On August 15, 2016, it was announced that the
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Class A
Midwest League affiliate of the
Milwaukee Brewers) had partnered with Marian University to bring the 20th Northwoods League team to Fond du Lac. The on-campus Herr-Baker Field underwent renovations to accommodate the team. A name-the-team contest was held, with the five finalists being Barn Owls, Dock Spiders, Lake Flies, Pipsqueaks and Shantymen. On November 21, the Dock Spiders name, logo and colors were officially announced. The team appeared in
Sports Illustrated as the best attention-grabbing new baseball club name for 2017. The team logo was designed by
San Diego marketing firm
Brandiose. In 2017, the team's inaugural season, the Dock Spiders went 38-34 (.528). After posting a 16–20 record in the first half, the Dock Spiders went 22–14 in the second half to finish 3 games out of 1st place. The overall record put the Dock Spiders in a tie for the final playoff spot in the South Division; however, the Dock Spiders missed on a 3-way tiebreak with the
Lakeshore Chinooks (who made the playoffs) and the
Madison Mallards. In 2018, the Dock Spiders compiled a 39–31 overall record (.557) to take the final playoff spot in the South Division, with split-half records of 21-13 and 18-18. In the playoffs, the Dock Spiders won road games over the Madison Mallards 17-5 ==MLB alumni==