Spooner Cardinals

Spooner became the Cardinals in 1992 after many years of playing under various names over the 70-80’s. The team saw varying levels of success during the 90’s with several state tournament appearances. The team went without a WBA playoff berth from the early 2000’s until 2008, but has been back in the WBA playoffs every year since (with the lone miss being 2013 and 2020-covid). Since 2015, Spooner has turned into a mainstay atop the Independent League standings with titles in 2015, 2017-2020 (4-peat), 2022 and 2023. After several heart-breaking losses in the second round of the WBA Playoffs, Spooner finally broke through in 2017 to the Final 4. Spooner lost in the Round of 8 in 2019 to the EC Cavs (eventual champs). The Cardinals finished as WBA runner-ups in 2021 after a classic matchup with league-rival Haugen Knights. 2022 saw another heart-breaking loss at the WBA Final 4 to the eventual champs, River Falls Fighting Fish, in extra innings. The Cardinals advanced to the WBA Final weekend in 2023 but lost both pool-play games in close matchups (also losing to eventual champs Tilden). In four of five WBA Finals appearances, Spooner has lost to the eventual champions in heart-breaking losses. The 2024 Cardinals will face some adversity this season with college season injuries, but should be expected to compete for another WBA berth in newly revitalized Class A.