It all started in a Lakeville front yard, swinging around a big plastic fat bat and launching plastic balls into the neighbors yard with his neighborhood friends. Fast forward years later and Paul Jesh has traded in the plastic for wood and leather and is still running around the yard with his buddies - except this yard is now Bill Nelson Field and Jesh has the honor of being inducted into the Federal League Hall of Fame in the same place he now calls home - Dundas, Minnesota.

Over beers one night, his neighbor and friend Chad Marks mentioned that he had the itch to play baseball again after many years, but he didn’t want to join a team but build a new franchise. He offered Paul to be apart of the expansion team and along with the other original members Russ Bauer, Andy Howie they formed the Milltown Outlaws. Now after years of slugging it out in the South, being generous hosts at Memorial Park and volunteering his time on the Federal League Board, Paul Jesh will be honored this weekend and we chat with the future Hall of Famer.



Can you describe the moment you heard you were selected for induction?

I heard from you I believe Lars. (D’oh!) We have a Federal Board chat, and somebody asked if the 2026 HOF players have been selected. You had the information and forwarded it to the group not knowing that I was on there. I was shocked and surprised to say the least. Don’t worry, Tupper called me a week later and let me know.

What does this induction mean to you personally?

A lot! I am honored that I was recognized and selected to be in the Hall. This league has so many exceptional individuals that it blows me away that I was appreciated.

How special is it to be inducted in Dundas?

Really special. Dundas has been home for me since 2006. I live less than a mile from the field. Played and worked many hours on this special field. Hats off to Mike Ludwig for being the caretaker!
 

Who were your biggest influences or mentors throughout your journey?

Probably my Mom. She instilled perseverance. There will always be setbacks, but it is up to you how to handle them.

How did you handle challenges and setbacks during your career?

For me, I am lucky that I can stay healthy and not get injured much. It was a long time since I played baseball in the 90’s for Lakeville Townball team so it was a challenge to adjust and play baseball again.

Are there any teammates or coaches you’d like to thank or acknowledge?

Coaches: Larry Thompson. He was the Lakeville football coach and neighbor. A coach is a coach no matter the sport. I was young but he instilled the importance of love, passion, fun and repetition to achieve anything.

Teammates: Russ Bauer, Andy Howie and Andy Streitz. When life happens outside of baseball, they stepped up and supported me. However, my whole team is comprised of great guys and wouldn’t hesitate to help each other if needed.

What legacy do you hope to leave behind in the sport?

Keep going… A person doesn’t have to be the best at something to leave an impression. Respect for self, others and the game. Just enjoy every minute and don’t worry about things that you cannot control. 



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HOF DAY SCHEDULE & ROSTERS

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

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

5:00 PM - East Metro Mammoth vs Metro Loons

NORTH WEST ROSTER

Chris Reese	Apple Valley A's	5G .250, 2 RBI
Brian Slipka	Apple Valley A's	5G .429, 3 Hits, Run
Ryan Sullivan	Chaska Diamonds	4G .333 3 Hits, 4 Runs
Tyler Prank	Chaska Diamonds	8G .130, 3 Hits, 2 RBI, 3 Runs
Jack Younggren	Chaska Voyageurs	8G .318, 7 Hits, 3 Runs, 2 RBI
Tom Corcoran	East Metro Mammoth	6G .667, HR, 10 Hits, 10 Runs, 11 RBI
Nate Stark	East Metro Mammoth	6G .545, 6 HIts, 6 RBI, 3 Runs, 2 Doubles
Sean Grenfell	Metro Loons	11G .286, 6 Hits, 8 RBI, 4 Runs, 3 Doubles
Tom Eastman	Minnetonka Mustangs	11G .500, 9 Hits, 4 Runs, 3 RBI, 3 Doubles
Jack Nelson	Minnoka Grays	8G .360, 9 Hits, 6 RBI, 7 Runs / 4-0, 1.12 ERA, 22K
Ben Schroeder	Minnoka Grays	10G .438, 7 Hits, 8 RBI, 11 Runs / 4-0, 0.40 ERA, 33K
Mark Von Ruden	Minnoka Grays	11G .548, 17 Hits, 22 RBI, 11 Runs / 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 7K
Lars Larson	Minnoka Grays	Manager
Matt Shaver	RC Rockets	7G .143, 2 Hits, 2 RBI, 2 Runs
Erik Hendrickx	Rockford Rail Splitters	7G .571, 8 Hits, 11 RBI, 2 Runs / 0-1, 9.81 ERA, 4K
John Novak	St Anthony Norsemen	9G .440, HR, 11 Hits, 8 RBI, 9 Runs
Dustin Gingerich	St Anthony Norsemen	9G .261, 6 Hits, 5 RBI, 6 Runs, 6 Walks, 5 SB
Trevor Stolhanske	St Louis Park Snappers	12G .378, 14 Hits, 11 RBI, 7 Runs, 5 Doubles
Tom Cook	St Louis Park Snappers	10G .267, 4 Hits, 6 Runs, 2 RBI, 4 Walks
Mike Mickelson	St Michael Angels	10G .292, 7 Hits, 6 Runs, 2 RBI, 7 Walks
Jeff Clabots	Tonka Bay Lakers	7G .381, 8 Hits, 5 Runs, 2 RBI, 3 SB
Troy Koenig	Tonka Bay Lakers	9G .448, 13 Hits, 11 Runs, 9 RBI, 4 Doubles
Issac Wales	Waconia Islanders	7G .250, 5 Hits, 7 Runs / 2-0, 0.99 ERA, 7K

Capital City Cannons, Minnetonka Saints and Eden Prairie Flyers send no represenatives. 

