Submitted Photo Minot’s Matt Toomey (center left) and Hunter Allen (Center right) represented the Minot Hot Tots at this year’s Northwoods League’s All-Star Game last week in Madison, Wisc. Allen also participated in the Home Run Challenge.

The Northwoods League’s best of the best descended on Warner Park in Madison, Wisc., last week as part of the All-Star festivities, and for the first time in history, the Minot Hot Tots sent not one but two of their own to compete.

Outfielders Matt Toomey and Hunter Allen both received the nod as All-Stars in their respective first seasons in the Northwoods League, voted in by a panel composed of each of the 24 teams’ field staff and media contacts.

“Both Henry Allen and Matthew Toomey have meant so much not only to the organization and the team, but to me,” Minot coach Brian Lewis said. “They’ve been tremendous to me as a manager being able to put them in the lineup every day and watch them compete and do well was great. I know they enjoyed it being around the other guys. It was a wonderful week in Madison.”

Toomey and Allen joined outfielder Drew Woodcox in 2023 and pitcher Evan Dempsey in 2024 as the only Hot Tots players to be named to the All-Star Game, an experience Toomey won’t soon forget.

“It was insane,” Toomey said. “There were tons of fans, probably around 6,000 people. It felt like I was in college again with the amount of people there were. It was a great time.”

Toomey’s estimation was quite close, as 5,528 people showed up to cheer him and the rest of the All-Stars on during Wednesday night’s festivities. He even got the special designation of being the leadoff man for the Great Plains squad. Toomey said they arrived in Madison on Monday night and then flew back Thursday to rejoin the Hot Tots for the weekend’s slate of games. But the short time in between was filled with fun and excitement.

“We had a lot of fun, me and Henry,” Toomey said. “It was just a great experience being there and seeing some bombs. Allen got a hit in the All-Star Game, which was cool to watch. With that being our last game together, it was a good farewell.”

While Toomey made the trek back to Minot following the All-Star week, Allen did not. While unfortunate for the Hot Tots, it came at no surprise as Allen instead headed south to prepare himself for playing college baseball next year in the SEC with the University of Georgia.

But before Allen took off his Hot Tots uniform for the final time, he had two final opportunities to wear it off for the Madison crowd to see. He not only suited up for the All-Star Game, where he went 1-for-2 with a stolen base, but he also was one of 18 participants in the Home Run Challenge. Despite his Northwoods League career having ended nearly a week ago, Allen still remains the league leader in home runs with 14 and is tied for the league lead in RBIs with 50. He finished the Home Run Challenge with four home runs in his two-minute time allotment, as the Great Plains fell to Great Lakes, 52-34. Avary Makarewicz of the La Crosse Steam softball team led all players with 10 home runs.

The few days in Madison were more than just about baseball. It gave Toomey a chance to converse with guys he normally only sees on the opposite side of the dugout or not at all in the case of non-divisional players.

“There was a lot of great talent being able to see some great arms for sure and just talking with other guys about what they like to do and pick and choose what you like and bring it to your own game,” Toomey said. “It was a good experience.”

Lewis echoed Toomey’s sentiment.

“The biggest thing for them was being around the other players and being around guys that they don’t really know and that they’ve competed against and been on the same team now as an All-Star, I think they really enjoyed that,” Lewis said.

Both Allen and Toomey have put up monster numbers for the Hot Tots this season, putting them in a position to compete for the second playoff spot as the second half of the season reaches its midway point. Allen finished his Minot career appearing in 47 games, batting .366 with 14 home runs, 50 RBIs, eight doubles, two triples and 42 runs scored. Toomey has appeared in 45 games so far this season, hitting .320 with 56 total hits, including 12 doubles, four triples and two home runs. He’s registered 24 RBIs and 37 runs scored, while also being the Hot Tots record holder for most stolen bases in a single season with 19 thus far.

Toomey said winning the All-Star Game, which his Great Plains team accomplished with a narrow 3-2 score, was his favorite moment on the field, but his favorite off-the-field moment was just as sweet – literally.

“Probably just eating Crumbl cookie,” Toomey said. “That was probably my highlight off the field.”

Toomey said he’s a big fan of the classic chocolate chip cookie, while also dabbling into some of their specialty cheesecake options. But his No. 1 cookie currently is the S’mores cookie. Still, nothing was sweeter than getting to don the Hot Tots jersey at the All-Star Game.

“It’s awesome,” Toomey said. “It’s a lot of fun. It’s great to represent Minot. It was an honor.”

The Hot Tots weren’t the only local team represented in the All-Star festivities. The Minot Honeybees also made an appearance as part of the Home Run Challenge, with Taylor Chillingworth being named one of six softball players to participate in the event. Chillingworth is second on the team and tied for fifth in the Northwoods League with seven home runs this season. The Honeybees’ shortstop finished the Home Run Challenge with four home runs.

Submitted Photo
Minot’s Matt Toomey bats during the Northwoods League’s All-Star Game last week in Madison, Wisc. The Great Plains Division defeated the Great Lakes Division in the All-Star Game, 3-2.