League: Chippewa River Baseball League

Primary League

Andrew Ruf

Pitcher

Tilden Tigers 2007-13

Andrew Ruf jumped directly from a stellar high school stint at Chippewa Falls McDonnell to the well-stocked Tilden team of the early century. Although his career was relatively brief, Ruffer made his mark on the CRBL and follows his father, Rick, as a two-generation hall-of-famer.

Andrew played a strong role in Tilden’s success over his seven seasons, leading them to an 83-52 record with championships in 2007 and 2011. Additionally, they made the WBA field six times in that span.

A three time all-star, he was elected an All-CRBL pitcher in 2008 and that 2011 championship season. In 2008, he tied for the league lead in shutouts with two, a feat he duplicated in 2010 and exceeded by hurling three in 2012. His 7-0 effort in 2011 topped the league in both wins and winning percentage.

Despite his short number of years, Ruffer pitched his way onto a number of lifetime lists for the CRBL. At the time of induction, he ranks 47th in strikeouts per innings pitched. He is 37th in wins and 21st in winning percentage. His innings pitched per season rank 23rd. One of his most impressive accomplishments is his standing at 16th in ERA. But unsurprisingly, his proclivity to shut opponents out boosted him to a tie for 12th in that category.

Unfortunately, injuries cut short his days on the mound before he could achieve all the potential that his talents projected, but he will always be remembered in Tiger lore.

2 All CRBL Awards 3 Allstar Games

Note top 50 in ERA, Wins, win percentage Shutouts, K/9inn

Bill Schoch

Pitcher

Cooks Valley Hayshakers 1979-80, Tilden Tigers 1982-88

A true power pitcher, Bill Schoch had the stuff to destroy a hitter’s confidence. When his fastball was at its peak, the unlucky batter needed to start swinging shortly after leaving the on-deck circle to catch up to it.

After a two-year stint with Cooks Valley, Schoch came into his own with the Tigers. During his seven years with Tilden, he helped them to a 77-47 record, three Northern Division crowns, and the 1986 CRBL championship. Bill was the MVP of that title game, hurling a complete ten inning game, giving up five runs (4 earned) while striking out seven.

His 4.84 ERA is a reflection of his days in the heart of the metal bat era, but his dominance is well illustrated by his comparisons as he led the league in strikeouts with 64 in 1982 and 92 in 1983, K/IP (12.36) and shutouts (3) in that ’83 season, and winning percentage in ’84 and ’86 (5-0 and 9-0) with the nine wins leading the league in that category.

A two-time all-star, Schoch earned All-CRBL honors three times: as a pitcher in ’82 and ’86 and as an outfielder in ’85. Yes, he was more than a one-dimensional player. A solid hitter with ample power, he was more than capable of helping himself out at the plate when runs were needed.

But it was on the mound that he ranks among the top 50 in CRBL history at the time of induction. As of 2025, he is tied for 34th in wins, 36th in winning percentage, 36th in decisions, 29th in strikeouts, and 26th in shutouts. He is also 49th in innings pitched, third in innings pitched per season, and 12th in K/IP.

A great all-around player, and (did I mention?) he could bring it.

3 All CRBL Awards, 2 Allstar Games

Note Top 50 Inn, W, Win pct, K

Craig Frenette

Third Base

Chippewa Lumberjacks 1993-95, Lafayette Lakers 1996-98, Stanley Loggers 1999, Tlden Tigers 2000-08

The peripatetic (ie. well-travelled) Frenette lent his bat and solid hot corner play to four different teams over a 16 year journey through the CRBL.

In his first three years he was part of the Lumberjacks success as they snared one Northern Division crown and appeared in the WBA tournament each year. After three more years with the Lakers, he blossomed in his sole season with the Loggers as he gained recognition as the All-CRBL third sacker. His play was a big part of the team’s 13-5 record and a place in the WBA tournament at season’s end.

