By Nick Gerhardt
After two years of a two-class system, the MBA returns to a three-class format and with it a brand new Class C. It opens up new opportunities for teams that have spent years knocking at the doorstep of a state tournament berth or lamented short state tournament runs in the past.
With the new Class C comes some new pollsters. We welcome three new experts to weigh in on the Class C landscape to provide their insights and hot takes. And they’ve fired some shots from the get-go, more on that later. We’ve added Elrosa’s AJ Hadley, Litchfield’s John Anderson and Detroit Lakes’ Brandon Johnson while returning our southern/southwest area pollster Chad Knutson from Heron Lake.
Our experts surveyed the field and relied largely on last year’s results to shape the Class C preseason rankings. The group liked the looks of Courtland after the Cubs put together a Labor Day weekend run to select them as a unanimous No. 1 to start the season.
The found further consensus by selecting Waterville and Sauk Centre as the No. 2-ranked teams with an equal amount of points. Following those picks, they liked upstart Le Sueur, fresh off its first state tournament trip in 20 years.
Another team that landed a state tournament spot for the first time in more than 20 years claimed the No. 5 spot with the Litchfield Blues. A more frequent visitor to the state tournament, Farming, took the No. 6 slot, in part because of its first-round victory over 2023 champ Maple Lake last season.
Wanamingo has made nearly a handful of state tournament appearances and our pollsters selected the Jacks for the No. 7 spot. Elsewhere, Clearwater has spent the past few years racking up regular season victories, but fallen short of state. This year, the River Cats start the season as the No. 8-ranked team. New York Mills has three consecutive state tournament trips and the Millers figure in at the No. 9 spot. Springfield reached the state tourney for the first time in seven years last year and the Tigers round out the top 10 in our initial poll.
John Anderson — Litchfield Blues
As a rookie ranker about to dive headfirst into the newly realigned Class C MBA rankings, I want to start by saying this: I have nothing but respect for every single team in this class. There’s been some noise — mostly from folks now in Class B, and even a few freshly anointed Class A teams — claiming that we’re just battling for a participation trophy. That this new version of Class C isn’t worthy of hoisting hardware. That it’s a major step down in talent and we’re watering down the tournament.
Screw ’em.
We’re not going to apologize for not pulling in an ace from a metro-area high school. We’re not going to apologize for not playing in minor league stadiums. This is real town team baseball at its core — small towns, local guys, playing for pride and community. And if that’s not your thing, maybe you’re playing the wrong game.
To Classes A and B: much love. But the party? It starts in C.
1. Courtland Cubs
2. Farming Flames
3. Sauk Centre Titans
4. Waterville Indians
5. Le Sueur Braves
6. Springfield Tigers
7. Elrosa Saints
8. St. Peter Saints
9. Richmond Royals
10. Detroit Lakes Ligers
AJ Hadley — Elrosa Saints
1. Courtland Cubs — Final 8 team from 2024 and picked up another arm in Ansen Dulas from Watertown.
2. Litchfield Blues — Talkin’ Townball Podcast says they are favored to win it all in 2025 on the backs of Hyde and Liestman.
3. Waterville Indians — Solid squad turning into a perennial state tournament team. McBroom turning the corner in 2025. Will have to score more runs. #For2’s.
4. Le Sueur Braves — Got a state tournament win in 2024, up and coming collegiate roster via Gustavus Adolphus.
5. Sauk Centre Titans — Sweet 16 Team from 2024, veteran core, should take care of business in the Resorters League.
6. Clearwater River Cats — Solid 2024 regular season in a gritty Sauk Valley League, will play a pile of games in 2025. Good youthful squad.
7. New York Mills Millers — No. 1 seed out of Region 14 in 2024 in a baseball town. Should have a successful Hi-10 season once again.
8. Farming Flames — Dethroned the 2023 state champs in the first round of 2024 state tourney. Deep roster on the backs of Navratil and Nett.
9. Pierz Lakers — Where did everyone in the Victory League go? The addition of Ryan Chmielewski from Foley and Carter Petron make for a nice 1-2 punch.
10. Hadley Buttermakers — Butter up. Will make some noise once again in the Gopher League. How far can Tucker Sorenson take them?
Brandon Johnson — Detroit Lakes Ligers
1. Courtland Cubs — After making the final 8 last year, with wins over Richmond, Stark, Isanti (B), Red Wing (B) and New Ulm (B), and seeing the second round of the 2023 state tournament, the Cubs are at the top of the wild west that is the newly aligned Class C.
2. Sauk Centre Titans — 2024 saw the Titans win their region over Alexandria (B), and get a win at the state tournament over Loretto (B) to join Courtland as the only other team to make it past the second round in last year’s state tournament, which remains in Class C.
