Wausau Ignite
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| Wausau Ignite | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| League | Northwoods League |
| Location | Wausau, Wisconsin |
| Ballpark | Athletic Park |
| Founded | 2025 |
| Colors | Blue and green |
| Ownership | Mark MacDonald |
| President | Ryan Treu |
| General manager | Brianne Barta |
| Website | northwoodsleague.com/wausau-ignite |
The Wausau Ignite are a fastpitch softball team that plays in the softball branch of the collegiate summer Northwoods League, also known as Northwoods League Softball (NWLS). The Ignite play their home games at Athletic Park in Wausau, Wisconsin. The team shares the ballpark with the NWL's Wausau Woodchucks, with field modifications made for conversion between softball and baseball.[1]
In May 2023, the Northwoods League announced that they were creating a summer collegiate softball league to begin play in 2024. Explaining the rationale, co-founder Kathy Radatz said “We have seen tremendous growth in interest in women’s softball in recent years, and we are excited to be able to provide a platform for female athletes to continue to hone their skills and compete at a high level during the summer months.”[2] In 2024, the first season of the NWLS included the Madison Night Mares, La Crosse Steam, Mankato Habaneros, and Minot Honeybees.
In 2025, the Ignite were included as an expansion team, under the ownership of Mark MacDonald, owner of the Wausau Woodchucks.[3] The Ignite's inaugural season record was 12–30, last place among the five teams and falling short of NWLS playoff qualification.[4]