After seven years with “L” teams, Netter found a home that fit him to a “T.” Holding down the third base hot zone, he became a key component of the Tiger’s 118-43 record during his tenure. His nine years spanned a dominant era for Tilden as they won seven division flags and CRBL pennants in 2002 and 2007. Additionally, they reached the WBAs in each of his seasons, taking runner-up honors once and winning it all in 2004.

Among his personal accomplishments were his capturing of his second All-CRBL third base trophy in 2007. In all, he gleaned five all-star selections to go with his other honors.

Netter’s final numbers show up in several league top-50 categories as he is inducted. Tied for 45th in games played, his 787 at bats rank 49th. He was particularly impressive in power categories, placing 47th in total bases, 46th in slugging percentage, 39th in RBIs, and tied for 24th in home runs

2 All CRBL Awards, 5 Allstar Games

Note top 50 in Games, AB, HR, RBI TB, SLG.

Jerry Dachel

Pitcher / Outfielder

Tilden Tigers 1969-80, 1982

Whether the Tilden Tigers of 1967 through 1978 needed a pitching boost or an injection of power, they knew they could turn to Jerry Dachel.

An imposing figure on the mound, “Lurch” was responsible for numerous knee injuries among hitters due to banging them together in nervous trembling. Sharing the spotlight with his brother Tom, the duo formed an almost unbeatable one-two punch for the Tigers.

Over Jerry’s 12 year career, Tilden compiled a 148-35 regular season record, leading the Northern Division an amazing ten times with an even more amazing eight CRBL championships.

Along the way, the team went to ten WBA tournaments, going to the final four in 1972 and taking second in 1976. Obviously, Jerry was a big part of all these accomplishments.

Over the years, Jerry climbed the ladder on several CRBL pitching lists. Upon induction, his 33-7 record, and .825 clip, land him in 40th place in wins and 5th in winning percentage as of 2025. He ranks among the leaders in ERA (28th), shutouts (tied for 26th), and saves (T-12th).

One of his best seasons was in 1969 when he led the league in wins and winning percentage going 10-1, .909. The next season found him leading the CRBL in ERA, firing a 2.57 mark. As is often the case, statistics don’t always show the full story of his contributions to Tilden’s success over his years, but anyone who played against him can tell you it was no picnic.

When not pitching, Lurch manned the outfield admirably. Ever dangerous at the plate, he led the league in home runs (6), RBIs (24), and runs scored (23) in 1977. That ’77 season saw him being chosen an All-CRBL outfielder. Two years earlier, he earned MVP honors at the league championship game, going 3-5 with a double, a run, and 4 RBI with three of them coming on a home run in the bottom of the 6th that broke a 4-4 tie. Just to make sure, he singled in the final tally in the 8th to ice the game.

Between pitching and hitting, Jerry saw action in four All-Star games. His selection to the CRBL Hall Of Fame is truly well earned.

1 All CRBL Award, 4 All-Star Games

Note Top 50 ERA, W, Win pct, Saves, Shutouts

Jon Gardow

Outfielder

Tilden Tigers 1993-2012

Ask any hitter who tried to test Jon Gardow’s skills as an outfielder, and he will tell you that Jon could really “go get it.”

Over the course of his 20 years (tied for 32nd in CRBL longevity) patrolling Tilden’s outer pasture, Jon ran down countless would be extra base hits, sending batters back to the bench, shaking their heads.

Gardow’s two decades saw his Tigers compile a 256-98 record with 14 Northern Division titles and five CRBL championships. (That’s a lot of winning!) Amazingly, the team made the WBA tournament all 20 years of Jon’s tenure, bringing home a runner-up finish in 2000 and two first place trophies, first in 1995 and then in 2004.

CRBL all-time batting lists are dotted with Gardow’s name and numbers as he is inducted into the Hall. His 249 hits leave him tied for 50th. While tied for 33rd in singles, Jon seemed to have a thing for 32s, ranking in that position with at bats, runs, and seasons played. His 61 stolen bases, not surprising for this fleet-footed outfielder, rank 29th, and he comes in 27th in games played.

