Northern League Baseball is opening its 10th season, with teams in St. Paul, Sioux City, Fargo, Sioux Falls and Duluth-Superior. In Duluth, the Dukes are hoping to regroup with new coaches, a new manager, and a new attitude. If they make any money this year, that would be new, too.

	Tom Masterman, at 31, is one of the oldest rookies ever to wear a Northern League baseball uniform. He's trying out for a spot on the Duluth-Superior Dukes roster. (MPR Photo/Bob Kelleher)

At 31 years old, Tom Masterman is one of the oldest rookies ever in a Northern League uniform. A year ago he was selling semiconductors in Taiwan. Now he's vying for a spot on the Dukes' team roster. Masterman's not here for the money, which isn't much. He's here for baseball.

"I always loved the game," Masterman says. "I was once told I had a million-dollar arm. Now I'm trying to make up the $998,000 - the rest of it."

Masterman fits well on a team of optimists. They have to be. Last year Duluth-Superior home games drew an average of 1,200 fans, less than half of the league's next worse draw. Co-owner Adam Ehler, the Dukes' newest general manager, is on a mission to fill the empty seats. He admits it's a daunting task.

"The team has been in decline in attendance for nine years now," he says. "They have been losing money every year of their existence."

Making money here is tough. Some cities subsidize their Northern League teams. The Dukes pay Duluth $20,000 per year in rent. So Ehlert's making promises he hopes he can keep. He's guaranteeing fans will enjoy their visit, or the next game's free.

"We're going to guarantee that you have a good time this year at the ballpark. Yes, it's a big step, it's a drastic step. It has me a little bit nervous," Ehlert says. "But we need to take some steps like that in order for our fans to understand or realize that we're here, or give them a reason to come out and enjoy a game."

	Wade Stadium, at 60 years old, is considered a fine example of an old-time baseball park. It's situated not far from the Superior lakefront, and it's frequently socked in by fog. (MPR Photo/Bob Kelleher)

Selling baseball can be tough in Duluth, where fans are as likely to wear mittens as baseball mitts. During the preseason, it was closer to snowballs than baseball.

"I've heard threats of snow," Ehlert says. "And that, I think, is our single biggest impediment. It's really tough to play a game in weather like that, let alone to entice fans to come out and sit there and watch it."

But don't cry about weather to new field manager Al Gallagher. Known as Dirty Al, Gallagher comes with a reputation. During one game, he kicked so much dust at the umpire, his shoes flew off. Dirty Al has little time for weather wimps.

"I hate using that as an excuse," he growls. "It's one of my pet peeves, really. Quit complaining about weather - come out to the ballgame and have a good time. You've just got to dress different, that's all. If you're in Florida you've got one gear on, and if you're in Duluth you've got another gear on. It's OK."

But last summer's warm weather couldn't keep the Dukes out of the Northern League cellar. This year they'll play what Gallagher calls "itty ball," driving singles and taking bunts. He says Duluth can't get the power hitters.

"But I can get the guys that really love baseball to come out here and bust their tails every day."

Cities with crowds land the big-name players. Winnipeg and its famed ballpark just captured Pete Rose Jr. Duluth fans are lucky just to find the ballpark.

	Adam Ehlert, right, co-owner and GM of the Duluth Dukes, hopes to boost attendance at the minor league baseball team's home games this season. The team is beginning its 10th season, but has never turned a profit. (MPR Photo/Bob Kelleher)

60-year old Wade Stadium is tucked away not far from the ore docks looming across the waterfront. The Wade is often socked in by fog. But when it's nice out, there's no finer place for baseball.

"This is the old-time baseball field," Gallagher says. "And people that really love baseball gotta love this field."

St. Paul fan Bill Tyler has been to Wade dozens of times. He says when the sun shines, it's magical.

"You're talking about a classic old ballpark," he says. He compares the Wade to Wrigley Field, the kind of ballpark everyone is trying to emulate.

"They would love to have this ballpark which is old. It's got those kind of rough edges - it's got those beams that are in the wrong place - but has character because famous people, famous ballplayers, and history has happened here."

Tyler thinks the Dukes can turn it around, starting with restoring stability in the top offices.

"And I think they now have that," he says. "I think they can try to build on it. It's not something that's going to happen overnight. But, I think everything can start to flourish in Duluth. It's just going to take some time after all the problems in the past."

Manager Al Gallagher hopes "itty ball" can draw just 500 more fans per game. He says that would be enough to pay the bills.

"I don't ask you to come every night. I'd like you to come one game," he says. "Give us an opportunity. Give us a chance. We guarantee fun out here at this ballpark."

Bill Tyler's Northern League fan site