Month: April 2022

2022 Team Previews / Rosters

The Beef River Bullfrogs look to bounce back from a disappointing 2021 season under the guidance of new coach and Bullfrogs legend Taylor Rathke.

The Bullfrogs will be sporting a young lineup that shows a lot of promise and potential. We have an offense led by Taylor Rathke, Wesley Boyarski, Kyle Maug, and Ryan Grey; and the pitching staff led by Ethan Bartles and Tim Prince as well as many new and returning players.

The Bullfrogs would like to thank Jesse VenRooy for his hard work and for creating a great atmosphere for baseball in Strum! He has handed over head coaching duties but will still be an active member of the team.

There is a good foundation for an improved season by the Frogs! We can’t wait to see you at Spangberg Field to cheer on your hometown Bullfrogs!


The 2021 season was a typical season for the Fightin’ Woodticks. A grueling schedule in the always challenging CRBL where, for us, wins and losses are sprinkled together. Every team has a chance to win every weekend and this season, we finished league play at 9-11. Along with our regular season league action, Stuckert Field (home of the Ticks) saw the CRBL’s best gather for the league All-Star game where we got to honor Tick legend Scott Stuckert by inducting him into the league Hall-of-Fame.

In 2022, we are sad to report this will be the final season at historic Stuckert Field. Come up to Bloomer and celebrate with us as we remember all of the wins and losses on the field and our undefeated record of having a great time after the game. Whether the Liar’s Dice box comes out, the second beer run happens, or Scrub finally gets to the bottom of the fish fry pan Stucket Field has been the place to be.

As actual ticks come out of the woodwork, that is how the Woodtick roster will be this year as we invite some old and new faces to suit up this year.

Thank you to our major sponsors: Brian Simmons, Catalytic Combustion, The Badger Hole, Billy’s Grill, and Shadick’s Price Rite. We would also like to thank many other local sponsors and Bloomer community members with special mention for the Trixie and Ann Lane family for all of their help and support. Thank you to our families and fans for your support. The season is not done yet! Go Ticks!


The Red Sox are excited to be back for another year of CRBL baseball in 2022! The Red Sox roster will have many familiar faces as well as some new faces this season. Former all star Jake Arneson has decided to retire after being the team’s primary catcher for the last ten seasons. His veteran leadership and consistent play will be missed. 2021 all star Zac Merritt will be returning for his 2nd season with the Sox. Last season he brought some much needed stability to the shortstop position while batting .328 and leading the Red Sox in runs scored and stolen bases.

Other returning veterans include Mike Danielson, Tony Riley, Ben Poppe, Austin Goettl, Bennett Bowe, Casey Schara, Nate Stone, and CRBL Gold Glover Shawn Sedlacek. 2021 high school graduates Dylan Davis, Carter Vait, and Kaden Thurmond bring some young talent to the team as do offseason pickups Ely Johnson and Parker Lemanski.

The team would like to thank all of their fans and their outstanding sponsors. (Take a second and scroll through our sponsors below). Without you guys we wouldn’t exist! Lets play ball!


The Chippewa Falls LumberJacks (latest version established in 2020) are now entering their third year of play and the second official season in the CRBL.  Our home games are played at beautiful Gannon Field/Casper Park and the Jack’s proudly field a roster of mostly homegrown players from the Chippewa Falls area who showed in their first full year in the storied CRBL that they can compete at a very high level.

The Jack’s made the 2021 CRBL playoffs and promptly beat the Eau Claire Cavaliers 3-2 in an instant classic at Casper Park and a game that will be talked about around town by the “old boys” for a long time.  We then lost 10-3 to Tilden in the CRBL Championship game which again was held at Casper Park and was the 12th overall such appearance for the Jack’s which is 2nd all-time in the history of the CRBL.

Also, the Jack’s also made the prestigious WBA (Wisconsin Baseball Association) playoffs at the end of the regular season which was the second year in a row that we accomplished this feat.  Our 24 wins in 2021 rank highly in the history of the Jack’s and it is a fact that we are very proud of.

