The Augusta Athletics are gearing up for the 2024 season after bringing the team back to the CRBL in 2023. In their first season back, the Athletics were competitive and the team built a solid fan base and family-friendly entertainment option during the summer months. Additionally, teams were highly complimentary about the improvements and renovations at Jan Krueger Memorial Field.
With spring training set to start very soon, the Athletics look poised to improve in 2024. The team has brought in several new players to complement returning stars like infielder Jacob Rosemeyer, pitcher JJ Breaker, outfielder Brice Shimon and outfielder Logan Brown. “We learned a lot in our first season, and now have higher expectations,” said manager Duane Ives. “Our young core group of players gained valuable experience which I think will translate to
even better performance on the field this year and a spot in the WBA tournament.”
THANK YOU to our growing list of sponsors and supporters, we’re extremely grateful for all the support we received last year and already this year. Come out and join us from some A’s baseball at the newly renovated Jan Krueger Memorial Field!
Let’s Play Ball!
ROSTER: Alec Lyle, Ashton Oliver, Nolan Taylor, Brice Shimon, Logan Brown, Duane Ives, James Javanovich, Brody Seefeldt, Cody Breaker, Brennan King, Cole Stensen, Byron King, Cashton Leslin, Ryan Grunewald, Aiden Rosemeyer, JJ Breaker, Tristan Erdman, Nick Tumaniac, Noah Gillingham, Jakob Rosemeyer
Managers: Duane Ives & Byron King
Get ready to cheer on the Beef River Bullfrogs this season! Keep an eye out for the versatile utility player, Will Thibodeau, returning all star and all league honorable mention who dominates all positions on the field. The Bullfrogs are fortunate to have returning veteran pitchers Ethan Bartels, Wes Boyarski, and Tim Anderson, bringing their experience and skill to the mound. Another veteran and player with multiple all star game appearances to watch is Ryan Gray shoring up the core of the lineup in the DH position. As manager Taylor Rathke enters his second year of leading the team, a new generation of young players like Colin Boyarski , Gio Basile, and others are stepping up to embrace leadership roles. With a positive outlook and an abundance of fresh talent, the Bullfrogs are primed for great season!
ROSTER: Tim Anderson, Austin Baker, Ethan Bartels, Thade Breuer, Mason Bauer, Preston Benedict, Derek Bills, Wesley Boyarski, Colin Boyarski, Tyler Brantner, Parker Coach, Dylan Fox, Ryan Gray, Brandon Jaenke, Carter Johnson, Mason Kostka, Reece Lucas, Kyle Maug, Ethan Maug, Taylor Rathke, Storm Standiford, Will Seymour, Will Thibodeau, Tanner Marsh, Brecken Boixvert, Chase Williams, Ryan Williams, Jesse VenRooy, Hank Munson, George Munson, Wyatt Thompson
MANAGER: Taylor Rathke, Ethan Bartels
The Bloomer Woodticks are waiting patiently and eagerly for the 2024 season. Coming off a bounceback year from 2022, the Woodticks look to replicate some of the success they showed in 2023. Having a competitive 2023 season and taking some big games led to a playoff appearance in the WBA, which they look to once again achieve.
The Woodticks have many returning players and a couple of new faces like Connor Crane, Truman Lokken, Cole Hansen, and Patrick Callaghan. Accompanied by veterans such as Curtis Dachel, Corey Poirier, Matt Schley, Brent Sarauer, and Sean Hurt.
The Bloomer Woodticks would like to thank every fan, supporter, and sponsor for 2024 and hope to have a successful year!
Play Ball!
ROSTER: Brent Sarauer, Carter Rubenzer, Cole Hansen, Cole Schwab, Connor Hicks, Collin Crane, Connor Crane, Corey Poirier, Curtis Dachel, Erik Abrahamson, Ethan Rothbauer, Jamison Flatland, Jackson Simmons, Jay Ryder, Joe Wallgren, Jeremiah Campbell, Jake Malinowski, Kade Anderson, Keegan Yohnk, Leif Iverson, Matt Schley, Marcus Harselstad, Patrick Callaghan, Sean Hurt, Truman Lokken, Thomas Stoffel
The 2023 Red Sox brought baseball excitement back to Cadott. The team came together to finish 10-10 in the CRBL (19-12 overall) and make the WBA Playoffs for the first time since 1985! The Sox finished 1-1 in WBA play losing to the River Falls Fighting Fish and beating the Glidden Orioles.
