Madison Night Mares
| Madison Night Mares | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| League | Northwoods League |
| Location | Madison, Wisconsin |
| Ballpark | Warner Park |
| Founded | 2024 |
| League championships | 2025 |
| Ownership | Steve Schmitt |
| President | Vern Stenman |
| General manager | Samantha Rubin |
The Madison Night Mares 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 Night Mares play their home games at Warner Park in Madison, Wisconsin.
History
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.”[1]
In January 2024, the ownership group of the Madison Mallards announced that they would be creating a collegiate summer softball team to participate in the first season of the NWLS, with plans to equip Warner Park with an artificial turf infield, a portable pitcher's mound, and a movable outfield fence.[2]
In summer 2024, Madison joined with teams in La Crosse, Wisconsin; Mankato, Minnesota; and Minot, North Dakota in the inaugural season of the upstart softball league. Madison finished the season with a 25-17 record, good for second place.[3]
In 2025, NWLS expanded to five teams with the addition of Wausau, Wisconsin, and held the league's first playoff series. In the regular season, Madison posted a record of 35-7, significantly better than the next best team at 21-21. They swept a 3-game playoff series against Minot and won their first NWLS championship.[4]
Brand
In conjunction with Madison being announced as one of the inaugural NWLS franchises, the team launched a submit-a-name campaign that yielded four finalists: Swamp Angels, Thunder Chickens, Lake Muensters, and Night Mares. Night Mares was chosen as the team identity, with logos depicting a mare and colors featuring black, white, and a light shade of blue-green.[5]
References
- ^ "Northwoods League announces new women's summer collegiate softball league". BallparkDigest.com. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
- ^ Reichard, Kevin. "Mallards add Northwoods League Softball team; league to launch with four teams". BallparkDigest.com. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
- ^ "Standings". NorthwoodsLeague.com. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
- ^ Peek, Jenny. "Madison Night Mares win Northwoods League Softball championship". WPR.org. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
- ^ Hammond, Mel. "Welcome to our Night Mares". Isthmus. Retrieved March 10, 2026.