Baseball is one of the sports that with practice and a little luck you can determine your own outcome, worst to first and heroic comebacks can happen; 1987 Minnesota Twins, 2004 Boston Red Sox. This summer in the Federal League we are seeing such rises and improvements in teams like the Metro Loons, South Metro Saints, Saint Paul JT’s and the Minnetonka Saints. Ok, Jason Bujold may not be Curt Shilling and the bloody sock, maybe we are getting a little grandiose here, but let’s highlight some teams who are off to a great start this season. We sat down with a few managers and shined a spotlight on what is going right this season for these clubs.
 

Saint Paul JT’s: 6-1

After falling in the Class A Championship Game to the St Michael Angels and the last gasp of Dan Pluff, the gold and maroon had plans to improve in 2026.

First they hit the Free Agent market and picked up James Gerbino and former Prior Lake hurler Mike Borgertpoepping. But manager Mike Wickman brings ups one of the most important things that often goes under looked in successful teams; the team actually likes each other. 

“We’ve had a lot of positivity even before the hot start to the season and our strong finish last season. We have a lot of good people that enjoy playing and hanging out together.”

Saint Paul also capitalized on early matchups, earlier games, more times outdoors and with the team hitting well above the typical 0.936 OPS. Wade Johnson is off to a 3-0 start on the mound while Nick Love and Lucas Koerner each batting .500 and Jeremy Brooks batting .478 and leading the team in hits with 11.

The early highlight of the season was a battle verses South Metro which built up the team's confidence, jumping out to an early lead and fighting off Saints rallies with Koerner closing the competitve road game. “Have fun, work hard and support your teammates. The rest will come.” says Wickman. I think no truer words have ever been spoken.


South Metro Saints: 5-2

The Saints were off to a terrible start last season and it didn’t end any better with a quick playoff exit. This season - not so much. How good are the Saints this season? An opponent faked a rainstorm so they wouldn’t have to play. (Just kidding Rosemount) South Metro also added some players that enhanced their depth like Jared Schmidt, Sean Ross and Nick Wong. Again the little things have helped the Saints, such as very well attended offseason workouts during the winter and actually showing up to games during the season.

“Having four primary pitchers has been a key, tried to put more thought into scheduling to help our pitchers. Also hoping to avoid injuries and rainouts.” said manger Wade Peterson, and he’s correct with Josh Conley currently leading the way with a 0.75 ERA with twelve innings of work. Grant Schara leads with two wins. But don’t discount attendance…

…like Ross Ricci playing full time with the Saints this summer and it’s paying off with across the board numbers like 9 runs, 10 RBIs, 9 stolen bases with a .440 batting average in seven games. Erik Hill and Cody Candler have also added offense of their own. The Saints have historically played top teams tough (Mammoth, Grays) but now they are bringing that every game this season and it’s fun to watch - especially on social media. Just don’t fake a rainstorm.
 

Metro Loons: 6-1

The Loons have always been a solid ball club and a solid .500 team, always near the top in offensive and pitching categories stat wise - but the game is played on a baseball field and not in a spread sheet. The Loons made some off season adjustments, with former manager Matt Brekke retiring and a new management team taking over.

They started by grabbing a handful of talented Grasshoppers from the TCMABL. They also picked up former pitcher and Philadelphia Phillies farmhand Chris Nichols who has been dominant so far this summer. The new guys have really brought it so far this summer and have been gelling quickly as a revamped roster. Loons pitching, fielding and hitting have all taken a step forward.

“The new additions to the team have really brought energy and enthusiasm to our game day vibes and we're having a lot of fun playing this year.” 

The Loons could always hit with boppers like Jason Bujold and Michael Lerchen leading the team in hits, while newcomers like Ross Kramer and Nichols adding to the 1-9 depth. Pitching has been leading the way with an improved Bujold having an MVP year so far and Nichols adding another live arm the Loons needed - both have combined for 34 strikeouts in 33 innings.

But the biggest hurdle was overcoming attitude, errors and bad luck.

