In May 2023, the Northwoods League announced that they were creating a summer collegiate softball league to begin play in 2024. Explaining the rationale, co-founder Kathy Radatz said “We have seen tremendous growth in interest in women’s softball in recent years, and we are excited to be able to provide a platform for female athletes to continue to hone their skills and compete at a high level during the summer months.” In 2024, the NWLS launched with teams in
Madison, Wisconsin;
La Crosse, Wisconsin;
Mankato, Minnesota; and
Minot, North Dakota. In 2025, the
Wausau Ignite were added, bringing the circuit to five teams and introducing a playoff series. In 2025, the NWLS announced that a sixth team would be added for the 2026 season, playing their home games at
Albrecht Field in Grand Forks. They were the first NWLS team to not share a stadium with a Northwoods baseball team and the first NWLS team to play in a non-NWL baseball market. The
Grand Forks Channel Cats had previously played in the NWL from 1998-2000. ==Brand==