Of note five LumberJack players received CRBL Awards recognition and they include: Nolan Hutzler (All-CRBL Catcher) Nate Hayes (All-CRBL 1st Baseman) Levi Schaller (All-CRBL Pitcher) Chip Blair (Honorable Mention Designated Hitter) Jake Varsho (CRBL Golden Glove Award)

We would like to thank our 2021-22 sponsors, fans, and support staff and hope that the excitement around our team will continue to grow and others in the community will find their way to Gannon Field this season to cheer on the Jack’s and enjoy the fun activities and events on game day!


The Eau Claire Bears look to continue their success in 2022 following 4 straight state finals appearances. Bears are looking to reley on their long list of veterans this year that will carry their normal success with addition to exciting additions of Austin Lemay, Dane Helnore, Jack Shirpke, Levi Wilson, Vinnie Fonti and many others. Bears are hoping to take a leap from state finalists to 4 time state champions this year. Hope to see you all out there to support your EC Bears this season!

ROSTER: Chevy Tollefson, Todd Lasher, Jim Thill, Blake Johnson, Sam Janni, Ty Fadness, Matt Miller, Alex Jinkins, J.R. Lukes, Nathan Kent, Logan Berg, J.D. Preacher, Jeremy Nicolai, Austin Lemay, Tyler Oestrich, Joel Zachow, Will Mallett-Brown, Levi Wilson, Jack Shirpke, Vinnie Fonti, Joe Halling, Dane Helnore, Zach Lasher


The Eau Claire Cavalier amateur baseball organization returns to the diamond for their 52nd year in the Chippewa Valley. Playing out of beautiful Carson Park, this year’s squad is thrilled to welcome Field Manager Pete Bartingale. With years of experience and a strong base in the Chippewa Valley, Bartingale will be the 10th skipper in the Cavs storied history.

The 2021 edition of the Cavaliers returned to the Chippewa River Baseball League and finished with an 18-2 league record bringing home hardware as the North Division Champions. After competing in their 3rd Wisconsin Baseball Association State Finals, this year’s squad looks to build upon that success and go even further in 2022.

Along with many promotional nights and double headers this season the Cavaliers have the honor of hosting the CRBL All Star Game on Friday, July 1st. This along with a variety of home games will lead to an incredibly exciting year, one that you will not want to miss! We welcome everyone to come enjoy historic Carson Park and watch some of the most family friendly, best quality baseball in the Chippewa Valley this season.


2021 marked the fifth season of play for the Eau Claire Rivermen, a noteworthy milestone for any fledgling amateur baseball franchise. Unfortunately, 2021 also marked the least successful (worst) effort on the diamond for the ‘Men, as the Crew in Navy Blue and Grey staggered to a 7 and 13 record in the CRBL within a dismal 13 and 24 overall showing. At one point of ineptitude, the Rivermen gang lost 12 games in a row and 19 out of 21………yikes.

There were, however, several bright spots amidst the 2021 darkness. Specifically, CRBL legend Tyler Gray captured his sixth All-CRBL award, with the nod coming as a utility player for his standout performances as both a pitcher and hitter. Additionally, James Davis was given his first Honorable Mention All-CRBL award for his congruent work as a utility player for the Rivermen. Also of note, Sawyer Sturz was recognized with a CRBL Gold Glove trophy for his play at shortstop in what was the inaugural year of the CRBL recognizing it’s best defenders.

Alas, hope always springs eternal when a new season begins. With the addition of several promising new players to compliment the established core of grizzled veterans, the Men of the River are looking forward to quickly reversing their baseball fortunes in 2022.

Regardless of the final results, the Eau Claire Rivermen are proud to be part of the storied Chippewa River Baseball League. We look forward to seeing you at Fairfax Field, our plush home park with ample seating and convenient parking.


The Jim Falls Sturgeons enter 2022 with an ever-maturing core of young veterans (and a couple of old ones), bolstered by a smattering of fresh hopefuls. The team bases its hope for improving on a 5-15 record on a deep pitching staff and an expected rebound from some hitters who fell off from previous production in ’21.

Ryan Krumenauer certainly did not fall off as he led the way offensively, batting .377 with a .410 slugging percentage, leading the team in hits at 23-61, tying for the lead in Runs and RBI with 8 each, and flashing a web gem worthy infield glove. Tristin Hable cruised to .300 at 12-40 while slugging .425, and Nick Pitsch stroked .333 in limited action. Wyatt Keyeski led the team in On Base Percentage at .444. The Sturgeons also stepped up their long ball action, getting dingers from Hable, Austin Sykora, Bob Maurer, and Jake Eslinger.

