MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — This Saturday’s summer league showcase between the Oahe Zap and Bison Baseball Club in Mitchell looks to be only a prelude of things to come for the city.
Both teams are members of Independence League Baseball, a wooden bat league for college-age players. Wood bat leagues attract top talent from universities due to the difference between NCAA and minor league rules. Any player with eyes on becoming a professional craves the experience of swinging a stick from Louisville Slugger rather than the aluminum variety. The IBL and other successful organizations like the Northwoods League, which has recently expanded into North Dakota with several teams, exist to fill the gap.
The Zap and Bison will tangle Saturday at Cadwell Park at 6:05 p.m., with the prospects for more on deck in the future. Bob Habeger owns both the Zap and Bison. He spoke to the Mitchell City Council during the public comment period of Monday’s meeting.
Habeger announced, “We’ve got the permission of the league to relocate our Laramie franchise, and we are looking at Mitchell. And we’d like to come into Mitchell and be the Palace City Bison. We are playing an exhibition game here Saturday night at the stadium, and the way my people that were here last week are sounding, it’s going to be pretty successful. Got several tickets, maybe 350 to 400 tickets sold already for the game, and so I’m just here to introduce myself, our teams, and spread the word that we’d like to bring a baseball team to Mitchell.”
The Bison played at Cowboy Field, the former home of the University of Wyoming, before joining the ILB. The field features only 600 seats and the team did not draw many fans. Since becoming a part of the Independence League, the Bison have played a strictly road schedule. The Oahe Zap are based out of Pierre and play at Hyde Park.
The Zap are expected to bring a strong contingent of fans to Saturday’s game. The team has chartered a party bus for the evening. For Mitchell residents looking to grab tickets, the link is here. Cost is only $5 and all tickets are general admission. A promotion is in place for fans willing to bring three non-perishable food items or make a $10 donation. While supplies last, they will receive a free Bison Baseball Club jersey.
Cadwell Park’s baseball field is the crown jewel of the Mitchell facility. The last time it hosted the state amateur baseball tournament in 2024, it set a record with $72,080 in paid admission for the two-week event. Capacity is 1,800 seats, which is comparable to many other venues in summer leagues across the Midwest.