08/01/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Lakeville Lobos Retire from the Federal League After Three Decades of Championship Baseball
Lakeville, MN — The Lakeville Lobos have officially retired from the Federal League, ending an unforgettable run that spanned more than 30 years in the MSMABA/Federal League (35+).
Founded in 1993, the Lobos quickly established themselves as a powerhouse in Minnesota amateur baseball. Over three decades, the team became synonymous with championship-caliber play, dominant pitching, timely power hitting, and a relentless commitment to competing the right way.
The Lobos’ resume speaks for itself:
• State Championships: 2016, 2020
• Federal League Championships: 2008, 2016, 2020
• Federal League Hall Of Fame Inductees: Tori Holt, Joe Witt, Jerry Berkin, Dave Roiger, Jerry Fogelberg, George Walker, Rod McCormick, Chris Marker, Louie LiVecche, and Dan Wuff.
Under the leadership of General Manager Tori Holt, a Federal League Hall of Famer (Class of 2023), the Lobos became more than just a winning team — they became the standard. Tori had a rare ability to see the best in others, often recognizing talent, character, and potential before anyone else did. He built teams the right way, pushing players to elevate their games while fostering trust, accountability, and pride in wearing the Lobos uniform. He made the Lobos feel like home for the players and that feeling forged a bond of brotherhood that can never be broken. Beyond Lakeville, his influence made the entire Federal League better, raising expectations, sharpening rivalries, and strengthening the overall quality of play. His legacy is measured not just in championships won, but in the countless lives he impacted, as well as the players and teams made better through his leadership. Tori retires from the Federal League with pride and the peace of a job well done. His support and assistance have been integral with this big change.
A special place in the Lobos’ story belongs to Louie LiVecche, a living embodiment of what the Federal League stands for. The league’s AAA championship trophy bears his name — “The Louie” — a tribute earned through a lifetime of excellence, integrity, and love of the game. Louie has played baseball across seven decades, an almost unheard-of testament to his passion, durability, and respect for the sport. Known universally as the classiest player the Federal League has ever seen, Louie represented baseball the right way every time he took the field. Simply put, there is no Lakeville Lobos without Louie. His presence shaped the team’s culture, its standards, and its soul.
On the field, the Lobos were known for powerful lineups, memorable home runs and grand slams, elite defense and lockdown pitching staffs that delivered in the biggest moments. Off the field, they were a tight-knit group with a loyal local following and strong community presence.
In 2026, a new era of Lakeville Baseball begins as the proud traditions of the Lobos unite with the spirit and tenacity of the Burnsville Bulldogs to form the Lakeville Bulldogs. With a renewed identity, fresh leadership and a new home built for the future, Lakeville stands poised to carry forward its long-held standard of excellence - a standard that will continue to shine across the South and throughout the Federal League for years to come. Big shoes to fill no doubt. The best part is the alignment and support between and from the Lobos and the Bulldogs. A positive in every way. You can follow the Lakeville Bulldogs on X at .
While the Lobos will no longer compete in the Federal League, their legacy is firmly cemented in the history books.
For over three decades, the Lakeville Lobos stood as a testament to excellence — a team that played every moment with purpose, carried themselves with honor, and forged a brotherhood as enduring as their legacy. Champions on the field, family beyond it, they defined what it meant to play this game with devotion and heart.
This sentiment echoes across generations of players, coaches, families, and fans who wore the uniform, stood in the dugout, or cheered from behind the fence.
The Lobos were more than a team — they were a brotherhood, a tradition, and a standard of excellence in Minnesota senior baseball.
Thank you to everyone who made the Lakeville Lobos what they were, and we are excited to welcome Lobo nation to join us as we usher in a new era of championship caliber baseball in Lakeville as the Bulldogs.
Respectfully,
The Lakeville Lobos Organization
Lobos Forever. ⚾🐺
