Once that first orange colored leaf hits the ground and the cold wind whips through the dugouts; guys are already dreaming of their Fall and Winter trips to Arizona or Florida. The participation of Minnesota teams - especially in the Federal League - is always fun to keep track of and see how we stack up against the rest of the country in the grand ole game. In 2023 the Minnoka Grays won the 35+ MSBL World Series in Arizona, the Minnesota Web Gems won the Veterans AAAA 35+ Roy Hobbs World Series in Florida. In 2021 the Mammoth won the 35+ MSBL World Series and for years in Florida Minnesota teams like the HPK Oilers were always in the running to win the big one. Let's take a look at how we did in 2024?

Let's start off with the Roy Hobbs World Series in Florida. Taking place in Fort Myers the Hobbs has become a favorite destination for Minnesota ballplayers. The Minnesota Web Gems - town ball players from mid and northern reaches of the state of 10,000 ballplayers finished first in 2023 and were looking to repeat. Joining in the hunt were the Lakeville Lobos and the Minnesota Blenders.

During pool play, the Web Gems posted a strong 3-1 record, while the Blenders finished 2-2 and the Lobos went 2-3. The Blenders faced a tough start in the playoffs, losing their opening game to the Stars of Herrera, who advanced to the title game. However, the Blenders bounced back with impressive wins against the Chicago Giants and New Jersey Mets before falling to the Stars of Herrera again, ending their run.

Meanwhile, the Web Gems were ready and waiting for the Stars after impressive wins over Baltimore Chop, New Jersey Mets and The Oilers. In the title game, they defeated the Stars of Herrera 6-5, clinching their second consecutive 35+ Roy Hobbs title. The Lakeville Lobos, after a challenging pool play, entered the Class AA playoffs but fell short, losing their opening match 9-7 to the Austin Saltdogs. Overall, Minnesota showcased its 35 talent and resilience, with the Web Gems once again proving to be a dominant force in the tournament.

In the 45's the Minnesota Diamonds faced one of the toughest schedules for the second consecutive season, finishing with a 3-3 record in the AAAA tournament, which placed them 7th out of 50 teams in Ft. Myers. Despite the challenging competition, the team showcased resilience and skill, proving they can compete against the best.

The roster featured a strong mix of familiar faces from the Federal League, including Waconia's Boomer Graupman (manager) and Steve Mileke, Rockford's Todd Haag, TJ Aalid, Buzz Hannahan, and Jesse Berg, Red West's Matt Vanoverbeke and Isaac Wales, Burnsville's Josh Loewen and Chris Freeman, Rosemount's Greg Sell, Apple Valley's Chris Reese, the Bombers' Chad Stewart, and Tonka's John Frein. This combination of talent certainly contributed to the Diamonds' competitive edge.

Now let's make our trip out west to the deserts of Arizona where the Federal League had its share of success in the MSBL World Series in the Phoenix/Tempe area. The Minnesota Bruins, made up mostly of Capital City Cannons and Minnetonka Saints went 4-2 in the MSBL World Series during pool play. The Bruins ended up losing to the Indy Heat in the first round of playoffs that ended up knocking the Mammoth out as well in the Quarterfinals. In March the Bruins 35+ team will participate in the Sunshine Classic in Fort Myers. This tournament has been more friendly for the bears as they have played in the "Premier Game" the last three years and won the game once.

The Minnesota Mammoth, made up of mostly East Metro Mammoth, Chaska Voyageurs and now Tonka Bay Lakers, had a strong pool play once again going 5-1, they were once again favorites heading into the playoffs but ran up against an Indy Heat team that gave them their only loss in pool play and then took them out in the Quarterfinals. Nothing to hang your heads about though as the Mammoth are always one of the perennial winners down in the desert, winning the whole thing in 2021, finishing runner up in 2022 and making the final four in 2023. They know what they are doing in the valley of the sun.

The newest warriors of the dune are the Minnoka Grays who won the 35+ World Series in 2023 and were back to repeat. Adding some extra help from the Rosemount Pipers (Cliff Christopherson, Logan Pinckney and Alex Mack) and town ball vets Jeff Brooks and Ben Sickler. The Grays started out hot with big wins over Los Angeles, Arizona and Houston - who they faced in the Championship the year before and won - then Jeff Brooks homering in the stadium game at Tempe Diablo vs Chicago Cyclones which was the midweek cherry on top. Grays finished pool play a perfect 6-0. They put up 18 runs on a historically tough Utah Blues team, then followed with a gutsy win over the Indy Heat, placing a rematch with the Houston Gamblers in the 35+ Championship Game.

Minnoka broke out the bats in the beginning and went up 7-3 going into the fifth inning and then ran out of gas, with the Gamblers tying the game going into the seventh 8-8. The guys from Beytown put up eight runs in the eighth and ninth inning and dodged a late four run comeback in the bottom of the ninth to defeat the Grays 15-12. While both teams dug deep and left everything on the field, Houston had an extra ace up its sleeve. The Grays walked away proud and exhausted with a 35+ Runner Up finish for 2024.

Last but certainly not least are the guys who head to Fort Myers in January to participate in the Twins Fantasy Camp - which was formerly run by our league commish Dan Tupper. Fantasy Camp has had a long history and strong alumni with Federal Leaguers that includes Lance Anderson, Jon Widerski, Lars Larson, Paul Bennett and more. This year's crop included; Rosemount: Greg Sell, Scott Manwarren, Apple Valley: Josh Stoll, Lakeville: Lance Anderson, St Michael: Michael Conrad, Metro Loons: Ryan Hess, Josh Popp, Dave Prybilla.

Lance Anderson's team Redemption Tour (coached by former Major Leaguers Juan Rincon, Devin Smeltzer, Brian Dinkelman) defeated Game 7 in the Championship Game which was coached by former Twins Frank Viola and Jeff Reardon. Game 7 featured Josh Stoll and former Fed good guy Paul Bennett.

Red West once again made its trip to upper New York for the Legends of Baseball World Series in Cooperstown, NY. The week includes pool play, playoffs and a homerun derby. Red West won the whole thing a few years back but had trouble getting back falling short in the playoffs. The Tournament is more relaxed than the previous mentioned and focuses more on playing the grand game on the same field as greats such as Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle and Roger Marris. Because that's why we all play right? To get together with your friends, compete and be a part of the great history of baseball weather in Cooperstown, Fort Myers or Tempe.

Josh Stoll, Todd Haag and Chris Kalina contributed to the article.