By Nick Gerhardt
By this time in the season you’d expect to have a clear picture of the top 10 teams in each class, and while we do have a sense, the top 10 seems to vacillate between a group of closer to 20 teams.
Our top five teams have remained fairly steady since the start of the season but after that, it remains more of a crap shot. In this poll we have four new teams in the top 10 with the emergence of Howard Lake, Granite Falls, Morris and Elrosa. The weight of big wins and consistency have helped vault those teams.
We do have a new No. 1 in the poll with Windom surging to share the top spot with still No. 1-ranked Hanska. The Pirates haven’t lost to a Minnesota team this season as they put together another gaudy record this season.
Cannon Falls, which rose to the No. 2 spot in the last poll, drops to No. 3 this time after battling some North Star League opponents. Glencoe continues to impress in the Crow River Valley League and slotted in at No. 4 this time. Cortland, which has hovered in the top five all year, remains there at No. 5 in this poll.
Howard Lake headlines the list of newcomers at No. 6 as it racks up impressive victories behind a resilient offense. Elrosa has played a tough schedule and backed up behind an impressive run in Hinckley, grabbed the No.7 ranking. Perham stayed in the top 10 at No. 9 this time after cracking the top 10 for the first time in the last poll. Morris entered the rankings at No. 9 with an undefeated record.
AJ Hadley — Elrosa Saints
After the smoke has cleared from the Fourth of July fireworks, we are headed toward the playoff push. A lot of unknowns, a lot to be decided, and we have been introduced to TownBall QRF at townteambaseball.com. I don’t know what to think of it thus far, but someone has certainly put in the time and effort charting SOS, Pythagorean Theorems, and KenPom ratings. Here’s to good health going into July as playoffs are closer than they appear with dreams of state tourney berths in the near future!
1. Cannon Falls Bears (18-7) — They have the body of work, and after a tough North Star League camping trip, I’m going to keep them at No. 1. They are back on track in July.
2. Windom Pirates (15-1) — They have beat every Minnesota team thus far on their schedule.
3. Hanska Lakers (10-3-1) — Would have liked to see them finish the 14-inning marathon vs. St. Boni, but should finish strong in the TELBB.
4. Glencoe Brewers (14-5) — Won their last 10 of 11, losing only to Young America. A couple of good matchups here in July to see where they stand.
5. Courtland Cubs (14-4) — Cruised through June as they are picking up speed into July. The Jordan tourney should provide some good matchups for them.
6. Howard Lake Orphans (14-5) — A lot of unknown, but we know they can win some close games. Unblemished Class C North Star League record.
7. Granite Falls Kilowatts(14-4) — Is it 2001-02 again? Most of the roster is too young to even remember that era of Kilowatt baseball, but some familiar names carry on. A nice waiver pick up at the deadline as well.
8. Perham Pirates (9-2) — Between the Pirates and Mills controlling Highway 10 bragging rights. The Pirates have a tough three-game stretch in the third week of July.
9. Litchfield Blues (10-6) — TTRF still seems to favor their Strength of Schedule. Have the pitching, will need the offense to keep pace into July.
10. Morris Eagles (8-0) — Meet up with Granite on July 8, otherwise a pretty Land O’ Ducks schedule. Could run the table into the playoffs.
Brandon Johnson — Detroit Lakes Ligers
Mid-season has come and gone, as of midnight on the July 1, rosters are set for the year, and the final tune-up push toward the playoffs begins.
At this point teams have had the opportunity to show their true colors, and get all the guys out that “are for sure going to play this year.” For some of our more knowledgeable friends on Twitter, this makes the Class C picture obvious and clear. For those of us still operating in 1996 on websites, it’s only getting more muddy, and we wouldn’t want it any other way. Here is the current landscape of Class C, as I see it.
1. Windom Pirates — 15 times the Jolly Roger has flown above the ship in Windom as the Pirates continue to win with their only loss coming to the defending Class A state champions from South Dakota. They have consistently been in the conversation the last couple of seasons, but are really sailing at full speed, leaving us the obvious question: Will they crash and burn out, or find the Labor Day booty?
2. Hanska Lakers — They’ve continued to find success despite recent losses to Lamberton and Springfield, paired with a seemingly controversial tie with St. Boni. Dropping to No. 2 for me is not a slight on the Lakers as they haven’t lost the spot, just been overtaken while sitting at 10-3-1.
3. Glencoe Brewers — An eight-game winning streak in June always feels good. Sitting at 10-1 over their last 11, with the only loss in a tough game to Young America. 14-5 overall, and high praise all season leaves no one surprised to see them continue to climb the rankings.
4. Elrosa Saints — 15-5, with wins over Class A’s Hinckley, and Anoka, along with Raymond of Class B. This team has hovered around the conversation since last year’s tourney appearance. I think the respect is overdue, this is a team ready for a deeper run in August if they keep playing like this.
5. Courtland Cubs — Despite sitting at a solid 14-4, the Cubs have been bit by the big-loss bug a couple of games. Call it Courtland fatigue, but there are teams chomping at their heels, feeling worthy of a top 5 spot, and I’m starting to fall for it.
6. Howard Lake Orphans — Another team I’m putting in the top 10 after missing the previous rankings, and again, it’s due to a strong resume with a win over last ranking’s No. 2 Cannon Falls, as well as Winsted, Litchfield and Class A Hastings. 14-5 looks really like an accurate measure of this squad’s skill.
7. Cannon Falls Bears — Last round of ranking’s darlings have continued to play a lot of games, but the winning percentage has come down as they sit at 18-7. With three class C losses and Miesville avenging an early season loss to the Bears. Cannon Falls is good, and will be for a long time.