“We've always been a team that enjoyed being around each other and were excited to show up to the ballpark every day. The new additions have helped us change our mindset in some key ways though. We've been able to shift our mindset and compound our success rather than our mistakes.”


Minnetonka Saints: 7-0

Ok. This team is was not down on it’s luck last season and some even consider this team as the one to beat in the league this season, but you can’t ignore a 7-0 start, especially after half the league thought it’s former manager was dead.

Jack Watson is off to an MVP type season as is Joe Collier. Newcomer Scott Davis is fitting in well in the lineup with eight RBIs. Tommy Hanson gives Minnetonka a sure fire arm next to Brandon Casa de Calvo, developing one of the best one-two combos in the league. But even with all this talent, depth and mystic abilities to escape the grim reaper the Saints are focusing in on the small off the field things and contribute that to it’s hot start and hopefully beyond.

“We are very pleased with how the season has begun, largely because we entered it healthy, confident, and strongly connected as a team. Our players took care of their bodies during the offseason, staying active through other sports and personal training, which helped us start baseball activities earlier than in past years. This extra time allowed us to build rhythm, improve our skills, and arrive ready to perform. There is a genuine closeness among the players that fuels their effort and enthusiasm—they love being around each other and are motivated to impress, not just for the scoreboard but for their teammates in the dugout. This energy has been a major factor in our successful start, as moments of intense focus and teamwork—like hard hits, clutch plays, and tight situations—bring us closer together. We entered the season with a deliberate approach, emphasizing preparation, organization, and trust, knowing that consistent effort and resilience are key to sustained success. We’ve learned that talent alone isn’t enough; handling pressure and staying composed in critical moments make all the difference. What’s most impressive is how many different players have stepped up to spark the team, creating a dynamic environment of belief and chemistry. While we’re excited about our progress, we recognize there’s still a long season ahead. Our goal remains to keep improving, stay healthy, and maintain the confidence and camaraderie that have made this start so rewarding.”



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HOF DAY SCHEDULE

2026 Federal League Hall of Fame Day Schedule

Saturday June 27th, 2026

Bill Nelson Field - Dundas, MN / Host Milltown Outlaws

11:00 AM - Capital City Cannons vs St Louis Park Snappers
Probably not the most competitive game you would want to see on Hall of Fame Day, but inductee Jeff Wilson gets to show off his new talented club to the league after almost losing his team two years ago.

1:00 PM - Hall of Fame Inductions:

        Isaac Wales - Waconia Islanders

        Dustin Gingerich - St Anthony Norsemen

        Jamie Steinberg - Lakeville Lobos/Bulldogs

        Scott Morris - St Michael Angels

        Jeff Wilson - St Louis Park Snappers

        Paul Jesh - Milltown Outlaws

3:00 PM - Federal League All Star Game

The best of the best? Maybe. Or the best of the best who had time off and gas money that day? Either way the All Star Game is always a fun watch. The North Divison (and whoever paired up with them that year) has won four out of the last five All Star Games. 

5:00 PM - East Metro Mammoth vs Metro Loons

Hopefully a little more competitive than the morning game, maybe the Loons will feature their new stud ace in Chris Nichols against one of the top offenses in the league in the Mammoth.

Look for a more in-depth look at Hall of Fame Day in the next issue of FED Baseball Weekly.
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WEBSITE SUCKS BALLS

Yes, I know. The Leaderboard is down, and according to TeamLinkt it won’t be back this season. The Canadian website company obviously doesn’t understand that the grand ole game of baseball is full of stat geeks and we need our Leaderboard. I will work with them the best I can - but I am already looking for alternative platforms next season.

