The boys of summer will soon be back on the baseball diamond, but fans will notice a few changes from last year in the Dairyland League and Badger Amateur Baseball Association.
Ten Dairyland teams are scheduled to open league play May 3 with five games set for 1:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, the BABA will open division play May 10 with games scheduled in four divisions.
Dairyland
No major changes are in store for the Dairyland this season, which includes the same 10 teams as last year: Shawano Lobos, Cecil Mudhens, Bonduel Broncos, Hofa Park Panthers, Pulaski Reds, Navarino Rangers, Nichols Nitros, Marinette Redbirds, Waupaca Lakemen and Hortonville Stars.
The May 3 schedule of games includes Bonduel at Nichols, Cecil at Marinette, Pulaski at Hortonville, Shawano at Navarino and Waupaca at Hofa Park.
Waupaca is the defending league champion.
BABA
More than 20 teams are scheduled to compete in the BABA’s East, West, North and South-Central divisions this season.
Neopit will not field a team this season after the Chiefs competed for several seasons in the East Division with the Shawano Lakers, Gresham Gophers, Menominee Indians, Clintonville A’s and Marion Meisters.
The Wittenberg Pilots have moved from the North Division to the West Division, while the Crandon Kentucks will move from the West to the North.
Besides the Pilots, the West Division also includes the Caroline Cougars, Tigerton Tigers, Leopolis Bulldogs, Tilleda Woodchucks and Little Falls Loggers.
Besides the Kentucks, the North Division also includes the Aniwa Orioles, Birnamwood Kings, Eland Engineers, Elderon WhiskeyJacks, Hatley Braves and Antigo/Polar Bears.
The South-Central Division remains unchanged from last year and includes the Plover Pterodactyls, Scandinavia Vikings, New London Irish and Weymont White Bass.
The BABA has yet to officially announce its 2026 schedule, but a handful of teams have announced their schedule.
Division openers scheduled for May 10 include Leopolis at Little Falls and Wittenberg at Caroline (West Division); Shawano at Gresham (East Division); and Birnamwood at Hatley, Elderon at Aniwa and Eland vs. Antigo/Polar at Antigo (North Division).
Little Falls is the defending champion.
Carter Kurki pitches for the Little Falls Loggers during last year’s BABA Grand Championship game. The Loggers handed the Clintonville A’s a 10-3 loss and are slated to open their West Division schedule May 10 at home against Leopolis. (Greg Seubert)
