[6][7][8] The Minnesota Goofy's, named after a local bar, played in the APSPL in 1977, finishing with a record of 24-30 (.445) and out of the inaugural playoffs.
[9][10][11] Initial owner Joe Houle ran into financial challenges running the team and sold to Steve Doran mid-season.
The Goofys had lost 16 games in a row, Doran fired Manager Dennis Willey and brought in Terry Fredericks to lead the team to finish the season.
[18][2][19][20] With the sale of the Goofys, new ownership finalized a rebranding as the Minnesota Norsemen and greatly improved the team on-the-field for 1978.
[27] The team added APSPL all-pro Buddy Haines from the Chicago Storm in the off-season,[28][29][30] but Minnesota just missed out on the playoffs in 1979 with a 32-32 (.500) record, 8.5 game behind Midwestern Division winners Milwaukee Schlitz.
Parrish, John Locke (33 HRs) and manager Rich Finke represented Minnesota on the mid-season All-Star roster.