The 2024 Sox will look to build on what they accomplished last season. Fifteen players return from last year’s squad. They were also able to add four or five new faces to fill out their roster.
Pitching was a strength last season for the Red Sox. Rookie of the Year Henry Wilkinson will once again anchor the rotation. The big righty went 6-1 with a 1.77 ERA and had 63 strikeouts. Allstar Zack Thiesse, who led the team in innings pitched (56 1/3) is poised to be busy again. Second year lefty Warren Bowe and rookie Chase Watkins should be key contributors as well.
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On the offensive side of the ball the Sox will be led by allstar Jonah Hanson (.333 avg, 6 2bs, 14 rbis). Hanson solidfied the catcher position for the Cadott in 2023. Allstar and All CRBL Honrable Mention Cole Bakkum (.345 avg, 4 2bs, 13 rbis) will play third base, outfield, and toss a few innings for the Sox. Ely Johnson ( .307 avg 4 HRs, 16 rbis) looks to roam the outfield and continue his power surge in ’24. Two time allstar Chad Kron (14 runs, 9 sbs), Logan Burzynski (.416 avg 15 hits), and Jack Kein (.333 avg) will all be key contributors as well.
The Red Sox would like to thank their outstanding sponsors and fans. The support that you give this team is amazing! We hope to see you at the field this season. GO SOX!
ROSTER: Cole Bakkum, Bennett Bowe, Warren Bowe, Logan Burzynski, Luke Erickson, Sam Feck, Austin Goettl, Jonah Hanson, Carter Hesselman, Gio Basile, Ely Johnson, Jack Kein, Chad Kron, Parker Lemanski, Zac Merritt, Jalen Pascal, Jack Redwine, Alex Schmidt, Shawn Sedlacek, Zack Thiesse, Chase Watkins, Henry Wilkinson, Connor Roth
MANAGER: Rick Danielson
The 2024 version of the Chippewa Falls LumberJacks will be looking to continue their successful and rich tradition in the CRBL and Amatuer Baseball with a mix of returning veterans and a number of new additions. Wayne Franz the Organizer and former Manager will be moving to the “Front Office” and Nolan Hutzler will be taking over on the field as our Manager. In the past four years the Jacks have participated in two CRBL Play-Offs including a runner-up finish in 2021, four straight WBA appearances and have an overall record of 72-43.
The Jacks finished the 2023 CRBL Season with a 9-11 record with a number of those losses being in heart-breaking fashion as the ball didn’t always bounce our way during the highly competitive schedule that the CRBL brings each week. Our number one goal in 2024 is to get back in the CRBL Playoff mix and hopefully tack on a title and then turn our sights on making a run in the WBA playoffs. There were many team and individual highlights in 2023 and this included hosting a very successful CRBL All-Star Game at Casper Park which saw a large attendance and a great game which was won 6-4 by the South. Appearing in the game for LumberJacks were starters Nolan Hutzler (SS) and Matt Martineau (2nd) as well as Dylan Waters, Dawson Rice, Caleb Gardow, Dawson Mathwig, and Trevor Franz as substitutes. All of them made significant contributions during the game for the North.
Four LumberJacks were honored at the end of the CRBL Season with league awards and they included All League players Nolan Hutzler (SS) and Jack Bowe (OF) along with Jake Varsho (Honorable Mention 2nd Base) and Trevor Franz (Gold Glove). The Chippewa Falls LumberJacks would like to thank all of our sponsors, fans, media, and support staff for all of their efforts in keeping Amateur Baseball alive and well in Chippewa Falls. Our 2024 season looks to be an exciting one and the expectations are high so come on out to historic Gannon Field/Casper Park to watch us in action. Roll Jacks!
