League: Chippewa River Baseball League

Primary League

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

The Whitehall Whitetails had a humble start to their inaugural 2025 season, finishing .500 in the CRBL regular-season play with a record of 10–10. However, the entire team was firing on all cylinders during the WBA Playoffs, representing the CRBL as the 2025 Wisconsin Baseball Association Class B State Champions.

The Whitetails’ offense was fueled by Devon McCune and Conner Weltzien, who consistently set the tone at the plate. On the mound, a deep and reliable pitching staff—including Tyler Webb, Brandon Sylla, Tavion Schramek, Chris Killian and Braydon Lisowski—kept opponents off balance and gave the Whitetails the edge when they needed it most.

As the 2026 season approaches, the Whitetails return a deep and experienced roster, including: Alex Sartor, Brandon Sylla, Braydon Lisowski, Brock Sluga, Bryce Schorbahn, Chris Killian, Conner Weltzien, Devon McCune, Jake Bjerke, Kyle Steien, Mason Pientok, Sam Killian, Tavion Schramek, and Tyler Webb. They will also be adding a few new faces, including Logan Scow of Arcadia.

The Whitetails would like to thank their generous sponsors and volunteers, as well as their amazing fans, as they look forward to another successful season.

Sponsors

Melby Park – Whitehall, WI

Whitehall Whitetails 2026 Season Schedule

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