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Badlands Big Sticks

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Badlands Big Sticks
Information
LeagueNorthwoods League (Great Plains West [2024-present]))
LocationDickinson, North Dakota
BallparkDakota Community Bank & Trust Ballpark
Founded2017
Division championships3 (2018, 2019, 2020)
League championships1 (2019)
Former league(s)Independence League Baseball (2022–23)
Expedition League (2018–21)
Colors      Navy, red, white, brown and cream
OwnershipDave Ouellette
ManagerKelby Coburn
Websitebadlandsbigsticks.com

The Badlands Big Sticks are a collegiate summer baseball team that plays in the Northwoods League. Based in Dickinson, North Dakota, the Big Sticks play their home games at Dakota Community Bank & Trust Ballpark.

History

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The Big Sticks were founded in 2017 as a charter member of the Expedition League, beginning play in its inaugural 2018 season. The Big Sticks brand references 26th president of the United States Theodore Roosevelt's strong connection to the Badlands, developing his love for the Western outdoors there and inspiring his lifelong efforts towards conservation, becoming the namesake of the Badlands' Theodore Roosevelt National Park; the nickname references Roosevelt's famous quote, "Speak softly, and carry a big stick."[1]

The Big Sticks enjoyed a solid run in the Expedition League, winning three division titles and the 2019 Expedition League Championship. Following the 2021 season, the Big Sticks joined six other teams in leaving the Expedition League to help form the new Independence League Baseball.[2][3][4] While the Big Sticks continued to play solid baseball, they were unable to reach the heights of their early glory days in the ILB.[5]

On October 10, 2023, the Big Sticks announced that they were joining the Northwoods League for the 2024 season.[6]

Rivalries

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The Big Sticks compete with their in-state rivals the Bismarck Larks for the Railroad to Roosevelt Trophy, awarded annually to the winner of the season series between the two teams.[7]

In addition, they compete with their fellow in-state rivals the Minot Hot Tots for the Battle of the Badlands Trophy, also awarded to the winner of the season series between both teams.[8]

References

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  1. ^ @BadlandsBigStix (October 20, 2017). "We are excited to finally announce our team name and logo! Dickinson, welcome your new hometown team, the Badlands Big Sticks!" (Tweet). Retrieved December 11, 2024 – via Twitter.
  2. ^ "Independence League Baseball | Collegiate Summer Baseball Coming Summer 2022". Independence League Baseball. Archived from the original on July 3, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  3. ^ "Sasquatch, six others form Independence League". Rapid City Journal. October 30, 2021. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  4. ^ Reichard, Kevin (October 30, 2021). "Seven teams leave Expedition League, form new Independence League". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  5. ^ "Badlands Big Sticks to Join Northwoods League in 2024". LarksBaseball.com. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  6. ^ "Northwoods League Welcomes the Badlands Big Sticks for 2024". NorthwoodsLeague.com. October 10, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  7. ^ "Big Sticks and Larks to compete for new Railroad to Roosevelt Trophy"". BadlandsBigSticks.com. June 11, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  8. ^ "Big Sticks and Hot Tots to compete in the "Battle of the Badlands" Rivalry". BadlandsBigSticks.com. June 14, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
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