ROSTER: Preston Alger, Cole Bowe, Jack Bowe, Jack Brown, Luke Franz, Trevor Franz, Grady Fredrick, Riley Freid, Caleb Gardow, Mitch Howard, Ryan Krumenauer, Tyson Lucas, Carson Martin, Matt Martineau, Dawson Mathwig, Alex Nelson, Dawson Rice, Christian Schaller, Levi Schaller, Griffin Spindler, Roman Trapani, Blake Trippler, CJ Varsho, Jake Varsho, Dylan Waters
The Eau Claire Bears enter the 2024 season looking to continue their long time success in CRBL and WBA play. The biggest change for the Bears this year will be at the manager position as Chevy Tollefson hands the reins over to Blake Johnson. Johnson will look to continue the winning tradition that Tollefson and past managers have provided for years. The veteran-led Bears will be returning All League pitcher Quintin Gonzalez, and honorable mention recipient Joe Halling. The Bears will also be returning the likes of Nate Kent, Chevy Tollefson, Todd Lasher, and Jim Thill. The Bears are looking forward to another great summer of baseball.
ROSTER: Blake Johnson, Chevy Tollefson, Todd Lasher, Quintin Gonzalez, Ryan Flock, Josh Halling, Hunter Guenther, Grant Preston, Tyler Oestreich, Joe Halling, Nate Kent, Jack Sandvick, Tyler Plitzner, Aaron Skrypek, Cody Urban, Vinny Fonti, Mitch Bendickson, J.R. Lukes, Jim Thill, Wes Fleischer, Chris Budd, Alex Jinkins
COACH: Dave Strauch
The Eau Claire Cavaliers is an amateur baseball organization that started in in 1971. The 2024 baseball season will see the Eau Claire Cavaliers starting their 7th season as members of the Chippewa River Baseball League.
The 2023 baseball season saw the Cavaliers qualify for the WBA playoffs at the Ellsworth regionals. We started the playoffs by playing the Iron City Miners and won 11-1. The next day we played the Whittlesey Reds and won 4-3. We qualified for the WBA State Tournament held in Eau Claire, WI. We played the River Falls Fighting Fish lost 0-10 and lost to the Everest Merchants 8-6
CRBL award winners were Caden Erickson CRBL second basemen, Lucas Costley CRBL Pitcher, Cooper Kapanke honorable mention and Xavier Bembnister golden glove.
The Cavaliers would like to wish all of the teams of the Chippewa River Baseball League the best of luck in the league in 2024. We invite all baseball fans to come to Carson Park for baseball action at its best this summer.
ROSTER: Andrew Milner, Tyson Allen-Woodcock, Xavier Bembnister, Gabe O’Brien, Jaxon Vance, Josh Garcia, Lucas Costley, Caden Erickson, Cole Tyman, Conor O’Reilly, Sam Knickerbocker, Kaden Russo, Carson Windeshausen, Laidel Torres, Cooper Dykes, Jake Fischer, Jerome Delikowski, Cody Dayton, Dalton Steele, Eli Rathke, Logan Hesselman and Brayton Thilllman.
ASST COACHES: Brian Myhre, Ryan Page
Proudly stated, 2024 will stand as the 8th season of play for the Eau Claire Rivermen in the historical Chippewa River Baseball League.
The 2023 campaign was the most successful campaign to date for the Rivermen franchise. With a 12 and 8 mark out of the South Division and an 18 and 15 overall record, the ‘Men set franchise season records for CRBL winning percentage (.600) and overall wins (18), all while remaining in the CRBL playoff hunt to the final pitch of their last league game vs. the Eau Claire Cavaliers. It should be noted that the Rivermen’s winning year was propelled by four extra-inning wins in the CRBL, three of which they trailed going into their last at-bat only to emerge victorious.
