Category: 2026 Season

All-League Selected by CRBL Skippers

The Chippewa River Baseball League (CRBL) managers have voted and selected the 2026 all-league awards.

PositionPlayerTeam
OFLogan BurzynskiCadott Red Sox
OFJack RedwineCadott Red Sox
OFNolan MatsonOsseo Merchants
3BTyler PlitznerEau Claire Bears
SSCaden EricksonEau Claire Cavaliers
2BJack KeinCadott Red Sox
1BJacob LaceyTilden Tigers
CSam KnickerbockerEau Claire Cavaliers
UTAdam KrajewskiTilden Tigers
DHRyan FreitagOsseo Merchants
PJackson GugelJim Falls Sturgeons
PAndrew MilnerEau Claire Cavalier
PPJ LeQuiaTilden Tigers
  • Kein, Freitag and Milner were unanimous selections.
  • Freitag has now been selected to all-league four years in a row.
  • Knickerbocker, Freitag and Matson are repeat winners.
  • The all-time leader in All-CRBL awards is Andy Niese with 13.

Honorable Mention All-CRBL

TeamPlayerPosition
Augusta AthleticsBrennan KingUT
Beef River BullfrogsLucas Johnson3B
Bloomer WoodticksNolan Wysocki1B
Cadott Red SoxJonah HansonC
Chippewa Falls LumberJacksBlake TripplerLF
Eau Claire BearsLaVante BeanRF
Eau Claire CavaliersXavier Bembnister3B
Jim Falls SturgeonsBob SoranC
Osseo MerchantsAlex ByomUT
Tilden TigersNolan Baier3B
Whitehall WhitetailsChris Killian UT

Gold Glove Awards

TeamPlayerPosition
Augusta AthleticsJohn MarakC
Beef River BullfrogsBrendan McCabeC
Bloomer WoodticksConnor HicksC
Cadott Red SoxJack Kein2B
Chippewa Falls LumberJacksJake Nelson3B
Eau Claire BearsLance LettnerLF
Eau Claire CavaliersLogan Hesselman1B
Jim Falls SturgeonsMayson TesterSS
Osseo MerchantsJordan HauserC
Tilden TigersJack GormanC
Whitehall WhitetailsConnor Weltzien1B

Other CRBL Awards

AwardPlayerTeam
Rookie of the YearMason BruesewitzEau Claire Bears
MVPSam KnickerbockerEau Claire Cavaliers
Jim Hoepner – Pitcher of the YearJackson GugelJim Falls Sturgeons
Jan Krueger – Manager of the YearPete ThalerJim Falls Sturgeons
Sportsmanship AwardAugusta Athletics

CRBL All-Stars Selected for July 3rd Game

The Chippewa River Baseball League (CRBL) managers have selected the 2026 North and South All-Star teams. The CRBL All-Star game will be hosted by the Augusta Athletics on Friday, July 3rd at Jan Krueger Memorial Field at 7:00 pm. The 2026 Hall of Fame Class will be inducted during the game.

The Chippewa Falls LumberJacks players declined to participate in CRBL All-Star game.

North Roster

Starters
Pitcher – PJ Lequia – Tilden
Catcher – Adam Krajewski – Tilden
1B – Colton Turner – Jim Falls
2B – Jake Lequia – Tilden
SS – Mayson Tester – Jim Falls
3B – Nolan Baier – Tilden
LF –  Logan Burzynski – Cadott
CF – Jordan Steinmetz – Tilden
RF – Jack Redwine – Cadott
EH – Cole Zwiefelhofer – Tilden
DH – Brayden Hagemann – Jim Falls

Reserves
Pitcher – Jackson Gugel – Jim Falls
Pitcher – Brady Johnson – Jim Falls
Pitcher – Jesse Urbanek – Tilden
Pitcher – Zack Thiesse – Cadott
Pitcher – Chase Watkins – Cadott
Catcher – Bobby Soran – Jim Falls
1B – Nolan Wysocki – Bloomer
2B – Jace Cota – Jim Falls
3B – Carter Stelter – Jim Falls
OF – Luke Erickson – Cadott
OF – Jay Ryder – Bloomer
OF – Karson Bowe – Jim Falls
EH – Tony Riley – Cadott
Connor Hicks – Bloomer

South Roster

Starters
Pitcher – Andrew Milner – EC Cavaliers
Catcher – Sam Knickerbocker – EC Cavaliers
1B – Logan Hesselman – EC Cavaliers
2B – Hayden Gustafsen – Augusta
SS – Caden Erickson – EC Cavaliers
3B – Tyler Plitzner – EC Bears
OF – Nolan Matson – Osseo
OF – Trenton Palmer – EC Cavaliers
OF – Chris Killan – Whitehall
EH – Ryan Freitag – Osseo
DH – Ryan Gray – Beef River

Reserves
Pitcher – Cole Stensen – Augusta
Pitcher – Tyler Webb – Whitehall
Pitcher – Tyler Gray – EC Bears
Pitcher – Ty Fjelstad – Beef River
Pitcher – Alex Byom – Osseo
Catcher – Jordan Hauser – Osseo
1B – JJ Breaker – Augusta
2B – Hayden Gustafsen – Augusta
3B – Lucas Johnson – Beef River
OF – Lance Lettner – EC Bears
OF – Brayton Thillman – EC Cavaliers
OF – Joe Halling – EC Bears
OF – Todd Lasher – EC Bears (Honorary)
EH – Jerome Delikowski – EC Cavaliers
Alex Sartor – Whitehall

Rosters Subject to Change

Season Preview – 2026 Campaign

98th Season of CRBL Baseball

Summer baseball returns to western Wisconsin as the Chippewa River Baseball League (CRBL) gears up for its 98th season—another chapter in one of the state’s longest-running amateur circuits. With a full slate of games, traditional rivalries, and midweek showdowns, 2026 promises the same blend of small-town pride and high-level competition that defines CRBL baseball.

