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The following is a summary of the article How the Northwoods League Quietly Became the dominant collegiate Baseball League in the Upper Midwest by Adam Platt

For the main article of the Northwoods League I plan on changing the history of the league and how it got its initial start. I also plan on adding a section of how they make their money and are able to compete with other baseball leagues.

Published by the MinnPost

Dick Radatz Jr, son of a famous Boston Red Sox relief pitcher, eventually started the league, he found opportunity where other independent leagues and minor league baseball failed. Due to the cold and wet months of April and May, it was hard to find economic success in such a place. Major League Baseball (MLB) had moved majority of its Minor League affiliates in the north to the south and west for warmer and better baseball conditions, the small to medium sized cities had a lack of competitive baseball and entertainment. Radatz realized that in small and medium cities, were lacking in entertainment and baseball and set his sights where other leagues have failed. In order to help build revenue, teams don't own their own ballparks or hold the leases on them. All franchises start off as league owned and then get purchased from NWL inc.

In small cities and even medium cities, it could be hard to find the money in a newly founded baseball league. The Northwoods League (NWL) realized it needed to gain significant money from sponsors in order to succeed. Adding sponsors would boost revenue and spark some noise about the new teams in town. Radatz wanted majority of the revenue to come from sponsors. 2/3 of the revenue had to come from sponsors and 1/3 had to come from ticket sales, concessions, and team merchandise. It was super important to have 2/3 of the revenue before the first game was ever played in the season.