Royal Oak Leprechauns

Last updated

Royal Oak Leprechauns
Information
League Northwoods League  (Great Lakes East 2024-pres)
Location Royal Oak, Michigan
Ballpark Memorial Park (Royal Oak, Michigan) (2021-present)
Founded2015
Former name(s)Irish Hills Leprechauns (2015-2018)
Former league(s) Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League (2015-2023)
Former ballparks Siena Heights Baseball Diamond (2015-2018)
ColorsGreen, King's Gold
  
MascotPaddy O’Dinger [1]
OwnershipMark Sackett
ManagementGeneral Manager: Mark Sackett
President: D.J. LeMahieu [2]
Manager Christian Faust [3]
Media Northwoods League +
Website Official website

The Royal Oak Leprechauns are a summer collegiate baseball team based in Royal Oak, Michigan. They play their home games at Memorial Park. [4] Founded in 2015, they began playing in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League in 2016 as the Irish Hills Leprechauns, based in Adrian, Michigan. [5] They remained in Adrian through the 2018 season, then relocated to Royal Oak, resuming play in 2021 as the Royal Oaks Leprechauns. [6] [7] After three seasons they left the GLSCL and joined the Northwoods League in 2024. [8] [9]

Contents

History

In 2015, the team became a 501(c)(3) organization and signed with the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League as the Irish Hills Leprechauns playing out of Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan. [10]

In 2018, Leprechauns owner and general manager, Mark Sackett considered relocating the team to Grand Rapids, Michigan [11] but ultimately came to a 10 year agreement with the city of Royal Oak to move the team to Memorial Park, as the Royal Oak Leprechauns. [11]

In 2020, New York Yankees all-star and gold glove winning infielder, D.J. LeMahieu began supporting the Leprechauns as a primary investor, funding numerous renovations to Memorial Park. [12] LeMahieu later transitioned to the role of Leprechauns president. [13]

In October 2023, it was announced that the Leprechauns would be leaving the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League and joining the Northwoods league for the 2024 season. [14] Over 350 players from the Northwoods League have advanced to play Major League Baseball. [15]

Season-by-season results

2016-2023: Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League [7]
2024-present: Northwoods League [16]

SeasonWinsLossesPctPlayoffs
20162220.524Did not qualify
20171626.381Did not qualify
20181922.463Did not qualify
20212319.548Did not qualify
20221721.447Did not qualify
20231721.447Did not qualify
20243438.472Did not qualify

Yearly Attendance

YearAttendance
202426,206 [17]

Leprechauns in the Pros

Four Leprechauns have played professionally: [18]


References

  1. ↑ Meet Our Mascot Paddy O’Dinger
  2. ↑ Front Office - Royal Oak Leprechauns
  3. ↑ Coaching Staff - Yoral Oak Leprechauns
  4. ↑ "Homepage". Royal Oak Leprechauns. September 10, 2018.
  5. ↑ DeGraaf, Kenneth (December 17, 2015). "Irish Hills Leprechauns baseball team to play at Siena Heights". lenconnect.com. The Daily Telegram. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  6. ↑ "New Royal Oak summer baseball team: DJ LeMahieu funds Leprechauns' move to Memorial Park". WXYZ Detroit. June 3, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  7. 1 2 All-time Yearly Standings - Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League
  8. ↑ Champion, Brandon (October 19, 2023). "Royal Oak Leprechauns to become Michigan's 4th Northwoods League team". MLive - Sports.
  9. ↑ "Northwoods League adds Royal Oak Leprechauns for 2024". Ballpark Digest. October 23, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Royal Oak Leprechauns | Royal Oak, MI". City of Royal Oak Website.
  11. 1 2 Paul, Tony (May 14, 2021). "College baseball stars setting up shop in Royal Oak: Here's how the Leprechauns came to be". The Detroit News.
  12. ↑ Galli, Brad (June 4, 2022). "Year Two Begins for Royal Oak Leprechauns, College Summer Wooden Bat Team DJ Lemahieu Helped Start". WXYZ Detroit. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  13. ↑ Kirk, Megan (May 25, 2025). "Royal Oak Leprechauns set to open 2025 season". Royal Oak Tribune.
  14. ↑ "Northwoods League Welcomes the Royal Oak Leprechauns for 2024". Official Northwoods League Website. October 19, 2023.
  15. ↑ "NWL Alumni Page". Official Northwoods League Website. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  16. ↑ Standings - Northwoods League
  17. ↑ Reichard, Kevin (October 28, 2024). "2024 summer collegiate attendance by total - Ballpark Digest" . Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  18. ↑ Leprechauns Turned Pro
  19. ↑ Trent Farquhar Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News | MiLB.com
  20. ↑ Derek Clark Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News | MiLB.com
  21. ↑ Griffin Kilander Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News | MiLB.com
  22. ↑ Jake Jekielek Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News | MiLB.com
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