The CRBL season once again stretches from late April into early August, featuring a mix of:

  • Weekend doubleheaders (7-inning games)
  • Midweek night games under the lights
  • A balanced schedule across divisions

Like recent seasons, teams will navigate a packed schedule of over 100 total league games, building toward the postseason in early August.

⭐ Key Dates

  • All-Star Game: July 3rd, 2026 at Jan Krueger Memorial Field. First Pitch at 7:30 pm.
    • Hosted by the Augusta Athletics
  • Wednesday, July 29th – Wildcard Wednesday
  • Saturday, August 1st– Championship Saturday

🏟️ Teams to Watch

The CRBL remains split into competitive divisions featuring a mix of perennial contenders and rebuilding clubs.

🔥 Contenders

  • Osseo Merchants – Consistently among the league’s elite, the Merchants have been a powerhouse with strong regular-season success in recent years.
  • Tilden Tigers – A proven winner with championship pedigree, known for pitching depth and disciplined play.
  • Eau Claire Cavaliers – Dangerous in postseason formats, capable of upsetting top seeds.

👀 Rising & Rebounding Clubs

  • Chippewa Falls LumberJacks – Always competitive and tough at home.
  • Cadott Red Sox – Offensive firepower makes them a threat in any series.
  • Whitehall Whitetails – A newer addition that has quickly found its footing.

🔄 Looking to Climb

  • Augusta Athletics – Hosting the All-Star Game adds excitement; they’ll look to turn that spotlight into momentum.
  • Bloomer Woodticks, Beef River Bullfrogs, and Jim Falls Sturgeons – Each aiming to take a step forward in a deep league.

A Chat with Longtime CRBL’er Luke Anderson

Question: How long have you been associated with the CRBL?

Answer: I have been connected to the CRBL for almost 20 years; Two as a player, 16 years as a manager/GM, and two years as a CRBL board member.

Question: What are your early memories of the CRBL and how did you ever get started in the league?

Answer: I was a fan of the league even before the Merchants organization started up. I grew up playing baseball with my cousin Jeremiah Paulson. We lived one mile apart and got together almost daily to throw the ball around. He would later go on to greatness with Augusta and the Cavaliers.

Question: How well does the Osseo community support the Merchants. 

Answer: After years of planning, a group of local baseball enthusiasts from Osseo started the Merchants. Many businessmen and community members had a hand in starting the team and building our ballpark.

The Osseo community has been there for the organization from day one. They have supported the team in person, and financially. Anybody who has tried to run a team knows you can’t do it alone. I remember the excitement of playing for a team run by Rocky Thompson and Brandt “Dusty” Freitag. They taught the finer points of the game, which helped me when I became the coach. It’s hard to keep players on the roster if they aren’t having fun.

Question: Have you had family members play or manage in the CRBL?

Answer: Yes, my cousin Jeremiah Paulson, a CRBL Hall of Famer.

Question: What are some of your fondness memories of playing or coaching in the league?

Answer: I enjoyed the excitement surrounding the team as we went from a mediocre squad fighting to be playoff eligible to a perennial powerhouse and eventually State Champions in 2018 on our home field.

Question: What are the biggest changes you seen over your tenure as a player, coach and now a board member of the league?

Answer: I have seen the league evolve over the years. In the early 2000’s the change was made to wooden bats, and the games were impacted immediately. Scoring came down. Pitching and defense became more important. No more 20-15 games.  An improvement in my opinion. There is a lot more player movement now than there used to be. Not necessarily a bad thing. Teams struggle to find enough eligible players to fill out their roster, and the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

The past 10 years have shown this league is one of the best in the state. I don’t see that changing.

Question: How do you see the CRBL moving in the future?

Answer: I think moving forward the CRBL will be in good shape as long as young men don’t lose their love for baseball, and guys continue to spend their summers donating their time to this game.

2026 CRBL Schedule Released

The Chippewa Rivers Baseball League (CRBL) has revealed the 2026 season schedule. Five teams will compete in the North Division and six teams will compete in the South Division. The 110-game season will see each CRBL team play a 20-game schedule starting Sunday, April 26th. The 2026 season will mark the 98th season of league play.

Notable Schedule Dates

  • Sunday, April 26th – Opening Day
  • Friday, July 3rd – CRBL All-Star Game hosted by the Augusta Athletics at Jan Krueger Memorial Field, 7:30 pm (Hall of Fame Classes of 2026 to be honored)
  • Wednesday, July 29th – Wildcard Wednesday
  • Saturday, August 1st– Championship Saturday

All weekday games begin at 7 pm (unless otherwise noted). All weekend games begin at 12:30 pm (unless otherwise noted). Follow www.crblbaseball.com all season long for scores, standings and schedule changes.

Each teams individual 2026 schedule can be found at their team page:

NOTE: Schedule Subject to Change

2026 Hall of Fame Class Announced

The CRBL Hall of Fame committee has selected the 2026 class. Five will be honored at the 2026 CRBL All-Star game, hosted by the Augusta Athletics. Date and time still to be determined.

The 2026 class is listed below. Biographies of each player to be completed by league VP Keith Pitsch.

  • Mike Gilbertson
  • Duane Ives (Current Augusta Athletics Manager)
  • Matt Korger
  • Scott Sorenson
  • Denny Whiteside