NEXT REGULAR LEAGUE MEETING:

Next Scheduled Meeting – Spring Meeting

Dates: April 12, 2026 @ Junction Bowl - Isanti 4pm 

 

League Update: The Elk River Lumberjacks have officially moved to the Metro Minny League effective the 2026 Season.  The Eastern Minnesota League would like to thank the Lumberjacks for their membership over the past two seasons.  We wish you success as you transition to the Metro Minny League.

 

Upcoming Events:

The Mora Blue Devils are planning their annual Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention Townball Day.  An article was posted on the MBA website highlighting the importance of this event and inviting other teams to join.

Sartell Stone Poneys and Mora Blue Devils invite teams to participate in Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention Townball Day

 

 

 

Town Ball Tour Returns to the Eastern Minnesota League!

 

 

Hinckley Knights host the Quamba Cubs July 1st

 

FOX9 Link to the 2026 Town Ball Tour Announcement

 

Eastern Minnesota League Digital Museum

The Eastern Minnesota League is looking to grow our Digital Museum. If you have any photos, historical documents, stories that could enhance our content please contact our webmaster at easternminnywebmaster@yahoo.com. Even if you do not have a full team history, we are accepting pictures for a collage that would represent our league's history.

 

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The Eastern Minnesota League has order options through locally owned Pennant Bat Company. Pennant offers handmade maple bats shaped in Minneosta. Pennant only uses the highest grade of hard maple to bring you the best feel and balance when swinging for the gaps. Custom designs and team orders are available.

See the Eastern Minnesota League exclusive order form for details.

 

 

 

NSPN will be broadcasting multiple Eastern Minnesota League games throughout the season. The tentative schedule has been released below.  Annual or monthly subscriptions are available for purchase at https://nspn.tv/Townball/Subscription.

 

2026 NSPN Broadcast Schedule:

5/16- Ham Lake @ Princeton**

5/20- Ham Lake vs. Chisago**

5/25- Chisago vs. Elk River

5/30- Hinckley @ Mora**

6/3- Chisago @ Cambridge

6/5- Chisago @ Quamba

6/6- North Branch @ Braham**

6/7- Ogilvie @ Chisago

6/8- Braham @ Chisago

6/10- Nowthen @ Chisago

6/10- St. Francis @ Hinckley**

6/12- Moose Lake @ Quamba**

6/14- Moose Lake @ Chisago

6/17- East Bethel @ Isanti**

6/22- Ham Lake @ East Bethel**

6/24- Chisago @ Isanti

6/26- Mora @ Quamba**

6/28- Ogilvie @ Cambridge**

6/29- Chisago @ St. Francis

7/1- Braham @ Cambridge**

7/6- Isanti @ Princeton**

7/8- Chisago @ Hinckley

7/10- North Branch @ Chisago

7/15- Princeton @ Chisago

7/18- Nowthen @ Ogilvie**

7/20- Chisago @ East Bethel

7/22- Mora @ Chisago

7/26- Chisago @ Sartel

 

** Eastern Minny Game of the Week

Local Umpire Coordinator Joe Rydel Featured in StribVarsity Article:

 

Side hustles on the sidelines: How high school sports power a thriving gig economy

 

2024 Team Hall of Fame Inductions & Awards

This space recognizes significant awards and accomplishments throughout the league.  This includes significant team awards, Hall of Fame inductions, etc.  This information will be showcased on the league webpage each year and then will be archived on our page as we continue to expand capturing league history within the league website.

 

Below are the awards highlighted for the 2025 Season:

 

East Bethel Bandits:

 

Team Hall of Fame Inductee - Josh Kosel:

 

Josh Kosel joined the East Bethel Bandits in 2010 after playing many years for the Soderville Outlaws. Recognizing both his talent and character, the Bandits quickly recruited Josh after Soderville disbanded, drawn not only by his strong on-field performance but also by his intangible qualities—outstanding sportsmanship, leadership, and being an exceptional teammate. Josh played nine seasons with the Bandits, from 2010 to 2022. Josh ranked among the franchise’s all-time leaders in several statistical categories.  This includes when Josh set the team record for hits in a game (6) during the 2019 Eastern Minnesota League Regional Tournament.