So for now here are your current Leaderboards…

——

FEDERAL LEAGUE LEADERS
(June 13th)

BATTING AVERAGE
(min 18 PA)

.720 - Joey Olson - Minnoka
.688 - Jake Pleschourt - Northfield
.650 - Nate Otto - Hastings
.630 - Jack Watson - Minnetonka S
.611 - Derrick Pfeffer - Hastings


RUNS

16 - Jordy Horsch - Hastings
16 - Joey Olson - Minnoka
11 - Nate Vollbreckt - New Market
11 - Jack Watson - Minnetonka S
11 - Tim Noyes - St Croix Valley

RBI

13 - Tyler Bergstrom - New Market
13 - Joe Collier - Minnetonka S
13 - Brett Larsen - St Louis Park
12 - Mark Von Ruden - Minnoka
12 - Joey Olson - Minnoka

DOUBLES

5 - Jeremy Loretz - Rockford
5 - Trevor Stolhanske - St Louis Park
4 - Chris Nichols - Metro
4 - Tyler Bergstrom - New Market
4 - Joey Olson - Minnoka

TRIPLES

2 - Erik Hill - South Metro
2 - Scott Layden - New Market
2 - Michael Lerchen - Metro
1 - Nate Burkett - Chaska V
1 - Josh Conley - South Metro

HOMERUNS

2 - Nate Rost - New Market
2 - Andy Henkemeyer - New Market
1 - Jacob Petricka - Elko
1 - Bryan McCallum - St Michael
1 - Kevin Utoft - St Anthony

WALKS

9 - Joey Olson - Minnoka
9 - Todd Haag - Rockford
8 - Joe Haehn - RC
7 - Jordy Horsch - Hastings
7 - Mike Mickelson - St Michael

HIT BY PITCH

5 - Lucas Koerner - St Paul
4 - Erik Hill - South Metro
4 - Jeff Miller - St Louis Park
4 - Wes Hanson - South Metro
3 - Matt Johnson - Minnoka

STOLEN BASES

12 - Cody Candler - South Metro
11 - Joey Olson - Minnoka
9 - Ross Ricci - South Metro
9 - Jeremy Brooks - St Paul
9 - Todd Haag - Rockford



WINS

4 - Brandon Casa de Calvo - Minnetonka S
3 - Al Weeman - New Market
3 - Wade Johnson - St Paul
3 - Tommy Hansen - Minnetonka S
3 - Jack Nelson - Minnoka

LOSS

3 - Lance Reynolds - Rockford
3 - Steve Jahnke Jr - St Anthony
2 - Jason Marmolejo - Bloomington
2 - Alex Tava - Northfield
2 - Brett Jahnke - Chaska D

ERA
(min 12.5 IP)

0.52 - Charlie Ruud - St Louis Park
0.60 - Ben Schroeder - Minnoka
0.89 - Tommy Hansen - Minnetonka S
1.38 - Bub Lovas - Minnoka
1.38 - Pete Fuller - St Louis Park

WHIP
(Min 12.5 IP)

0.81 - Shawn Motl - St Michael
0.90 - Chris Nicols - Metro
0.92 - Bub Lovas - Minnoka
0.93 - Derek Bergstrom - New Market
0.93 - Ben Schroeder - Minnoka

STRIKEOUTS

29 - Zach Riedberger - RC
27 - Jim Brower - Tonka Bay
21 - Ben Schroeder - Minnoka
20 - Jason Bujold - Metro
18 - Jack Nelson - Minnoka


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NOTES & SCRIBBLES

• There were fourteen Federal League Hall of Fame nominations this year, six got elected.
• Rumors down 35W is the new Jeff Belzer ballpark is being stingy with dates - that’s expected with new parks - but expect the Lakeville Bulldogs to mark it’s spot on the grass for the first time on June 18th verses the New Market Northerns. Should be a fun night for the Bulldogs.
• Again - we hope to have an exit interview published with Dan Tupper next issue.
• Congratulations to Mark Von Ruden who stepped up to the plate for the 1,000 time May 3rd verses Capital City. Von Ruden has played for the Grays for 16 seasons.
• Four former pros have joined the Federal League this season. Jacob Petricka and Chase Hentges with Elko, Chris Nichols with Metro and Jon Widerski has un-retired and is back with Minnoka. At current count that makes it nine former professional players currently calling the Federal League home.
• Parking lots have been quiet so far this summer, maybe with school out now and maybe the Tap Society truck making the rounds, parking lots will be back in fashion come mid June.
• Something exciting is coming Hall of Fame weekend, keep an ear and an eye out for a special announcement.