League: Chippewa River Baseball League

Primary League

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

Whitehall Whitetails

CRBL Baseball is returning to Whitehall!

The Whitehall Whitetails are excited about beginning their inaugural season. The Whitetails will play in the South Division of the Chippewa River Baseball League, taking a spot once occupied by the Whitehall Wolves. Our area is rich with baseball tradition, as evidenced by the success of the Wolves, CRBL Champs in 2012, 2013 & 2015.

The team will consist of players predominantly from Arcadia, Blair-Taylor, Eleva-Strum, Independence-Gilmanton and Whitehall. A roster will be finalized soon. Pete Bartingale will serve as our Field Manager. Chad McCune will be the team’s General Manager. Chad played in the league with Beef-River and Osseo.

Be sure to friend our Facebook Page for news and updates. Beautiful Melby Park, located in the heart of Whitehall will serve as our home field. We hope to see you there for a fun Summer of Whitehall Whitetails Baseball

ROSTER: Jake Bjerke, Vince Braun, Keegan Catts, Keegan Dewyre , Carter Gunderson , Chris Killian , Sam Killian , Braydon Lisowski , Devon McCune , Isaac Pape , Mason Pientok , Bryce Schorbahn , Jackson Shramek , Tavian Shramek , Isaac Skoyen , Brock Sluga , Aidan Sonsalla , Kyle Steien , Brandon Sylla , Joe Walgren , Tyler Webb , Colin Weltzien , Connor Weltzien , Parker Windjue

SPONSORS

Melby Park – Whitehall, WI

Whitehall Whitetails 2025 Season Schedule

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