 

The Bandits were honored to welcome Josh Kosel as the newest member of the East Bethel Bandits Hall of Fame this summer!

 

Amateur Baseball of Fame Inductee - Dallas Jelmberg:

Dallas was inducted into the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame during the September 20, 2025 ceremony at the River's Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud.  Dallas was one of the five new inductees for the 2025 season.  He was honored for his many years of outstanding service to baseball and the community.  Photoed with Dallas is Jayson Pautske and his wife Michelle who attended the event.  There is a display honoring all of this year's nominees at the convention center.  Dallas Hall of Fame Bio is available on the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame Website at https://www.mnbaseballhof.com/dallas-jelmberg-2025.html

 

Congratulations Dallas and thank you for all you have done to support baseball and our community!

 

Mike Downes Award:

Dallas was also the recipient of the Mike Downes Award in 2025.  This award is issued by the Minnesota Baseball Association annually and is given to an individual based on their outstanding dedication to baseball in the state of Minnesota.  Congratulations Dallas and thank you for all of your contributions to baseball and our community!

 

MBA member Nick Gerhardt recently posted an article titled "Service-centered Jelmberg receives Mike Downes Award" on the MBA website.  Here is the Link to the article.

 

 

 

Hinckley Knights:

 

Team Hall of Fame Inductees - Gail Brennan, Bette Jarvis & Rod Sycks

The Hinckley Knights welcomed 3 new inductees to the Knights Hall of Fame on June 14, 2025 prior to their game with the Cambridge Bandits.  Gail Brennan, Bette Jarvis, and Rod Sycks were inducted in front of a huge crowd of family and friends.  They were recognized for their contributions to the Hinckley Knights organization.  It was another very special night at Brennan Field.

 

Jersey Retirement of Shawn Ausmus #16

On May 31, 2025 the Hinckley Knights retired #16 in recognition of Shawn Ausmus for all of his contributions on and off the field over the past 3 decates. It was a special night for the Knights as Shawn was honored in front of many friends, family members, communitity members and sponsors.  Shawn is the 2nd player in Knights history to have a jersey retired.

Congratulations Shawn!

 

Isanti Redbirds:

Phil Bray - 2025 Class B All Tournament Team

Phil Bray, of the Isanti Redbirds, was drafted by the Cold Spring Springers from Region 1B to play in the Class B 2025 State Tournament.  Phil pitched many quality innings for the Springers throughout the tournament and was selected as a member of the 2025 Class B All Tournament Team. Congratulations Phil!

https://minnesotabaseballassociation.org/class-b-all-tournament-team-and-award-winners/

 

 

 

Eastern Minnesota League Digital Museum

Teams who participated in the Eastern Minnesota League's history will be spotlighted and recognized throughout the league off-season.  We will take a look back at team history in the Eastern Minnesota league as well as the MBA.  Pictures, Articles & Documents will be used to capture the great history of amateur baseball in our region.

 

Featured Team: The Princeton Panthers

*Special thank you to Brian Dorr for sharing this content with the Eastern Minnesota League.  This site features a detailed history of Princeton's involvement in the Minnesota Baseball Association as well as many moments throughout their history in the Eastern Minnesota League.  Included are articles, box scores, photographs, stories and more!

Photograph from the Princeton Union Eagle paper capturing Princeton's 2nd place State Tournament finish in 2000

 

We hope to add more history throughout the off-season.  If anyone has any information, documents, articles, pictures to share regarding teams who have participated in the Eastern Minnesota League please contact easternminnywebmaster@yahoo.com

 

Previously Featured: The Pioneers of Nowthen, St. Francis & Elk River

Content Available via this Link: The Pioneers of Nowthen, St. Francis & Elk River

 

MBA 2026 Proposed Classification

The process is outlined in full on the MBA site.  The Eastern Minnesota League is projected to have representation in each class during the 2026 season.  Outlined below are the projected classifications for the upcoming season:

 

Class A - Section 8 (2 Tournament Bids)

Hinckley Knights

 

Class B - District 1 (3 Tournament Bids and combined with Sauk Valley Class B)

Chisago Lakes Bulldogs

Princeton Panthers

Isanti Redbirds

Moose Lake Buzz

North Branch Nighthawks

 

Class C - Region 1 (2 Tournament Bids and combined with Sauk Valley Class C)

Braham Snappers

Cambridge Bandits

East Bethel Bandits

Ham Lake Hornets

Mora Blue Devils

Nowthen Knights

Ogilvie Orioles

Quamba Cubs

St. Francis Silverbacks

 

*Classification is subject to change depending on in season roster maintenance.

