Chicago, IL – The Midwest Collegiate League announces its formation as America’s newest collegiate summer wood bat baseball league with four founding member clubs. The Chicago Zephyrs, Rockford Foresters, Southland Vikings and the Will County CrackerJacks baseball club will form the nucleolus of the new league with additional markets soon to be announced. Play is scheduled to begin June 1st 2011. The League will play an eight week 40 game regular season schedule, with an All-Star Game and post season league playoff. Additionally, the League will feature a Scout Evaluation Day as part of its All-Star Festivities. In the future the League hopes to expand the number of regular season games as well. “We believe that the location of our league will be an attractive consideration for many baseball players from all over the country as it is easily accessed by car, train and plane,” stated Commissioner Don Popravak, a former NBC Universal Advertising Executive. “The Midwest Collegiate League will also be offering opportunities to the top minority baseball players providing them with a chance to show case their talents as well. With regard to talent our goal is simply to attract and to develop through experienced coaching the best college and junior college players in the country so that our league becomes a destination for Major League Baseball Scouts.” “The expansive expressway system across the Midwest will also allow for shorter travel times between games, pleasing fans, players, and scouts alike,” said Popravak. He further adds “with shorter travel distances it will also cut down on the expenses associated with overnight trips helping our clubs manage their operating costs.” The League will be also looking for expansion franchises across the Midwest for the 2012 season and beyond. “We are looking for experienced owners and operators who share our vision of creating a top collegiate baseball league which will become a destination filled with potential Major League Baseball prospects” stated Don Popravak League Commissioner. Popravak further stated “in the next couple of years we envision expanding our markets across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Southern Wisconsin.” The League also wants to recreate the fan excitement and experiences that are seen at both the Minor League and Independent levels and are actively seeking owner operators who have that experience. The League offices will be located in the Chicago Metropolitan area. Additionally they will be looking to develop advertising opportunities across the league through corporate sponsorships. These corporate sponsorships will provide our League with additional revenue sharing opportunities which will benefit all of our club owners. The overall goal for the Midwest Collegiate League is to build a strong group of committed organizations who want to compete at a higher level, who are experienced and possess the facilities to attract top collegiate talent. Baseball Clubs in the Midwest Collegiate League are actively recruiting players at this time. For more information on the Midwest Collegiate League, or questions on player recruitment contact League Commissioner Don Popravak email [email protected]. Be sure to visit our website at www.midwestcollegiateleague.com.