Traverse City Pit Spitters

Traverse City Pit Spitters
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Logo
Information
LeagueNorthwoods League (Great Lakes East (2019–)
LocationChums Corner, Michigan
BallparkTurtle Creek Stadium
Founded2018
Nickname(s)The Spitters
League championships2 (2019, 2021)
Division championships2 (2019, 2021)
ColorsCherry Red, Leaf Green, Black, White
       
OwnershipTC Baseball, LLC (Joe Chamberlin, CEO)
ManagerTodd Reid
Websitenorthwoodsleague.com/traverse-city-pit-spitters/

The Traverse City Pit Spitters are a baseball team in the Northwoods League, a collegiate summer baseball league, and began play in the 2019 season. Based out of Traverse City, Michigan, the Pit Spitters play their home games at Turtle Creek Stadium in nearby Chums Corner, Michigan. The team began play at Turtle Creek Stadium in 2019 after the park's former tenant, the Traverse City Beach Bums of the Frontier League, ceased operations at the end of the 2018 season.

Traverse City has a baseball history, beginning with the Traverse City Hustlers, a semi-professional team in the 1890s. The city had a minor league team, the Traverse City Resorters of the Class D West Michigan League and Michigan State League between 1910 and 1914.[1] Baseball then returned to Traverse City in 2006 with the Traverse City Beach Bums of the independent Frontier League, but on September 26, 2018, it was announced that Wuerfel Park had been purchased by a new investment group led by the owners of the West Michigan Whitecaps (Class A Midwest League affiliate of MLB's Detroit Tigers), with the park's previous team, the Beach Bums, ceasing operations. The new ownership group announced plans to launch a new franchise in the Northwoods League for the 2019 season.[2]

On October 25, 2018, the team named Josh Rebandt as their first field manager.[3] A name-the-team contest was held until December 14, with six finalists: Black Pearls, Dogmen, Dune Bears, Pit Spitters, Tree Shakers and Sasquatch.[4] On January 29, 2019, the Pit Spitters name and logos were officially announced [5][6] with the name reflecting the amateur sport of cherry pit spitting, which is played during the annual National Cherry Festival in Traverse City.[7]

2019 inaugural season

May 28, 2019, served as the opening day for the Pit Spitters as they defeated the Green Bay Booyah 2–1 before 2,274 fans.[8] The Pit Spitters advanced to the playoffs with an overall record of 52–20 (.722), winning both halves of the season. In the playoffs, the Pit Spitters first defeated the Kalamazoo Growlers 2–0 (8–1, 5–4) in a best-of-three series and then the Madison Mallards 3–2 to advance to the Northwoods League championship game.

The championship game was played at Pit Spitters Park in front of 4,636 fans as Traverse City had the better overall record. The Spitters trailed the Eau Claire Express 2–1 heading to the bottom of the ninth, but two Express errors, including a misplayed bunt off the bat of Traverse City's Andrew Morrow (Michigan State) with two outs allowed catcher Adam Proctor (Michigan State) to score and gave Traverse City a 3–2 victory, giving the Pit Spitters the Northwoods League title in their first season.[9][10]

The 2019 Spitters were led by 1B Morrow (.263 BA, 6 HR, 58 RBI), Mario Camilletti (Central Michigan) (.297 BA, 29 RBI), OF Jake Wilson (Bowling Green) (.280 BA, 4 HR, 45 RBI), and pitchers Andrew Hoffman (Oakland University) (8–0, 1.08 ERA) and Joe Pace (Michigan) (0–1, 6 saves, 0.50 ERA).[11] Manager Josh Rebrandt was named Northwoods League Manager of the Year.[12]

Traverse City Pit Spitters home game, June 2019

2021 championship season

The Pit Spitters won their second Northwoods League championship in 2021.[13] The team finished first in the Great Lakes East division in the first half with a record of 21–15 (.583), edging the Kenosha Kingfish by 1 game, guaranteeing a place in the playoffs. Traverse City would finish second in the 2nd half, 21–14 (.600), 3.5 games behind the Kokomo Jackrabbits.[14]

Kokomo had home-field advantage for the opening best-of-three series with the better overall record, but Traverse City took the series 2–1 (9–2, 0–3, 9–6), scoring 3 runs in the 9th inning of the deciding game in Kokomo to take the series, with SS Christian Faust (Grand Valley State) singling in DH Michael Styges (Oakland University) to break the deadlock in the top of the 9th inning, and closer John Beuckelaere (Madonna University) securing the lead in the bottom of the inning for the series win.[15]

Traverse City then defeated the Madison Mallards 6–2 at home in a single-game elimination behind a complete-game pitching performance by Joe Horoszko (Wittenberg University), advancing to the Northwoods League championship game.[16] The Spitters faced the St. Cloud Rox on the road, winning the championship 9–3 with the strong pitching of Northwoods League Pitcher of the Year Cam Schuelke (Florida Gulf Coast University) and a home-run from Mario Camilletti (Central Michigan) making the difference.[13][17]