2023 CRBL award winners for the Crew in Navy Blue and Grey included centerfielder and speed mercheen Lance Lettner winning his second consecutive CRBL Gold Glove Award, as well as slugging first baseman Blake Loegering garnering his first All-CRBL Honorable Mention Award. Congrats to both on being recognized for their big seasons and the impactful contributions they made to the Rivermen’s memorable year.
Alas, with a new season comes new challenges and new opportunities, as the process of building a competitive roster never stops. With the return of 6 to 7 starters and the addition of several talented players from Eau Claire area, the Men of the River are excited to take the diamond in 2024.
Regardless of wins and losses, 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.
ROSTER: Nathan Ash, Jake Becker, Alan Champion, James Davis, Joe Davis, Wyatt Draves, Joel Effertz, Tyler Gray, Brett Jensen, Jake Lawrence, Lance Lettner, Blake Loegering, Jonah Mueller, Andy Niese, Carson Soukup, Sawyer Sturz, Jesse Urbanek, Luke Rooney
MANAGER: Andy Niese
After a breakthrough 2022 season, the Sturgeons took a step back in ’23 but still made the WBA tournament for the second consecutive year. One setback was the loss for most of the season of 2022 pitching ace and CRBL Rookie of the Year Will Jacobson. His stint on the DL did open the door for the emergence of AJ Schemenauer whose breakout year led to a 4.36 ERA over 41.1 innings. With Jacobson, who returned late to hurl 21.2 innings at a 3.74 clip, Jim Falls has a solid one two punch at the top of the rotation with several others waiting to show their stuff.
The Sturgeons also bring back some offense after finishing third in the league in team average at .306. Led by All-CRBL catcher Bobby Soran (.469, 3 HR, 13 RBI), the team backed him up with strong seasons by Honorable Mention winner Schemenauer (.400, 2 HR, 7 2B, 18 RBI), and Tristin Hable (.313, 1 HR, 12 RBI, 21 R). Jake Eslinger earned his first all-star appearance with a .271 average and 10 RBI. Meanwhile, all-star Bob Maurer and Mason Tester flirted with .300. Although the team loses some top players to the transfer portal and the ever-present job market, hopes are that the farm system will continue to produce–watch for new names among 2024 stars.
Excitement continues to grow in the Sturgeons’ pond over the coming of the CRBL All-Star Game to Sturgeon Stadium at Grudem Field this July 7. As plans go forward for expanded seating, parking, and all manner of creature comforts, the team and its fans anticipate a great celebration of hometown baseball.
Finally, the Sturgeons mourn the passing of two stalwarts from the ’60s who also faithfully led squads in Old Timers’ games over the years: Dick Hinke and Albert “Albie J” Witkus. So long, old friends.
ROSTER: Joe Blum, Tristin Hable, Nick Pitsch, Trevor Bowe, Will Jacobson, AJ Schemenauer, Liam Brennem, Raven Keyeski, Bryce Sykora, Evan Dennis, Wyatt Keyeski, Beau Snyder, Caleb Elkins, Isaac Lindstrom Bobby Soran, Jake Eslinger, Bob Maurer, Austin Sykora, Jackson Gugel, Curtis Neskar, Mason Tester
MANAGER: Pete Thaler
The 2024 Merchants are looking to build upon last year’s CRBL championship and WBA tournament. The 2024 team remains mostly unchanged, with veterans Ryan Freitag, Jesse Brockman, Luke Eide, and Joe Zawacki coming back for another campaign.
We would like to thank all of our dedicated fans and community members for the countless volunteer hours, donations, and support over the years.
*Fireworks night will be Wednesday, June 26th @ Merchants Park. Hope to see you all there!