A four time all-star, Jon had an outstanding season in 2001when he garnered an outfield spot on the All-CRBL team.

Jon’s steady play and year after year dependability make him a memorable figure in Tilden Tiger history.

1 All CRBL Award, 4 All Star Games

Note Top 50 in Seasons, Games, AB, H, 1B, R, SB, BB

Jeff Zwiefelhofer

1st Basemen

Cooks Val Hayshakers 1977, Tilden Tigers 1979-87

After breaking in with the Hayshakers in 1977, Jeff Zwiefelhofer returned in 1979 for a power-packed nine years with Tilden.

During his years as a Tiger, the team went 105-52, leading the North six times and winning two CRBL championships. It also made the WBA playoffs eight times, finishing as runner-up in 1984. And Jeff was a big part of that success.

A slick fielder at either third or first base, Zwief was chosen All-CRBL at each, first in 1980 (3rd) and then in 1985 (1st). Additionally, he made four all-star games for the North.

But it was Jeff’s power that brought him into the Hall of Fame. One of a handful of hitters who cleared the houses in left field at the old Jim Falls field, Jeff hit similar moonshots at various parks around the league where the reverberations may still be heard. In his best season, 1985, he led the league in homers with seven and RBIs with 23.

He took All-Star Game MVP honors in 1980 on the basis of a 3-4 outing in which he scored one run and drove in four, highlighted be a three-run blast in the fifth inning that tied the game launching the CRBL All-Stars to an 8-6 victory over the St. Paul Merchants.

Upon induction, Jeff’s bat has landed him on several spots in the top 50 in league history. He stands 45th in RBI, 29th in OPS, tied for 24th in HR, 21st in slugging percentage, and tied for fourth in grand slams with three.

2 All CRBL Awards, 4 Allstar Games

Note top 50 in HR, RBI, SLG, OPS

Todd Zwiefelhofer

Pitcher

Tilden Tigers 1990-97

Anyone who ever said, “Pitchers can’t hit,” never saw Todd Zwiefelhofer play. His prowess in both aspects of the game helped Tilden to six Northern Division titles and three CRBL championships (1991, 94, and 97) over his 8-year career.

While compiling a100-29 record, the team reached the WBA playoffs in each of his years, earning runner-up status in 1990 while taking the state tourney in 1995.

Zwiefelhofer’s official statistics stand as testament to his overall excellence. Finishing with a sterling .313 batting average, he could also flash power as illustrated by his 11 home runs.

Still, while his bat remained a threat whenever he strode to the plate, it was his mound work that elevates him to Hall-of-Fame status.

His arm propelled him to five all-star appearances, and he was an All-CRBL pitcher in 1996, a year in which he led the league in wins and winning percentage with a 6-0 record. He also led in percentage in1993 with an identical 6-0. His two shutouts in 1992 topped the league. He added a no-hitter to his resume in 1997.

One telling statistic is his lifetime .844 winning percentage that held the top spot in the league for 27 years before being eclipsed in 2024.

As impressive as his league numbers were, Todd really dazzled in the post-season. He twice earned MVP honors in the CRBL championship games. In 1994, he tossed a 9-inning complete game, giving up one earned run while going 2-4 with a home run. In 1997, he again went all nine, yielding two earned runs with nine strikeouts.

Zwiefelhofer was named the outstanding pitcher in the 1985 WBA tourney where he outdueled legendary hurler Tony Garner in a 2-1 victory.

And, just for good measure, he spent some time with the independent pro Dakota Rattlers.

5 Allstar Games

Note CRBL Championship MVP 1994 (9inn, 1 er, 3h 2 k) beat Augusta 9-1 (2-4 solo HR)

CRBL Championship MVP 1997 (9 inn, 2 er, 9 h, 9 k) beat Augusta 16-2

Won Outstanding Pitcher in WBA in 1995