 

 

 

Pennant Bat Company Founder Visits St. Francis High School, Showcases Custom Bats

On Thursday, July 17th, the East Bethel Bandits welcomed a special guest just ahead of the matchup between the East Bethel Bandits and the Becker Bandits. Joe Barrett, local founder of Pennant Bat Company, stopped by to share his passion for craftsmanship and baseball, bringing with him a wide selection of custom bats for players from both teams to try out in the batting cages before the game.

 

 

 

Pennant Bat Company is known for its high-quality custom bats crafted from the highest grade of hard maple. The result is a lineup of bats that deliver excellent feel, balance, and performance. Joe's inventory features a range of options, including standard models, half-inch interval sizes, torpedo-style barrels, and multiple knob styles. With attention to detail and a strong focus on customization, Pennant Bat Company has become a go-to for players looking for a bat tailored to their unique swing.

 

Joe's journey into bat making is a story rooted in both passion and resilience. A former baseball player himself, Joe saw his playing days come to an end after a labrum injury sidelined his pitching career. However, his love for the game lived on. When his son began playing organized baseball, Joe decided to handcraft a fungo bat and a game bat for his son. The results quickly caught the attention of other players and coaches, leading to a flood of requests for his custom made bats.

 

With a background in graphic design, Joe combines artistic creativity with precision craftsmanship in each of his bat designs. His attention to aesthetics and function has helped the brand stand out.  Both East Bethel and Becker players really enjoyed how the bats performed in the cages!

 

Players and fans interested in exploring Pennant Bat Company's custom bat options can place orders and learn more at https://pennantbat.com.

 

 

The Eastern Minnesota League, is part of the Minnesota Baseball Association, the governing body of amateur baseball in Minnesota. It is the oldes active amateur baseball league in the state of Minnesota. The league has sixteen teams, which play in two divisions. Each summer, after the regular season, the league playoffs determine which teams will advance to the Region 1C tournament and have a chance to go to the state Class C tournament.

 

Follow the league on Twitter for news, scores and more: @EasternMinny

 

Hinckley Knights
@HinckleyKnights


Quamba Cubs
@QuambaCubs


Mora Blue Devils
@MoraBlueDevils
 

Braham Snappers
@BrahamSnappers

 

Cambridge Bandits
@RumRiverBandits

  Princeton Panthers
  @PrincetonPanth1

 

 

Chisago Lakes Bulldogs
@ChisagoBulldogs

East Bethel Bandits

@BaseballBandits

St. Francis Silverbacks
@SFSilverbacks

Nowthen Knights
@NowthenKnights

 

  Moose Lake Buzz 

 

 

 

 Ham Lake Hornets

 @HamLakeHornets

 

 Ogilvie Orioles

 

 

 

 

 

    

                

 

 

     

 @MinnBaseball  

 

 

More Baseball Links
Metro Minny League
Minnesota Baseball Association
Major League Baseball
Minnesota Twins
St. Paul Saints
Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame
NSPN - Neighborhood Sports Network

Pennant Bat Company

 

 

Minnesota Weather Radar

Current Weather Conditions / Hourly Forecast

Hinckley | Quamba | Mora | Braham | Moose Lake | Ogilvie
Cambridge | Isanti | North Branch | Chisago Lakes | Princeton

Ham Lake | East Bethel/St. Francis | Nowthen | Elk River

 

 

 

If you have any questions or comments, contact the webmaster
 

This is the official website of the Eastern Minnesota League since 2005

 

Click the link above for League Contacts & Scheduling Information