneds for one game". 2023-04-26.
- ^ "Mallards to honor Chris Farley, rebrand as Motivational Speakers for July 6 game". 2024-04-22.
- ^ "Northwoods League Alumni in Major League Baseball" (PDF). Northwoods League. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Madison Mallards – official website
- Northwoods League – official website
- Stadium Journey – Ballpark Review
- [1]
Madison Mallards
View on GrokipediaHistory
Founding and early years
The Madison Mallards were founded in 2001 by local businessman Steve Schmitt as an expansion team in the Northwoods League, a wooden-bat collegiate summer baseball circuit established in 1994 to develop elite college players. Schmitt introduced the franchise to Warner Park, a municipal facility built in 1982 that had previously hosted professional teams such as the Madison Muskies of the Midwest League from 1982 to 1993. The Mallards' inaugural game occurred on June 2, 2001, marking Madison—the largest city in the league at the time—as a key addition to the Northwoods' Great Lakes region.[3][9][10] The team's debut season highlighted emerging talent, including outfielder Ryan Spilborghs—who later reached Major League Baseball with the Colorado Rockies—and pitcher Rene Recio, who shared fan-voted inaugural MVP honors after strong individual performances. While specific win-loss records from 2001 are not prominently archived, the Mallards contributed to the league's growing attendance, which exceeded 273,000 fans that year amid expansion. Early operations emphasized affordable, family-oriented entertainment at Warner Park, with Schmitt investing in initial improvements alongside the City of Madison to enhance the venue's viability for summer collegiate play.[11][9] Success built steadily in the mid-2000s, culminating in the franchise's first Northwoods League championship in 2004 under manager Darrell Handelsman, who earned Manager of the Year honors. That season, the Mallards posted a team ERA of 2.54—the second-best in league history at the time—and defeated playoff opponents to claim the title, while drawing a then-franchise-record 154,258 spectators. Standouts like pitcher Jake Hansen, who recorded a 1.23 ERA in 2003 (the second-lowest single-season mark in NWL annals), underscored the team's pitching depth during these formative years.[9]Expansion and renovations
In 2010, the Madison Mallards partnered with the City of Madison Parks Division on a $1.3 million renovation of Warner Park's baseball stadium, funded by $800,000 from the city and the balance from the team, with the Mallards covering any overages.[12][13] The project replaced the existing grandstand and bleachers with a new structure featuring repositioned seats closer to the field, an upper-level concourse for improved fan circulation, and stadium seating repurposed from Baltimore's Camden Yards; construction concluded in late May 2011, earning recognition as Ballpark Digest's 2011 Renovation of the Year.[14][12] These upgrades enhanced sightlines and capacity, supporting the team's operations since its 2001 inception at the 1982-built venue.[3] Subsequent enhancements included outfield additions such as the Duck Blind berm in right field and Backyard seating area behind left field, introduced to boost fan engagement and attendance.[15] In preparation for the 2024 season and the addition of the Madison Night Mares women's softball team, further improvements converted the field to artificial turf—marking the first such surface in Warner Park's 42-year history—and adjusted fences and bases for softball compatibility, alongside other infrastructure upgrades announced on May 22, 2024.[16][17] These changes, driven by the dual-team usage, aimed to modernize facilities while accommodating increased programming demands.[18]Recent developments
In 2024, the Madison Mallards set a franchise record with 50 regular-season wins, finishing second in the Northwoods League standings before advancing to the playoffs.[19] The team also expanded its operations by launching the Madison Night Mares, a women's summer-collegiate softball team in the inaugural Northwoods League Softball division, sharing Warner Park facilities. The 2025 season marked the Mallards' 25th anniversary at Warner Park, with special celebrations announced alongside the release of the schedule on January 6.[20] The team hosted the Northwoods League All-Star Game on July 14 in partnership with the Night Mares, drawing attention to Madison's growing role in the league.[21] On the field, the Mallards compiled a 44-25 record, concluding the campaign with an 11-8 victory over the Green Bay Rockers on August 9.[22] Looking ahead, the organization introduced the "Grand Slam Mini Plan" on September 23 for the 2026 season, offering ticket packages to both Mallards and Night Mares games to capitalize on dual-team attendance.[23] This initiative follows sustained fan support, including Division I baseball's return to Madison after a 33-year absence, enhancing local baseball infrastructure.[23]Organization
Ownership
