WAUSAU — The Northwoods League schedule for the 2019 season, released today, features 22 teams, including two new ones, the Kokomo Jackrabbits and Traverse City Baseball.

As part of the 2019 expansion and realignment, the league is adopting new divisional names: Great Plains and Great Lakes, according to a Wisconsin Woodchucks news release. The names serve as an homage to the growth the league has experienced over its 25-year history, as well as its vast geographic presence, stretching from the Great Plains through the Great Lakes region and into the East.

The Division and Sub-Division breakout is as follows:

Great Plains West: Bismarck, Mankato, Rochester, St. Cloud, Willmar

Great Plains East: Duluth, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Thunder Bay, Waterloo

Great Lakes West: Fond du Lac, Green Bay, Lakeshore, Madison, Wisconsin (Woodchucks), Wisconsin Rapids

Great Lakes East: Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Kenosha, Kokomo, Rockford, Traverse City

“The Northwoods League 2019 schedule is of particular note as it reflects not only the continuing expansion of the Northwoods League to 22 teams, but also the resulting Divisional realignment,” President Gary Hoover said in a news release. “In creating this new structure, we believe the fans, players, and our affiliates will have an enhanced overall experience, and we look forward to making more refinements in the near future that are aimed at raising the bar even higher.”

The Northwoods League will begin summer collegiate baseball’s schedule on May 28. The league, which plays two halves to determine playoff participants, will end the first half of play on July 3 with the second half beginning the following day. The 2019 Northwoods League All-Star game will take place in Waterloo, Iowa, on July 16.

The Wisconsin Woodchucks will open their 26th season at Athletic Park on June 1, with a two-game homestand against the Madison Mallards. The Woodchucks have a 72-game schedule with 36 home games spread out through the summer. Find the full schedule on woodchucks.com.

The Wisconsin Woodchucks’ single game tickets will go on sale in April 2019.