On the mound, Manager Pete Thaler led in ERA at 4.46 with 24 Ks in 40.1 innings. Meanwhile, Isaac Lindstrom struck out 30 in 31.2 innings. Each of them picked up 2 wins, with Dylan Waters securing the fifth.

Two highlights of the 2021 season were the dedications of the new dugouts at Grudem Field in honor of erstwhile stars and CRBL Hall-of-Famers Roger Bergeron and Dave Hepfler. The team and everyone involved want to thank Joe Luther who conceived of and oversaw the production of the dugouts as his Eagle Scout project. Look for more heroes from Jim Falls’ past to be recognized this year and in the years to come.

The Sturgeons invite you to partake of the pleasures of the ballpark in ‘22. Their fervent hope is that after the Covid-altering trials of the last two seasons, maybe only catchers and umpires will need to wear masks this time around.


2021 was another successful season for the Merchants. The boys won the CRBL South division, and advanced to the state finals for an unprecedented 6th straight year. Luke Eide was a beast on the mound being named league MVP and winning the pitching triple crown. There is reason to be optimistic with a few new faces joining the squad this season to bolster a veteran roster.

This season also brings a first as Josh Anderson is being inducted into the CRBL hall of fame. It is fitting that Josh is the first from this crew to get the call. I’m sure he won’t be the last. As always, I’d like to thank the businesses and fans in Osseo for their continued support. The best fans in the state. #WWMD


After a deep WBA Playoff and State Tournament run, the Tilden Tigers are set to reload for the 2022 season. The 2021 CRBL Champions are looking to repeat in the newly formatted league and are excited to get back to a more traditional schedule.

The Tigers will retain all of their key veteran players from 2021. The All-Star and All-CRBL outfield combination of Cole Zwiefelhofer, Jon Schoch and Nolan Baier will be returning, fresh off of a combined .405 batting average and league leading 83 RBIs in 2021.

The brotherly quartet of Drew Steinmetz, Jordan Steinmetz, Lucas Steinmetz and Ben Steinmetz will also be returning to elevate several key position groups and serve as the table setters in the Tilden lineup. Their versatility and knowledge of the game will be on full display this year.

Cornerstone infielder Alex Ruf will be returning to round out the lineup. Ruf brings a must needed coaching mentality to the clubhouse, along with his speed and solid defense.

Atop the pitching rotation are perennial All-Stars PJ Lequia and Carl Krumenauer. The starting combo had a sub 3.00 ERA last season. They will be joined by battery mate Dane Weiland, who will call the shots behind home plate.

The Tilden Tigers would like to thank all of our sponsors and forever loyal fan base. We look forward to seeing everyone out at Casper Park this season and being a part of this historic franchise and league.

2022 League Preview

Baseball greetings to all of our fans, followers, alumni, and friends. It is with sincerity that we would like to welcome you to another year of competitive amateur baseball within the storied Chippewa River Baseball League. Incredibly, 2022 marks the 94th season of play over 114 years, dating back to the CRBL’s first season of play in 1908. Very few baseball leagues across the USA – amateur or professional – can substantiate such an existence of length and success. Plainly stated, this is something that anyone associated with the CRBL should take great pride in.

2021 saw the full-fledge return of the Chippewa River Baseball League after the regrettable “Lost Season of 2020”. Playing entirely doubleheaders for the first time since the early 1980s, the CRBL was able to enjoy a full, 20-game slate for all eleven of its member teams.

Emerging from the four-month fracas to be crowned league champion was the Tilden Tigers, as they beat their North Division rival the Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks, 10-3 at Casper Park on August 8th. The championship was the league record 18th for Tilden, unequivocally the flagship franchise of the CRBL.

The Tigers continued their hot play the following weekend in the 73rd annual WBA Tournament. Of the seven CRBL squads that qualified for the WBA’s new “pool play” (minimum two game) format, Tilden was the only one to survive to the WBA Finals before losing to the Spooner Cardinals in the semis.

Looking ahead to 2022, the CRBL will be operating without divisions for the first time since 1972. With the departure of the Whitehall Wolves from the league’s landscape as well as the recent losses of Augusta, Hallie and Stanley, the CRBL managers voted to do away with the traditional North and South divisions and instead compete in one division.