Royal Oak Leprechauns
| Royal Oak Leprechauns | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| League | Northwoods League (Great Lakes East 2024-pres) |
| Location | Royal Oak, Michigan |
| Ballpark | Memorial Park (Royal Oak, Michigan) (2021-present) |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Former name(s) | Irish Hills Leprechauns (2015-2018) |
| Former league(s) | Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League (2015-2023) |
| Former ballparks | Siena Heights Baseball Diamond (2015-2018) |
| Colors | Green, King's Gold |
| Mascot | Paddy O’Dinger[1] |
| Ownership | Mark Sackett |
| Management | General Manager: Mark Sackett President: D.J. LeMahieu[2] |
| Manager | Christian Faust[3] |
| Media | Northwoods League + |
| Website | Official website |
The Royal Oak Leprechauns are a summer collegiate baseball team based in Royal Oak, Michigan. They play their home games at Memorial Park.[4] Founded in 2015, they began playing in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League in 2016 as the Irish Hills Leprechauns, based in Adrian, Michigan.[5] They remained in Adrian through the 2018 season, then relocated to Royal Oak, resuming play in 2021 as the Royal Oaks Leprechauns.[6][7] After three seasons they left the GLSCL and joined the Northwoods League in 2024.[8][9]
History
In 2015, the team became a 501(c)(3) organization and signed with the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League as the Irish Hills Leprechauns playing out of Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan. [10]
In 2018, Leprechauns owner and general manager, Mark Sackett considered relocating the team to Grand Rapids, Michigan[11] but ultimately came to a 10 year agreement with the city of Royal Oak to move the team to Memorial Park, as the Royal Oak Leprechauns. [11]
In 2020, New York Yankees all-star and gold glove winning infielder, D.J. LeMahieu began supporting the Leprechauns as a primary investor, funding numerous renovations to Memorial Park.[12] LeMahieu later transitioned to the role of Leprechauns president. [13]
In October 2023, it was announced that the Leprechauns would be leaving the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League and joining the Northwoods league for the 2024 season.[14] Over 350 players from the Northwoods League have advanced to play Major League Baseball.[15]
Season-by-season results
2016-2023: Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League[7]
2024-present: Northwoods League[16]
| Season | Wins | Losses | Pct | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 22 | 20 | .524 | Did not qualify |
| 2017 | 16 | 26 | .381 | Did not qualify |
| 2018 | 19 | 22 | .463 | Did not qualify |
| 2021 | 23 | 19 | .548 | Did not qualify |
| 2022 | 17 | 21 | .447 | Did not qualify |
| 2023 | 17 | 21 | .447 | Did not qualify |
| 2024 | 34 | 38 | .472 | Did not qualify |
Yearly Attendance
| Year | Attendance |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 26,206[17] |
Leprechauns in the Pros
Four Leprechauns have played professionally:[18]
- Trent Farquhar (Philadelphia Phillies (minors))[19]
- Derek Clark (Los Angeles Angels (minors))[20]
- Griffin Kilander (Boston Red Sox (minors))[21]
- Jake Jekielek (Arizona Diamondbacks (minors))[22]
References
- ^ Meet Our Mascot Paddy O’Dinger
- ^ Front Office - Royal Oak Leprechauns
- ^ Coaching Staff - Yoral Oak Leprechauns
- ^ "Homepage". Royal Oak Leprechauns. September 10, 2018.
- ^ DeGraaf, Kenneth (December 17, 2015). "Irish Hills Leprechauns baseball team to play at Siena Heights". lenconnect.com. The Daily Telegram. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
- ^ "New Royal Oak summer baseball team: DJ LeMahieu funds Leprechauns' move to Memorial Park". WXYZ Detroit. June 3, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
- ^ a b All-time Yearly Standings - Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League
- ^ Champion, Brandon (October 19, 2023). "Royal Oak Leprechauns to become Michigan's 4th Northwoods League team". MLive - Sports.
- ^ "Northwoods League adds Royal Oak Leprechauns for 2024". Ballpark Digest. October 23, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
- ^ "Royal Oak Leprechauns | Royal Oak, MI". City of Royal Oak Website.
- ^ a b Paul, Tony (May 14, 2021). "College baseball stars setting up shop in Royal Oak: Here's how the Leprechauns came to be". The Detroit News.
- ^ Galli, Brad (June 4, 2022). "Year Two Begins for Royal Oak Leprechauns, College Summer Wooden Bat Team DJ Lemahieu Helped Start". WXYZ Detroit. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
- ^ Kirk, Megan (May 25, 2025). "Royal Oak Leprechauns set to open 2025 season". Royal Oak Tribune.
- ^ "Northwoods League Welcomes the Royal Oak Leprechauns for 2024". Official Northwoods League Website. October 19, 2023.
- ^ "NWL Alumni Page". Official Northwoods League Website. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ Standings - Northwoods League
- ^ Reichard, Kevin (October 28, 2024). "2024 summer collegiate attendance by total - Ballpark Digest". Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ Leprechauns Turned Pro
- ^ Trent Farquhar Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News | MiLB.com
- ^ Derek Clark Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News | MiLB.com
- ^ Griffin Kilander Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News | MiLB.com
- ^ Jake Jekielek Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News | MiLB.com