3. Le Sueur Braves — Wins over Madison, Waterville and Jordan (B) through the 2024 Region tournament and one win at state put them in this early No. 3 slot.
4. Waterville Indians — The second team on this list to have appeared both in the 2024 and 2023 state tournament, only fall behind Le Sueur based on their last matchup, which saw the Braves best the Indians. Being on two honorable mentions in the final 2024 rankings helps them earn their spot.
5. Wanamingo Jacks — Much like Waterville, the Jacks also finished in the state tournament, and on two different honorable mention rankings in 2024.
6. Litchfield Blues — A hot pick among the townball podcast circuit, the Blues come off of a state tournament appearance beating Hutchinson (B) and Delano (B) along the way.
7. Farming Flames — With a win to earn a second-round appearance in the 2024 state tournament, capturing victories over Richmond and Cold Spring (B), the Flames look to lead a competitive Region 8.
8. Pierz Brewers — The Brewers also come off of a 2024 state tournament berth, taking care of Avon (B) and St. Wendel to get there.
9. New York Mills Millers — Only the third team on this list to have appeared in the state tournament in both 2023 and 2024. The Millers are looking to continue to represent the north at this year’s Class C tournament.
10. Clinton Cards — A region championship in 2024 with wins over Madison and Morris allows Clinton to round out the top 10.
Honorable Mention: Luxemburg Brewers, Jackson Bulls, Hanska Lakers, Madison Mallards, Morris Eagles, Springfield Tigers, Perham Pirates and Roseau Royals.
Chad Knutson — Heron Lake Lakers
1. Courtland Cubs — Great run last year, made it to Elite 8, they can really swing it and have a good young core of players. Going to be a fun team to watch and tough to beat.
2. Waterville Indians — Perennial state tourney team, won the 13-60, 20-plus wins again. Led by Grose, Sellner, Stier and Boran
3. Sauk Centre Titans — Small roster, but have the right pieces and veteran pitching, Shane Trattles, Rousslage, Buening and Haskamp
4. Wanamingo Jacks — Veteran team, who has been at state three times recently and always a top contender in the Twin Rivers.
5. Litchfield Blues — Usually finish middle of pack in North Star League, but have made some noise in the playoffs, now those top five North Star teams are Class B. Look for them to be a major contender.
6. Clearwater River Cats — Always play a ton of games and usually win most of them. Play in a competitive Sauk Valley
7. Atwater Chuckers — Won the County Line League. Led by one of the best young pitchers in the state in Josh Kingery
8. Windom Pirates — Won 16 games and have the best pitching staff in Region 10 (First Nite/Gopher League) with the Lovell boys and Gilbertson and they added and the added a couple of former college players
9. Le Sueur Braves — State tournament team last year and could be a sleeper and do some damage, led by Bryce Novak and Cole Pengilly
10. Luxemburg Brewers — Good hitting club and some good pitching, led by JT Haren
Honorable Mention: New York Mills Millers, Brownton Bruins, Elrosa Saints, Cannon Falls Bears, Jackson Bulls, Farming Flames, St, Wendell Saints, Milroy Yankees, Midway Snurdbirds, Minneota Mudhens, Springfield Tigers, Pierz Brewers, Detroit Lakes Ligers, Hadley Buttermakers, Clinton Cards, Glencoe Brewers, Quamba Cubs, Paynesville Pirates, Marshall A’s and Minnesota Lake Royals.
Class C preseason rankings (As of April 23)(Pts)
1. Courtland Cubs (40)
2. Waterville Indians (31)
2. Sauk Centre Titans (31)
4. Le Sueur Braves (23)
5. Litchfield Blues (20)
6. Farming Flames (16)
7. Wanamingo Jacks (13)
8. Clearwater River Cats (10)
9. New York Mills Millers (6)
10. Springfield Tigers (5)
Also receiving votes: Pierz Lakers, Hadley Buttermakers, Pierz Brewers, Clinton Cards, Elrosa Saints, St. Peter Saints, Richmond Royals, Detroit Lakes Ligers, Windom Pirates, Luxemburg Brewers, Brownton Bruins, Cannon Falls Bears, Jackson Bulls, Farming Flames, St, Wendell Saints, Milroy Yankees, Midway Snurdbirds, Minneota Mudhens, Glencoe Brewers, Quamba Cubs, Paynesville Pirates, Marshall A’s, Minnesota Lake Royals, Jackson Bulls, Hanska Lakers, Madison Mallards, Morris Eagles, Perham Pirates and Roseau Royals.