8. Perham Pirates — As a prognosticator the last thing you ever want to do is give a team bulletin board material. Especially when it’s a team in your region. Who you pitched 8 2/3 innings against before they walked you off. Then our rankings came out, and I was the only one who had left Perham off. Were the rankings brought up in the manager pre-game meeting before our last game? We’ll leave that for those that were there to know. All I know is they won big, there were fireworks after the game, and as the Talki’n Townball guys would say #TweetYourLosses. To the Pirates (9-2), and General Grothe, you arrgh well deserving of the ranking here and higher.
9. New York Mills Millers — Up north bias much? I’ve been high on these Millers for a long time. Much like Perham, this is a club that has a long, and storied history in baseball. They bring a depth and youth that demonstrates (again much like Perham) the consistency and success of the high school program and coaches over the last decade. With an 11-2 record, and a 1-1 split with Class B Bluffton, I’m going to keep bringing the Millers up.
10.Granite Falls Kilowatts — Sitting at 14-4, with a June record of 8-1, the Kilowatts are grounded at home plate and making shockwaves in the Cornbelt. A competitive league that is hard to stand out in, makes the Kilowatts record stand out all that more.
Teams that just missed the list: Pierz Brewers (7-3), Dassel-Cokato Saints (11-6), Madison Mallards (9-1), Minnesota Lake Royals (8-1), Morris Eagles (8-0), Milroy Yankees (10-5)
John Anderson — Litchfield Blues
We’ve made it to July — and the landscape of Class C is really beginning to take shape. The top dogs are battling for league positioning, aiming to secure the best seed in their respective regions. As we navigate this month, you’re going to see some really competitive baseball, which is simply the best. Let’s keep everyone healthy and the umpires sharp. Amen.
1. Hanska Lakers — No drop in the rankings for the Lakers. Not a team you’d want to face early in a region or state matchup.
2. Glencoe Brewers — Sitting atop the standings in the ultra-competitive Crow River Valley League. The Brewers will be a team to watch late into the year.
3. Howard Lake Orphans — Undefeated in North Star League Class C games, this group is continuing to ride their state momentum from 2025.
4. Cannon Falls Bears — I had the pleasure of hosting this group in Litchfield at the end of June as they toured Central Minnesota. Great guys and a great baseball team.
5. Windom Pirates — What more can you ask from this group? They win, and they win, and they win. Even someone with an eye-patch could see this group is as solid as they come.
6. Courtland Cubs — Just a squad with a pedigree for winning. They seem to be having a quieter year than in 2025, but they are still a big name in Class C as we approach the big dance.
7. Morris Eagles — Winning all the games. The question of course will be strength of schedule — but they’re doing everything right to this point.
8. Litchfield Blues — Good baseball being played — only Class C North Star League loss was a close one vs. Howard Lake. Handsome manager.
9. Cologne Hollanders — Another super solid team out of the CRVL, anyone who rises to the top in that league deserves proper recognition.
10. Elrosa Saints — My only Stearns county representation on the rankings is at the 10 spot, which seems ridiculous. The Saints are flat-out playing great baseball.
Chad Knutson — Heron Lake Lakers
1. Windom Pirates (15-1) — Pitching has been dominant and they hit it well 1-9. Tough team to score on.
2. Cannon Falls Bears (17-7) — Lost three close games in a row to good C teams. But are battle tested with a tough schedule. 11-4 vs. A and B teams
3. Hanska Lakers (10-3-1) — Couple losses to good Springfield and Lamberton teams and tied with St Boni. Still the team to beat in Region 2
4. Courtland Cubs (14-4) —Only one loss to a Class C team and that was Hanska. Have won 10 of 11. Springfield, Lamberton and the Jordan tourney will be some tough test for them
5. Elrosa Saints (15-5) — 7-3 in the SCL. Beat a good Raymond team 5-4. Playing a lot of close, competitive games and winning most of them. Just took second place in the Hinckley Tournament, losing to Buffalo 4-1 in the title game. Have won seven of last eight.
6. Glencoe Brewers (14-5) — On top the CRVL at 9-1. Only loss in the league is to Cologne.
Have won 10 of 11 and have big matchup with Brownton and Hamburg this week
7. Howard Lake Orphans (14-5) —Playing well. Good wins vs. Hutch, Litchfield and Cannon Falls. Tough North Star League and Region 6
8. Granite Falls Kilowatts (14-4) — 9-2 in the Cornbelt. Have wins over Raymond and Milroy Yankees and beat Hadley twice. Led by Bennett Knapper.
9. Luxemburg Brewers (10-6) — Some good wins over Cold Spring Rockies, Sauk Centre, Farming and St. Nick. Close losses to Jordan and Watkins. Lots of tough games remaining.
10. Morris Eagles (8-0) —Only undefeated team left in the Class C. Big game with Granite Falls on Wednesday, July 8. Madison, Rosen, Clinton and Dumont are teams to contend with in their Region
Honorable Mention
Litchfield Blues, New Prague Orioles, Perham Pirates, Brownton Bruins, Upsala Blue Jays, Waterville Indians, Hadley Buttermakers, Pierz Brewers, Cold Spring Rockies, Urbank Bombers and Quamba Cubs.
Class C rankings (As of July 8)(Pts)(Previous)
6. Howard Lake Orphans (22)(NR)
8. Granite Falls Kilowatts (8)(NR)
Also receiving votes: Litchfield Blues, New York Mills Millers, Cologne Hollanders, Luxemburg Brewers, New Prague Orioles, Brownton Bruins, Upsala Blue Jays, Waterville Indians, Hadley Buttermakers, Pierz Brewers, Cold Spring Rockies, Urbank Bombers, Quamba Cubs, Dassel-Cokato Saints, Madison Mallards, Minnesota Lake Royals and Milroy Yankees.
