UWRF Baseball Returns After Two-Decade Hiatus

After more than 20 years, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls is reinstating men’s baseball, marking its return for the first time since 2002. The move aims to strengthen community ties and provide a new athletic outlet for students.

Head Coach Steve Bartlien emphasized a business-like mindset for the team, focusing on discipline in the classroom, the weight room, and on the field. The inaugural Red vs. Black scrimmage series provided an opportunity for players to showcase their skills in a competitive, game-like environment.

In the three-game series, Team Black overcame a 5-2 deficit on Oct. 11 to defeat Team Red 7-6 in 10 innings. Team Red retaliated with a decisive 17-5 victory in the second game, fueled by a nine-run seventh inning. The series concluded on Oct. 18 with Team Black fending off a late comeback to win 9-7, clinching the inaugural scrimmage.

Centerfielder Connor Ducklow described the scrimmage as a unifying event. “Opening it up to the public puts more emphasis on the game and it has been really fun,” Ducklow said. “We have the community out there and families out there each night, and this experience has been really good for our program and the community of River Falls.”

The roster, which began with 90 players in early September, has been reduced to about 50, with the final list set to shrink to 40 by spring. Players are continuing offseason training, focusing on strength-building, hitting, fielding, and pitching while vying for a spot on the final roster.

A spring training trip to Florida is planned, with players and coaches fundraising through community outreach. “We want to actually be there and show that we care,” Ducklow said. “We have to make sure that as a team we are putting in the same effort as a team that we are receiving from the university.”

Home games will be hosted at the newly constructed First National Bank of River Falls Field starting in the spring.