The Eau Claire Express are a collegiate summer baseball team that is a part of the Northwoods League. The Express began play in 2005 as an expansion franchise in the South Division. Play in the wood bat Northwoods League is meant to mirror Minor League baseball, as the players complete a 72-game schedule in 76 days over the summer months. Off the field operations are structured much in the same way as Minor League baseball as well, with the focus being on affordable family entertainment. Many of the stadiums in the Northwoods League have previously had a professional franchise call that stadium home. The Express first qualified for the Northwoods League playoffs in 2007 as the second half champions of the South Division, losing in the championship series to the St. Cloud River Bats. The 2009 season included a playoff berth as well, after the Express won the first half South Division. Eau Claire was defeated in the divisional round by the La Crosse Loggers. However, the performance of the organization off the field led to being recognized as the Northwoods League Organization of the Year. The next summer, the Express put it all together, winning both halves of the South Division and the Northwoods League Championship over the Rochester Honkers. In addition, Eau Claire was named the top collegiate summer team in the nation by Perfect Game.