ROSTER: Trent Vondrasek , Ryan Freitag, Tanner Marsh, Brady Johnson, Aaron Hagberg, Jaxon Kostka, Todd Wienkes, Scott Hovell , Joe Zawacki, Logan Boettcher , Jesse Brockman, Alex Byom, Zac Iverson , Luke Eide, Brandt Freitag, Devon McCune, Nolan Matson, Logan Matson , Neil Matson, Gabe Richardson, Jarrod Shower, Brayden Lisowski
MANAGER: Aaron Hagberg
Incredible!!! One word that describes our 2023 season. To be crowned WBA State Champions and bring the title back to Tilden and the CRBL is as rewarding as it gets. We want to first and foremost thank our dedicated fans for all their support throughout the year. We have been a very successful franchise since Day 1, and it all piggy backs off the support that we get year in and year out. To our local sponsors, you are the real MVP’s. As we all know, there are quite a few essentials to make a season happen with the cost of equipment, field rentals, umpires, concession costs, the list goes on and on. Without the local community, none of this would be possible.
We are very optimistic and excited to get the 2024 season under way. We would like to give a special shout out to a couple of longtime Tilden Tigers who have decided to ride off into the sunset.
First and foremost, Alex Ruf (2015-2023). Alex started off his CRBL career playing for the Jim Falls Sturgeons (2012-2014). After some coaxing and a WBA call up offer to play with us in Haugen one year, he was sold on the history and was ready to make a move to the Tilden Tigers. Alex was a lock down 2nd basemen and was one of the fastest guys the league has seen in years. Alex finishes his career at the top of the CRBL for career stolen bases. He was a huge asset on the managerial side of things. He was always willing to put his coaching input in and help make game time decisions. As years progressed, he never skipped a beat to help raise money, clean and stock concession stands, get the field ready for games, and take over any task that was needed. Alex’s most memorable moment as a Tiger was his go ahead home run in Whitehall against Scott Hovell, which ended up being his 2nd HR of the day. This helped the Tigers sweep the Wolves for the first time in many years. We cannot thank him enough for all that he has done for this franchise and wish him nothing but the best.
Second player that we would like to recognize is Carl Krumenauer (2017-2023). Carl was an asset to our franchise the second he graduated high school. You could find Carl mostly on the mound in a lot of our key matchups. Carl pitched in multiple regional tournament games as well as multiple state tournament games. He was a key factor in helping us advance every year. When it came to being a teammate, there weren’t many that were better. Even in games he did not pitch or play, you would find him coaching first base and making sure that he was always ready. Carl’s most memorable game as a Tigers was pitching in a state semifinal game and getting the win against a stacked Viroqua team a few years back. Carl is going to be truly missed and we wish him nothing but the best for his future endeavors with his family.
With that being said, we would like to give you a little sneak peek into the 2024 season. A majority of our team will be returning from last years State Championship team. Our lineup and pitching rotation will be the backbone to our team. Averaging a whopping 9.5 Runs/Game with a team ERA of 2.26, we will look to keep pace with these in the upcoming season.
The CRBL League MVP Tanner Halvorson will be back and ready for another shot at defending that title. He ended the season with a .532 Avg, 22 singles, 13 doubles, and 6 homeruns, added 40 RBIs, with an OPS of 1.520. Not only could he hit, he had some pretty stellar pitching numbers as well. In just 34IP, he struck out 40 guys while allowing 0 ER all year.
PJ Lequia will look to defend his title as the CRBL Utility man. PJ worked his tail off in the offseason in the cage and it sure paid off. With a season ending .484 Avg and a homerun to his name, he will be ready to swing the stick in the upcoming season. On top of hitting, we have another 2-way guy as PJ has been our bonified ace from the beginning. We are all excited to see what this season brings from him.
Our unsung hero and kid that would not like any recognition will be back and ready to defend the title, Jordan Steinmetz. I think it goes without a doubt that he is one of the hardest outs to get in the state. We are extremely excited to have him back with the boys and get the season under way.
Jon Schoch and Cole Zwiefelhofer will round out the crew of Veterans that every team needs. We will rely heavily on their knowledge of the game, as well as their physical attributes that we all know each of them will bring game in and game out.
We hope you all are just as excited as we are for the upcoming season. Once again, our home games will be played at Casper Park, in Chippewa Falls, WI. Here is to a safe and successful season. We look forward to enjoying a few “sodas” with you all shortly. Go Tigers!!!!!
Eau Claire Rivermen