While Rochester, Minnesota, doesn’t have many high-profile professional sports teams, it is home to some exciting and successful minor league and amateur sports clubs. You can follow plenty of local sports, including hockey, football, soccer, and baseball, right here in Rochester. Read on to learn how you can support your local sports teams and catch a few games and matches in the coming year.
Rochester MN Royals
Image via Flickr by slgckgc.
Check out the historic Rochester Royals, Rochester’s finest 25-man amateur baseball team! The Section 1B league team is loaded with highly skilled and experienced local baseball players.
The current roster consists of both former and current professional and college baseball players, making for some seriously exciting gameplay. In years past, the team has drawn crowds of more than 1,000 fans and spectators to every game.
The Rochester Royals were established in 1924 as a minor league affiliate to the Kansas City Royals. Though the two teams no longer have a relationship, the Rochester Royals still boast an impressive lineup of players.
Thus far, 34 players have made it to the State All-Tournament team, with the team itself winning the state championship in 1991 and 2006. The best part about following the Rochester Royals is that home games at Mayo Field are free! The team plays throughout May, June, and July.
Rochester Football Club
The soccer fanatic in your family should consider keeping a close eye on Rochester FC, which has become newly acquainted with the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL). Throughout the season, the team participates in both tournaments and academy games.
The players on Rochester FC truly enjoy the game of soccer and enhancing their game and craft. The undoubtedly competitive team focuses on building technical skills, teamwork, and respecting the game.
When it was established in 2018, Rochester FC’s goal was to create a soccer team comprised of some of the greatest local talents. So, when you catch a high-energy Rochester FC game at the Rochester Regional Stadium this summer, you’ll see just the type of skill and talent the locals have when it comes to soccer.
The team focuses on building young local talent, as well, hosting its own U-12, U-14, and U-16 teams. Bring the young soccer lover in your family to a Rochester FC youth game during the February through August season. Your kid can even try out for one of the youth teams during the winter off-season.
Rochester Grizzlies
Hockey has become so popular in recent years that in 2018, Rochester got its own amateur team: The Rochester Grizzlies. In its first season, the Grizzlies finished with a strong 31-15-1 record, setting the tone for future years.
Since then, the Rochester Grizzlies have finished third in the West Division and even clinched a spot in the Fraser Cup Playoffs. There’s no doubt your first Rochester Grizzlies game will be exciting and eventful.
The team participates in 47 regular-season games, followed by a series of local tournaments. If you’re a hockey fanatic, take advantage of the affordable season tickets or 10-game packs. You can even host a special event, group outing, or party at a game. Between periods, you can enjoy special entertainment and fan engagement, making games fun for the whole family.
If you can’t make it to all the games, you can always catch the regular-season games that are broadcast locally and live-streamed online. The team plays September through March at the Rochester Recreation Center.
Rochester Honkers
Calling all baseball fanatics! The Rochester Honkers local baseball team was founded in 1994 and consists entirely of current elite college baseball players.
As a team within the Northwoods League, the Rochester Honkers play 72 games in a condensed 76-day period. The team plays strictly in the summer, when these college players have time off from their studies and can try to impress the major league scouts. Many Honkers graduates have gone on to play professionally and in the majors.
The Northwoods League has been around for 25 years and now consists of 18 teams. When you make it to a game, you’ll enjoy the typical ballpark experience and the classic wooden bat playing style. Slider the mascot will entertain you on the field and stop for photos with fans. Games are very family-friendly, even allowing kids onto the field to run the bases. Kids can also join the Honker’s Kids Club for special perks such as a Honkers jersey and camp admission, plus discounted ticket prices.
This league is a big deal in the Rochester area. You can choose between general and box seat tickets when you attend a game. You’re basically going to a major league game at an amateur league price. The team plays at Mayo Field, located in downtown Rochester on the Zumbro River.
Med City Freeze
If you’re a tried-and-true football fan, consider supporting your local adult semi-pro, full-contact football team, the Med City Freeze. The team currently has 11 local players and is considered a minor league football team.
Med City Freeze has been in Rochester since the spring of 2016 and has proven itself to be a solid football team. In fact, the Freeze earned the No. 1 seed in its last regular season, clinching the East Division championship.
The goal of the Med City Freeze is to bring football back to the Rochester area. Members of this minor league team spend significant time within the community, teaching local kids about football and even hosting football camps for children.
Med City Freeze is a member of the Northern Elite Football League. When you catch a game at Mayo High School Field during the next regular season (which runs throughout May, June, and July), you’ll be impressed by the exhilarating experience and the incredible talent of some of the best local football players.
These are five of the best local sports teams in the Rochester, Minnesota area. Have you seen any of them play? Which team do you plan to follow first? Let us know in the comments!
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