SOUTH EAST ROSTER

Troy Williams	Bloomington Biscuits	11G .345, 10 Hits, 7 RBI, 6 Runs
Steve Gomm	Bloomington Biscuits	8G .316, 6 Hits, 4 Runs, 1 RBI
Jordan Lockrem	Cannon Valley Kings	6G .267, 4 Hits, 2 Runs, 1 RBI
Branden Weigman	Cannon Valley Kings	6G .000, 1 Run, 2 Walks
Derek Fulton	Elko Chuggers	12G .258, 8 Hits, 9 Runs, 6 RBI
Derek Pfeffer	Hastings Hurricanes	6G .611, 11 Hits, 10 RBI, 5 Runs
Nate Otto	Hastings Hurricanes	9G .667, 16 Hits, 9 RBI, 5 Runs
Nick Tuckner	Hastings Hurricanes	Manager
Jamie Steinberg	Lakeville Bulldogs	11G .385, 19 Runs / 1-2, 10.72 ERA, 18K
Ben Neibaur	Lakeville Bulldogs	10G .500, 13 Hits, 14 Runs, 13 RBI
Josh Lowen	Lakeville Bulldogs	8G .269, 13 Runs / 2-1, 2.43 ERA, 11K
Cole Manthey	Lonsdale Jokers	5G .429, 6 Hits, 3 Runs, 3 RBI
Nick Davis	Milltown Outlaws	9G .417, 10 Hits, 4 Runs, 3 RBI
Paul Jesh	Milltown Outlaws	4G .300, 3 Hits, RBI
Scott Weber	New Market Northerns	9G .267, 4 Hits, 4 RBI, 1 Run
Joey Schnoor	New Market Northerns	9G .571, 8 Hits, 5 RBI, 4 Runs
Jake Pleschourt	Northfield Millers	9G .692, 18 Hits, 14 Runs, 6 RBI
Derek Bonser	River Falls Groupers	6G .364, 4 Hits, 2 Runs
Dave Kuschel	River Falls Groupers	5G .000
Matt Tschida	Rosemount Pipers	6G .364, 4 Hits, 4 Runs, 4 RBI
Greg Sell	Rosemount Pipers	6G .091, 1 Hit, 3 Runs
Mike Wickman	Saint Paul JTs	7G .500, 8 Hits, 4 RBI, 5 Walks
Nick Love	Saint Paul JTs	7G .500, 12 Hits, 10 RBI, 9 Runs
Wes Hanson	South Metro Saints	11G .314, 11 Hits, 8 RBI, 4 Runs
Eric Hill	South Metro Saints	10G .308, 8 Hits, 8 RBI, 7 Runs
John Jenness	St Patrick Shamrocks	6G .545, 6 Hits, 3 RBI, 2 Runs
Adam Schwichtenberg	Veseli Vulcans	7G .600, 6 Hits, 3 RBI, 2 Runs

St Croix Valley Silverbacks sent no represenatives.

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PLAYOFF BUBBLE WATCH
 

Cliff Christopherson is taking a file out of Adam Silver's macbook and the NBA as the brand new playoff format debuts this summer as the Federal Leagues Board bright idea gives more teams a chance to participate in the Class AAA bracket with the new Fed Play In Games format. Non-Division winners will seed out and play in games 5-12 while the Division winners will skip the play-in and automatically advance to the AAA bracket. Seeds 5-12 will play with the winner advancing to the AAA field while the loser will play in the AA schedule. The Play In Games will be played on neutral sites on a weeknight before the Opening Round of the Federal League State Tournament. This new format gives dark horses a chance to advance and adds some spice to the Federal League playoffs.

Here's the first look at the current seeds - if the season ended today...

Federal League Playoff Rankings Edition 1
Rankings as of June 26, 2026

AAA BRACKET

1. Minnetonka Saints

2. Minnoka Grays

3. East Metro Mammoth

4. Hastings Hurricanes

(Top Division Winners Advance)
 

FED PLAY IN GAMES
(Winner Advances to AAA, Loser goes to AA Bracket)
 

5. Saint Paul JTs

12. New Market Northerns 

6. Lakeville Bulldogs

11. Metro Loons

7. Rosemount Pipers

10. Apple Valley A's

8. Tonka Bay Lakers

9. St Louis Park Snappers
 

BUBBLE TEAMS

Elko Chuggers
RC Rockets
St Michael Angels


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NOTES & SCRIBBLES

• Lakeville opens up Jeff Belzer ballpark in dramatic fashion with a walk off win over New Market 6-5. Jamie Steinberg had three hits and two runs to help his rough start on the bump, Austin Mitchell pitched three scoreless to hold off the Northerns and solidify the win. Logan Bouts also had three hits on the night and two RBIs for the Bulldogs.
   
• The Green Mile. With just a month left of regular season play left we all turn our hamstrings towards Apple Valley who have to suit up for ten games in twenty-nine days. Good luck to the Athletics going forward, they are currently in the AAA mix sitting in the tenth seed.
   
• Again - we hope to have an exit interview published with Dan Tupper soon. Hello Dan?
   
• Add a tenth former professional player to the Federal League as Jeff Holm is suiting up with the Metro Loons. Holm was a 12th Round pick in the 2011 MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers. The Michigan State grad played four seasons at First Base in the minors reaching high A with the Lakeland Flying Tigers. This is the second former pro that is on the Metro Loons, with pitcher Chris Nichols who played in the Philadelphia Phillies system, also reaching high A with the Clearwater Threshers. 
   
• Managers be aware that you have until July 1st to pick up Free Agents as rosters are locked after the weekend. 
   
• Welcome back FED UP! Podcast.