Futures League to Induct Class of 2026 Saturday
Five former Futures Collegiate Baseball League stars, including World Series champion Sal Frelick, will be honored at a Worcester gala.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Baseball
The Futures Collegiate Baseball League will induct five former players as its Hall of Fame Class of 2026 at the Futures League Hall of Fame Gala on Saturday at the Hogan Center on the College of the Holy Cross campus in Worcester. The class is headlined by Sal Frelick, a recent World Series champion with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Why it matters
The induction recognizes players whose league careers produced lasting statistical marks, giving Worcester-area baseball fans a local showcase for the league's history. The event also highlights a pipeline from collegiate summer leagues to professional success.
Zack Tower's 44 career home runs are the most in Futures League history, while his 18 homers for the Wachusett Dirt Dawgs in 2017 ranked second-most in a single season. Mike Hart hit .303 with 67 RBI across 84 games in 2026.
The players
Futures Collegiate Baseball League
The Futures Collegiate Baseball League is a summer wood-bat league for college players that operates a Hall of Fame recognizing its most accomplished alumni.
Sal Frelick
Sal Frelick is a Lexington native who helped the Milwaukee Brewers defeat Tampa Bay in the World Series.
Mike Hart
Mike Hart is a Lowell native who starred in the Futures League and spent much of his career with the Sioux Falls team.
Zack Tower
Zack Tower is an Auburn native and former UMass Lowell star who holds the Futures League career home run record.
The details
The gala runs from 5-9 p.m. Saturday and includes a cocktail reception, buffet dinner, a moderated panel with the Class of 2026, and a silent auction. Inductees include Lowell native Mike Hart and former UMass Lowell star Zack Tower, alongside Sal Frelick.
Timeline
Saturday, November 7, 2026: Futures League Hall of Fame Gala, 5-9 p.m., at the Hogan Center in Worcester.
2016: Mike Hart hits .364 and helps Seacoast reach 36-18.
2017: Zack Tower becomes the lone MVP in Wachusett Dirt Dawgs franchise history.
Season Trajectory
The induction extends the Futures Collegiate Baseball League's Hall of Fame tradition, linking a summer college circuit to professional success through Frelick's World Series title. The class also places Zack Tower's league record and Mike Hart's production within the league's long-term history.
Fans attending the gala can hear a moderated panel with the Class of 2026 and bid in the silent auction during the event. The induction also gives followers of the Futures League a clear record of career leaders to track in future seasons.
The takeaway
Summer college leagues can serve as a meaningful stepping stone, and the Class of 2026 shows how league stats can carry lasting recognition. Baseball followers in the Worcester area have a chance to see that history up close this weekend.
What happens next
The Futures League Hall of Fame Gala takes place Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 5-9 p.m. at the Hogan Center on the College of the Holy Cross campus in Worcester.
Further reading
Explore more Baseball coverage to see how collegiate summer leagues like the Futures League fit into the broader sport.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Lowell Sun.
