In 2001, the Rebels had their worst winning percentage in franchise history. Thanks to being in the worst division in softball history, the Rebels did only finish 18 games out of first place. Coming off a competitive season in 2000, the Rebels made up for losing Adam Miller and Brett McCollum by adding premium free agents Chris Minor and Dennis Wuorenma.
2001 was the ugly year caused partly by the many dry years of the Rebels farm system. With no real talent produced by the system since Miller and McCollum, the Rebels had a hard time transitioning to the next crop of young talent. While the team struggled, the future shone bright in Lake County, the Rebels’ younger affiliate.