© 2026 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Organized Baseball Returns to Saginaw

Organized baseball is coming to an east-central Michigan city for the first time since 1951.

Corky Thompson has bought the franchise rights to the Lorain County Ironmen of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League.

The baseball coach will bring the team to Saginaw and rename it the Saginaw Sugar Beets in 2018.

The league is sanctioned and supported by Major League Baseball with prospects who are primarily NCAA Division I players. The Sugar Beets will play in the Northern Division.

Thompson says the league is similar to other summer wood-bat leagues except with younger players.

Thompson will announce the home field for the Sugar Beets next week.

The team's opening day is June 5.

The last organized baseball team to play in Saginaw was the Saginaw Jacks in the Central League 66 years ago.

Related Content
With federal funding eliminated, WKAR relies more than ever on community support to sustain essential services that remain freely available to everyone in mid-Michigan. Your support helps shape what comes next for public media in our region. The best way to support WKAR is by becoming a sustaining member today or by upgrading your current gift. Support WKAR TV Here | Support WKAR Radio Here.