Minot Honeybees
| Minot Honeybees | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| League | Northwoods League |
| Location | Minot, North Dakota |
| Ballpark | Corbett Field |
| Founded | 2024 |
| Ownership | John Bollinger, Terry Daffinrud, Glenn Bosch, Bryan Vibeto, Jarid Lundeen |
| General manager | Monica Hocking |
| Website | northwoodsleague.com/minot-honeybees |
The Minot Honeybees 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 Honeybees play their home games at Corbett Field in Minot, North Dakota.The team shares an ownership group and ballpark with the NWL's Minot Hot Tots, with field modifications made for conversion between softball and baseball.
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 2024, Minot joined with teams in Madison, Wisconsin; La Crosse, Wisconsin; and Mankato, Minnesota in the inaugural season of the upstart softball league. The Honeybees finished that season with a record of 10-31, with the lowest winning percentage among the four teams. In 2025, they went 21-21, taking second place in the five-team circuit (now including the Wausau Ignite) and qualifying for the playoffs. In post-season play, they lost the NWLS Championship game to the Madison Night Mares.[2]
Brand
In January 2024, the team announced the Honeybees name and unveiled their branding. In a press release, the team stated that "the Minot Honeybees draw inspiration from the industrious and collaborative nature of honeybees, which are known for their teamwork, dedication, and resilience. The new name aims to capture the essence of the team’s spirit both on and off the field. As part of the rebranding, Minot Softball has revealed a vibrant and distinctive set of logos. The logos showcase a dynamic interplay of colors and shapes, reflecting the energy and dynamism of the team."[3]
References
- ^ "Northwoods League announces new women's summer collegiate softball league". BallparkDigest.com. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
- ^ "Standings". NorthwoodsLeague.com. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
- ^ "Introducing the Minot Honeybees". NorthwoodsLeague.com. Retrieved March 13, 2026.