The team was led on the season by 2B Camilletti (.312 BA, 34 RBI, 14 SB), OF Tito Flores (Michigan) (.295 BA, 41 RBI, 13 SB), and Northwoods League all-stars 1B Chris Monroe (Illinois-Springfield) (.303 BA, 7 HR, 59 RBI) and pitcher Schuelke (4–0, 0.68 ERA).[18]

Pit Spitters in the Pros

The Traverse City Pit Spitters have seen 16 former players selected in the MLB Draft and 43 alumni go on to play professional baseball. Five former Pit Spitters have reached the Major Leagues, with Luke Little becoming the first to make his MLB debut on September 6, 2023, pitching in relief for the Chicago Cubs.[19]

Bold indicates that player has made their MLB debut.

Traverse City Pit Spitters in the MLB Draft
Draft Year Player Position College Draft Team Round Year(s) With Pit Spitters MLB Debut ref
2019 Chase Wheatcroft Pitcher Cal State Stanislaus Oakland Athletics 37th round 2019 [20]
2020 Luke Little Pitcher San Jacinto Chicago Cubs 4th round 2019 September 6, 2023 [21]
2021 Spencer Schwellenbach Pitcher Nebraska Atlanta Braves 2nd round 2020 May 29, 2024 [22]
2021 Chad Patrick Pitcher Purdue–Northwest Arizona Diamondbacks 4th round 2019, 2020 March 29, 2025 [23]
2021 Andrew Hoffman Pitcher Illinois Atlanta Braves 12th round 2019, 2020 May 30, 2025 [24]
2022 Will Mabrey Pitcher Tennessee Arizona Diamondbacks 6th round 2020, 2021 [25]
2022 Jakob Marsee Outfielder Central Michigan San Diego Padres 6th round 2022 August 1, 2025 [26]
2022 Kyle Jones Pitcher Toledo Minnesota Twins 7th round 2019, 2020 [27]
2022 Mario Camilletti Infielder Central Michigan Chicago White Sox 8th round 2019, 2020, 2021 [28]
2023 Tommy Troy Shortstop Stanford Arizona Diamondbacks 1st round 2020 [29]
2023 Braxton Bragg Pitcher Dallas Baptist Baltimore Orioles 8th round 2020 [30]
2023 Zach Fruit Pitcher Troy Baltimore Orioles 9th round 2020 [31]
2024 Derek Clark Pitcher West Virginia Los Angeles Angels 9th round 2022 [32]
2024 Marshall Toole Outfielder Wofford New York Yankees 15th round 2022 [33]
2024 Cam Schuelke Pitcher Mississippi State Cleveland Guardians 19th round 2021 [34]
2025 Brendan Summerhill Outfielder Arizona Tampa Bay Rays 1st round 2022, 2023 [35]

Undrafted Pit Spitters in the Pros

Traverse City Pit Spitters in Professional Baseball
Player College Highest Level Year(s) With Pit Spitters ref
Sam Benschoter Michigan State AAA – Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds) 2019 [36]
John Beuckelaere Madonna Independent – Sioux City Explorers (American Association) 2019 [37]
Will Buraconak Indiana State Independent – Northern Colorado Owlz (Pioneer League) 2019 [38]
Hudson Byorick West Virginia Independent – Charleston Dirty Birds (Atlantic League) 2019 [39]
Chase Gearing Nicholls State Independent – Milwaukee Milkmen (American Association) 2019, 2020 [40]
Evan Gates North Carolina A&T AAA – Sacramento River Cats (San Francisco Giants) 2019, 2020, 2021 [41]
Kevin Hahn Cal State Stanislaus Independent – Florence Y'alls (Frontier League) 2019 [42]
Joe Pace Michigan Independent – Eastside Diamond Hoppers (USPBL) 2019, 2021 [43]
Austin Shea Toccoa Falls Independent – Joliet Slammers (Frontier League) 2019 [44]
Michael Slaten Benedictine Independent – Sioux City Explorers (American Association) 2019 [45]
Craig Corliss UMass Boston Independent – Windy City ThunderBolts (Frontier League) 2020 [46]
Johnny Hipsman Richmond Independent – Sussex County Miners (Frontier League) 2020 [47]
Chris Monroe Central Michigan Independent – Lexington Legends (Atlantic League) 2020, 2021 [48]
Crews Taylor North Georgia Independent – Billings Mustangs (Pioneer League) 2020, 2021 [49]
Aidan Brewer UNC Greensboro Independent – High Point Rockers (Atlantic League) 2021 [50]
Zeb Roos Maryville College Independent – Grand Junction Jackalopes (Pioneer League) 2021 [51]
Miles Simington South Alabama Independent – Winnipeg Goldeyes (American Association) 2021 [52]
Colin Summerhill Northern Illinois A+ – Tri-City Dust Devils (Los Angeles Angels) 2021, 2022, 2023 [53]
Miguel Useche New Orleans A+ – South Bend Cubs (Chicago Cubs) 2021 [54]
Nate Blain Ball State Independent – Lincoln Saltdogs (American Association) 2022, 2023 [55]
Brennen Dorighi Iowa Independent – Milwaukee Milkmen (American Association) 2022 [56]
Aaron Forrest Doane Independent – Washington Wild Things (Frontier League) 2022, 2023, 2024 [57]
Glenn Miller Eastern Michigan Independent – Evansville Otters (Frontier League) 2022, 2023 [58]
Evan Orzech Saint Xavier Independent – Schaumburg Boomers (Frontier League) 2022, 2023 [59]
Mitch White Cincinnati Independent – Schaumburg Boomers (Frontier League) 2022, 2023 [60]
Mitchell Grannan Maryville College Independent – Great Falls Voyagers (Pioneer League) 2023, 2024, 2025 [61]
Nick Powers Michigan State Independent – Rocky Mountain Vibes (Pioneer League) 2023 [62]
Andrew Herbert Reinhardt Independent – Washington Wild Things (Frontier League) 2024 [63]

