New collegiate softball team in Wausau brings women's sports into focus

A new collegiate softball team for women is bringing fresh energy and enthusiasm to the central Wisconsin sports scene, quickly becoming a source of community pride.

Wausau Ignite competes alongside teams from Madison; La Crosse; Minot, North Dakota; and Mankato, Minnesota, as part of Northwoods League Softball. The league provides competitive experiences and opportunities for athletes to further their softball careers — whether that means aiming for a larger college program, pursuing Olympic aspirations or joining the growing ranks of professional women’s softball teams.

In a conversation with WPR’s Shereen Siewert on “Morning Edition,” Wausau Ignite General Manager Brianne Barta said community members have embraced the opportunity to watch collegiate-level softball, especially given the lack of similar options previously available in the region.

“People are very enthusiastic,” Barta said. “We’ve had some really good home wins here at Athletic Park for fans, and we’re just getting started.”

Launching Ignite required significant adjustments at Athletic Park, such as modifying base paths from baseball’s 90 feet to softball’s standard 60 feet, and creating a pitching area that meets softball specifications. Recruiting presented another challenge, as summer collegiate softball leagues remain relatively rare compared to their baseball counterparts.

Yet, organizers remain focused on building a lasting legacy for women’s sports in the region.

Barta emphasizes the excitement around Ignite extends beyond the game itself. Each game includes fan-focused promotions, interactive on-field activities and an energetic atmosphere. She said the organization aims to make Wausau a prominent destination in collegiate softball, providing players with top-tier development opportunities and giving local fans high-quality competition to support.

“It has its challenges, yes. But it’s so exciting to bring this to Wausau and provide this opportunity for players,” Barta said.

Wausau Ignite General Manager Brianne Barta. Photo courtesy of Wausau Ignite

The following interview was edited for brevity and clarity.  

Shereen Siewert: How has the community responded to bringing this new initiative to Wausau? 

Brianne Barta: Community members have given us a lot of positive feedback. People are very enthusiastic to have college softball here in the area to watch because it’s something new and exciting. We had the biggest opening night of any team in the league this year at Athletic Park in Wausau, and that was really fun to see. 

SS: How are the players chosen for the team? 

BB: It’s a mix of recruiting and those who have applied to play. Some players really want to be in the league, and they apply either directly to teams or to the league as a whole. We also have players who are recruited — athletes who we wanted to come play with us as well. 

SS: Before the season began, you reached out to the community for help naming the team and choosing a logo. Why did you go that route? 

BB: We involved the community in part because it’s something unique, really. How many times do you get to name a brand-new team? We thought it would be really cool to engage the people of our area and have them be a part of it because it is such a special opportunity. We also wanted to gather those thoughts and ideas since this team is now part of our community. 

Based on that feedback, we put five feathers into the logo since we are the fifth team of the Northwoods Softball League, and we wanted our logo to represent the way we are igniting women’s sports. Quickly, you can see that reflected in our team’s name. We also incorporated feedback about the Northern Lights, something you see here in Wisconsin throughout the summer and is always a treat. So that is part of our logo as well. 

SS: For the Woodchucks, the goal is obvious. These players are trying to gain the skills they need to go pro someday. But there are fewer opportunities for women to go pro playing softball. Why does representation in this kind of league really matter for them? 

BB: While there are fewer opportunities for softball players in comparison to baseball players, they still have different goals that they may be working toward. Softball as of 2028 is now part of the Olympics, for example. Some players could have a goal of transferring to a larger program within the college system, while others are working toward joining one of the smaller pro teams that are now developing in women’s softball.

The league as a whole provides competition for these players who compete against one another. We also have a great coaching staff to help with development, which the Northwoods League is trying to foster for these athletes. 

SS: Players on the Woodchucks team stay with local families over the summer. Do the women on the Ignite also stay with local families? 

BB: Yes, they do. We have host families separate from the baseball players who are housing our softball players for the summer, and they’ve been really excited. Some have young girls who play softball, so having that role model in the house, that big sister for the summer, is really a positive experience. 

Members of the Wausau Ignite gather after a game at Athletic Park. Photo courtesy of WausauIgnite

SS: What is the game day experience like? 

BB: It’s similar to that of a Woodchucks game. We have different on-field activities in between innings, a variety of promotions, great concession food and a high-energy atmosphere.

The experience on the field is a little different with softball compared to baseball. You hear a lot more cheering from the players on the field, which makes it really fun to be there. 

SS: What kind of challenges did you come up against in launching a new team? This had to be just an enormous undertaking. 

BB: Yes, it was. Broadly speaking, we had to change the field. We had to install turf on our field because the base paths are different lengths. Instead of 90 feet, it’s 60 feet. And softball pitchers also throw pitches from a different position. It’s not on a mound; it’s flat and closer to the plate. That means we needed to rearrange the field to accommodate team play.

There were challenges with finding the right mix of players, too, because the league is relatively new. Northwoods League softball is only in its second year, so we focused attention on getting the word out about what we are trying to provide for players. Summer collegiate leagues are not as common for softball players as they are for baseball players, so we needed to work to tell coaches and players about these opportunities that we have. 

SS: Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals for the team and the organization? 

BB: Really just providing a great experience for our players. We want them to come to Wausau and enjoy their time with the team while developing throughout the summer months. We want them to feel like it’s the place to be, the Northwoods League. And we want fans to really enjoy and embrace their time when they’re here watching the games. 

If you have an idea about something in central Wisconsin you think we should talk about on “Morning Edition,” send it to us at central@wpr.org.