The Madison Mallards are principally owned by Steve Schmitt, a Wisconsin-based entrepreneur known for owning The Shoe Box, a large independent shoe retailer in Black Earth. Schmitt has held ownership since the team's founding as a Northwoods League franchise in 2001, during which time he transformed Warner Park's facilities from a modest setup into a high-attendance venue drawing over 150,000 fans in peak seasons.[24][25][26] Operations fall under Big Top Baseball, an entity led by Schmitt that manages the Mallards alongside other Northwoods League teams such as the Kenosha Kingfish; the group previously oversaw the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters and Green Bay Bullfrogs before those franchises folded or relocated. Vern Stenman serves as team president and holds a partial ownership stake through affiliated ventures like Big Top Events, which also co-manages Forward Madison FC soccer club, reflecting Schmitt's broader involvement in Madison-area sports properties.[27][28][29] Schmitt's business acumen, derived from retail success, has emphasized fan engagement and promotions, contributing to the Mallards' status as one of the league's top-drawing teams, with consistent attendance exceeding 6,000 per game. No major ownership changes have occurred since inception, underscoring stable local control focused on community-oriented baseball rather than expansion or sale.[30][31]Management and personnel
The Madison Mallards are owned by Steve Schmitt, a Madison-area businessman who also owns other local sports teams and retail operations, and has led the franchise since its founding in 2001.[24][32] Vern Stenman serves as president, managing overall club operations alongside Schmitt.[24] Samantha Rubin holds the position of general manager, overseeing day-to-day administrative and player personnel matters.[24] Donnie Scott has been the field manager since 2013, compiling over 500 wins in 13 seasons and establishing himself as the winningest coach in team history.[33][34] A former Major League Baseball catcher drafted by the Texas Rangers in the second round of the 1979 amateur draft, Scott played from 1983 to 1991 with the Rangers, Seattle Mariners, and Cincinnati Reds, appearing in 175 games with a .206 batting average.[33] Prior to joining the Mallards, he managed in minor league systems, including four Pioneer League championships with the Billings Mustangs and a career minor league record of 689-569 (.548 winning percentage).[33] Under Scott, the Mallards reached the Northwoods League playoffs in 2016, 2018, and 2019; he earned NWL Manager of the Year honors in 2018 and previously won a league championship in 2013.[33] The front office includes specialized roles in ticket sales, marketing, corporate partnerships, food and beverage, operations, finance, and retail, supporting the club's summer collegiate operations at Warner Park.[24] Key personnel in these areas include Monica Wagner as vice president of corporate ticket sales, Kyle Chisholm as marketing director, and Will Kenne as director of operations, contributing to attendance and event management.[24] Coaching assistants and support staff vary annually with player recruitment from NCAA programs, focusing on development in the wood-bat summer league format.[33]Venue
Warner Park facilities
The Warner Park Stadium, affectionately nicknamed the "Duck Pond," has served as the home venue for the Madison Mallards since the team's founding in 2001. Originally constructed in 1982 for the Midwest League's Madison Muskies, the facility subsequently hosted teams including the Madison Hatters and Madison Blackwolf before the Mallards' arrival.[3][35] Situated within the larger Warner Park recreational area on Madison's northeast side adjacent to Lake Mendota, the stadium integrates baseball operations with surrounding green spaces, though access during games prioritizes vehicular and pedestrian entry to the diamond.[15] The stadium features a fixed seating capacity of 6,750, with the main grandstand providing covered aluminum bench seating, a press box, and premium areas including VIP sections and table-top seating sourced from Baltimore's Camden Yards.[3][15] Field dimensions measure 308 feet to left field, 365 feet to left-center, 380 feet to center, 365 feet to right-center, and 296 feet to right field, supported by a natural grass surface maintained for collegiate summer play.[35] Additional facilities include protective netting extending from foul pole to foul pole, a left-field "Backyard" berm area for blanket seating (chairs prohibited), and group picnic zones with catering options.[15][36] Parking accommodates spectators in an adjacent lot with no admission fee, permitting tailgating provided glass containers are avoided for safety; overflow during peak attendance prompts use of nearby streets or alternative transport like biking via designated racks and BCycle stations.[37] The venue underwent renovations in 2011, enhancing structural elements while preserving its community park integration.[35] Largest recorded crowd reached 10,061 on June 12, 2004, exceeding permanent seating through standing and berm accommodations.[3]Renovations and unique features
