WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Wausau’s entry into the Northwoods League softball circuit has a name.
Management announced the Wausau Ignite nickname and logo on Wednesday, the winning selection from a months-long name-the-team contest that included fan submissions and several rounds of voting.
Team colors will be shades of blue and green, with the logo featuring an owl with stretched wings. A wordmark featuring a wing and a secondary mark with a front-facing owl head were also introduced.
Head Coach Jasmin Estrada says she’s excited about the opportunity that the club will bring, both for her and for college softball players who now have a chance to get live, competitive reps during the summer. “It’s such an amazing opportunity for collegiate softball players. Being able to play while you are in college, get those live reps, and seeing live-hand pitching is an amazing opportunity. I’m super excited to help with the growth and development of our players.”
Speaking of that inaugural roster, Estrada says she’s on the phone with prospective players “every single day- networking with them and hearing how their season is going. We’re finishing up our roster and prepping for opening day on June 10th.”
The announcement was made at the team’s business office near Athletic Park. The event included a ribbon cutting by the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce.
Wausau Ignite Softball. Graphic courtesy: Wausau Ignite
Others on hand for Wednesday’s announcement included Wausau Mayor Doug Diny, Northwoods League Softball President Kathryn Reynolds, and local youth softball players.
The Ignite will open the regular season on June 10th against the La Crosse Steam. The Mankato Habaneros enter the 2025 season as defending league champions, finishing with a 41-11 record in 2024. The Minot (ND) Honeybees and Madison Night Mares round out the five-team league.
Home games will be played at Athletic Park, also home to the Wausau Woodchucks baseball club. The field was outfitted for softball with the installation of FieldTurf following the 2024 baseball season.
Ignite and Woodchucks Owner Mark MacDonald also announced that the first softball game at Athletic Park will not be the June 10th season opener. Mosinee and Stevens Point Pacelli will meet in a high school game on April 24th.
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