The Door County League is a fascinating ecosystem, and the upcoming season promises to be another thrilling chapter. With a history of dominance by Kolberg and Sister Bay, the question on everyone's mind is whether the rest of the league will finally step up and challenge the established order. Benjamin Franklin's famous quote, 'In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes,' could be adapted to the DCL: 'In the DCL, nothing is certain except Kolberg or Sister Bay on top.'
The Braves and the Bays have been the league's dominant forces, with the Braves sweeping the Bays in the previous four seasons. The Braves' success can be attributed to the return of Trevor Reinhardt and the relief pitching of Tyler Neinas. Reinhardt, a top Braves bat, joins Austin Rohe and Jack Peterson in the top six of the league. Coach Dave Neinas aims to add more hardware to the Braves' collection.
On the other side of the spectrum, the Cubs have struggled, losing 32 consecutive games. Their season was characterized by sporadic performances, with eight double-digit losses, including two to the Braves. Coach Jared Pflieger's team has faced challenges in both pitching and defense, with the exception of the reliable Robby Pollman. Will Hartman will continue to eat innings, but the Cubs' struggles persist.
The Mets and the Ports, both playoff teams from the previous season, will clash on opening day. The Mets, led by manager Kevin Brauer and the veteran sluggers Adam Gutschow, Kordell Draves, Zac Marchant, and Nolan Wagner, made a remarkable comeback after a dismal 2024 season. With a healthy Jeremiah Jahnke, the Mets are poised to make a run at the title. The Ports, managed by Eric Bley, have a veteran core and the addition of Peyton Kuehn will help their pitching staff.
Sister Bay, led by the dominant Sam Forkert and the stable veterans Stuart Larsen, Tom Sawyer, Griffin Cole, and Dusty Johnson, is expected to make a strong push for the title. However, the Bays' late-season swoon in 2025 halted their three-peat aspirations. Baileys Harbor, under the leadership of Hunter Pawelski, boasts a fast outfield and the return of Bryce and Caleb Plzak. Chris Lodl will take some of the pitching load until Aaron Brey returns.
Washington Island, led by manager Joey Cornell, is aiming for a rebound season. With Jon Kordon returning to full health and a pitching staff including Ryan Jorgenson and Bennett Isaacson, they have a strong lineup featuring Luke Geiger, Ben Geiger, Troy Jorgenson, Ben and Alex Johnson, Caleb Cornell, and Matt Foss. The Indians, managed by Joe Sawyer, have a young pitching staff and a powerful hitting lineup with Cory Fuller, Nick Kita, and Cody Giesseman.
As the season unfolds, the DCL will witness a battle of strategies and talent. Will the rest of the league finally rise to the challenge and dethrone the Braves and the Bays? The answer lies in the upcoming games and the performances of the teams and their managers. The DCL is a league of surprises, and the upcoming season is sure to be an exciting one.