In 2017, the Madison Mallards invested over $1 million in renovating the Great Dane Duck Blind, a premium seating and entertainment area that includes rebuilt suites, an expanded fun zone for fans, a revamped merchandise store, and a new right field entrance to improve access and flow.[38] This project enhanced spectator amenities while preserving core elements like the clubhouses and concessions behind home plate from prior upgrades.[3] Further improvements occurred ahead of the 2024 season, with the infield converted entirely to artificial turf equipped with an upgraded drainage system to enable faster recovery after rain and reduce maintenance downtime.[16][17] Additional modifications included shortening the outfield fence, repositioning the bases, and reshaping the pitching mound to better accommodate both baseball and shared softball use by the Madison Night Mares.[18] Warner Park's baseball facilities incorporate a duck-themed aesthetic tied to the Mallards' branding, featuring the prominent Duck Blind as a shaded, elevated vantage point with views over the field.[3] The venue includes a large protective roof over parts of the grandstand, a central food court for concessions, and live organ music during games to evoke traditional ballpark atmosphere.[39] A unique operational element is the team's bat dog, which retrieves discarded bats from the field, adding an engaging, non-human performer to the proceedings.[39] The exclusive Tricor/West Bend Club provides a premium party deck accommodating up to 100 guests with elevated sightlines.[40]Attendance records
The Madison Mallards have maintained the highest attendance figures among Northwoods League teams and summer collegiate baseball franchises for multiple seasons, reflecting strong local fan support at Warner Park. In 2024, the team drew 217,070 fans across 35 home games, averaging 6,202 per game, continuing their dominance in league totals. This marked the second-highest single-season total in franchise history, behind the 218,866 fans in 2019 over a similar schedule.[41][42]| Season | Total Attendance | Home Games | Average per Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 217,070 | 35 | 6,202 |
| 2019 | 218,866 | ~36 | ~6,080 |
| 2014 | 214,849 | 35 | 6,139 |
Performance and achievements
On-field records
The Madison Mallards, competing in the Northwoods League since 2001, have compiled an all-time regular-season record of 908 wins and 746 losses through the end of the 2025 season, yielding a .549 winning percentage across 24 seasons (excluding the canceled 2020 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic).[2][43][44][45] The team has qualified for the playoffs in 12 of those seasons, demonstrating consistent contention within the league's divisional structure, which features 70-game regular seasons split into two 35-game halves with postseason berths awarded to half-season division winners and wild cards.[2]| Year | Wins-Losses | Winning Pct. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 29-35 | .453 | - |
| 2002 | 24-40 | .375 | - |
| 2003 | 38-26 | .594 | First-round exit |
| 2004 | 42-22 | .656 | League champions |
| 2005 | 43-25 | .632 | League runners-up |
| 2006 | 36-32 | .529 | First-round exit |
| 2007 | 38-29 | .567 | - |
| 2008 | 34-34 | .500 | League runners-up |
| 2009 | 38-29 | .567 | - |
| 2010 | 41-29 | .586 | - |
| 2011 | 37-32 | .536 | - |
| 2012 | 39-31 | .557 | - |
| 2013 | 41-29 | .586 | League champions |
| 2014 | 39-33 | .542 | - |
| 2015 | 43-28 | .606 | First-round exit |
| 2016 | 43-29 | .597 | First-round exit |
| 2017 | 38-34 | .528 | - |
| 2018 | 49-23 | .681 | First-round exit; franchise record at the time |
| 2019 | 42-30 | .583 | Semifinals |
| 2021 | 39-32 | .549 | Semifinals |
| 2022 | 26-46 | .361 | Worst season in franchise history |
| 2023 | 39-32 | .549 | - |
| 2024 | 50-20 | .714 | Franchise-record wins; second-half division title |
| 2025 | 44-25 | .638 | - |
Championships and playoffs
The Madison Mallards have secured two Northwoods League championships, defeating the Duluth Huskies in 2004 and the La Crosse Loggers 2-0 in the 2013 finals.[2][9][4] In 2004, under manager Darrell Handelsman, the team posted a 42-22 regular-season record and set a franchise ERA mark of 2.54 en route to the title.[9][46] The 2013 squad, managed by Donnie Scott, finished 41-29 and advanced through the playoffs to claim the crown.[2] The Mallards have qualified for the postseason 12 times since joining the league in 2001, including runner-up finishes in 2005 (losing 2-1 to the Thunder Bay Border Cats) and 2008.[2][9] Their playoff structure typically involves division series followed by league championships, with berths earned via strong regular-season performances in divisions such as the Great Lakes or South.[9]| Year | Regular Season Record | Playoff Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 38-26 | First Round loss |
| 2004 | 42-22 | League Champions |
| 2005 | 43-25 | League Runner-up |
| 2006 | 36-32 | First Round loss |
| 2008 | 34-34 | League Runner-up |
| 2013 | 41-29 | League Champions |
| 2015 | 43-28 | First Round loss |
| 2016 | 43-29 | First Round loss |
| 2018 | 49-23 | First Round loss (South Division Championship loss to Fond du Lac Dock Spiders) |
| 2019 | 42-30 | Semifinals loss (Great Lakes Division Championship loss to Traverse City Pit Spitters) |
| 2021 | 39-32 | Semifinals loss |
| 2024 | 50-20 | Division Championship loss (Great Lakes series loss 3-2 to Kalamazoo Growlers after defeating Wausau Woodchucks in first round) |