References

  1. ^ "A "Brief" History of TC Baseball".
  2. ^ Buczek, Joe (2018-09-26). "Whitecaps Group Purchases Wuerfel Park, Plans Northwoods League Franchise". MISportsNow.com. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
  3. ^ "Josh Rebandt Named First Manager of Traverse City Baseball". 2018-10-25. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
  4. ^ "Team Name Ranking". 2018-12-04. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
  5. ^ "Introducing the Traverse City Pit Spitters!". PitSpitters.com. 2019-01-29. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
  6. ^ Herringa, Karie (2019-01-29). "Traverse City Baseball Announces New Team Name". MISportsNow.com. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
  7. ^ "Adult Cherry Pit Spit Contest". www.cherryfestival.org.
  8. ^ Sommers, Brett A. (28 May 2019). "Strong opening day crowd drives Pit Spitters to franchise's 1st win". Traverse City Record-Eagle. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  9. ^ "Playoffs 2019". Traverse City Pit Spitters. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
  10. ^ Sommers, Brett A. (16 August 2019). "Pit Spitters crowned NWL champs". Traverse City Record-Eagle. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
  11. ^ "Traverse City Pit Spitters – Northwoods League – team stats". Pointstreak Sports Technologies. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
  12. ^ "Coaching Staff". Traverse City Pit Spitters.
  13. ^ a b Rosenthal, Andrew (21 August 2021). "Schuelke's gem leads Spitters to second NWL crown". Traverse City Record-Eagle.
  14. ^ "Scorebook – Standings". Northwoods League.
  15. ^ "Pit Spitters Win 2021 Northwoods League Championship". 21 August 2021.
  16. ^ Cook, James (19 August 2021). "Just Ducky: Pit Spitters beat Mallards for title game berth". Traverse City Record-Eagle.
  17. ^ "2021 Playoffs". Traverse City Pit Spitters. July 19, 2021.
  18. ^ "Scorebook – Stats". Traverse City Pit Spitters.
  19. ^ Bomberg, Matt (2023-09-07). "Former Traverse City Pit Spitter Luke Little Debuts with the Cubs". Northwoods League. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  20. ^ "Chase Wheatcroft – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
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  29. ^ "Tommy Troy – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  30. ^ "Braxton Bragg – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  31. ^ "Zach Fruit – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  32. ^ "Derek Clark – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  33. ^ "Marshall Toole – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  34. ^ "Cam Schuelke – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  35. ^ "Brendan Summerhill – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. July 13, 2025.
  36. ^ "Sam Benschoter – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  37. ^ "John Beuckelaere – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  38. ^ "Will Buraconak – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  39. ^ "Hudson Byorick – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  40. ^ "Chase Gearing – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  41. ^ "Evan Gates – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  42. ^ "Kevin Hahn – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  43. ^ "Joe Pace – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  44. ^ "Austin Shea – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  45. ^ "Michael Slaten – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  46. ^ "Craig Corliss – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  47. ^ "Johnny Hipsman – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  48. ^ "Chris Monroe – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  49. ^ "Crews Taylor – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  50. ^ "Aidan Brewer – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  51. ^ "Zeb Roos – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. June 16, 2025.
  52. ^ "Miles Simington – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  53. ^ "Colin Summerhill – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  54. ^ "Miguel Useche – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. June 16, 2025.
  55. ^ "Nate Blain – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. June 16, 2025.
  56. ^ "Brennen Dorighi – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  57. ^ "Aaron Forrest – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  58. ^ "Glenn Miller – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  59. ^ "Evan Orzech – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  60. ^ "Mitch White – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  61. ^ "Mitchell Grannan – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. June 16, 2025.
  62. ^ "Nick Powers – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. April 17, 2025.
  63. ^ "Andrew Herbert – Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. June 16, 2025.
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