League: Chippewa River Baseball League

Primary League

Bracket Orioles

  • Years in League – 1959-’60
  • 2 Seasons
  • All-Time Record 7-17 (.292)

Foster

  • Years in League – 1954-’58
  • 5 Seasons
  • All-Time Record 17-40 (.298)

Howard Braves

  • Years in League – 1961-’68
  • 8 Seasons
  • All-Time Record 56-46 (.549)

Bloomer Merchants

  • Years in League – 1979-1992
  • 14 Seasons
  • All-Time Record 93-146 (.389)

Hans Lyberg

Infielder

Lafayette Indians 1985; Hallie Eagles 1986-99

Described by his peers as “your best teammate’s best teammate”, Hans Lyberg was the consummate amateur baseball player – versatile and sure-handed on defense, consistent and clutch with the bat, all while being a dedicated and respected competitor for his team.

Breaking in to the CRBL in 1985, Lyberg hit .316 (12 for 38) for the South Division champion Lafayette Indians. When he became a Hallie Eagle in 1986, Hans again hit above .300 (.309, 25 for 81), marking the second of 12 seasons (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998) in which he hit north of .300. His career high ledger occurred in 1997 when he topped .400 for the Eagles (.404, 21 for 52).

A cornerstone of Hallie’s formidable teams of the 1980s and 1990s, Hans and the Eagles soared to play in eight WBA tournaments (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998) and survived to the Final 8 three times (1986, 1988, 1995). Within that era of success, the Eagles captured the CRBL title in 1996, vanquishing the mighty Tilden Tigers 11 to 7 at Hallie’s own Sippel Field.

A right-handed bat, Hans regularly hit from the lead-off spot or the two hole, leading the league in runs scored with 25 in 1991. Performing to the responsibilities of that role, Lyberg would have ten seasons of effectively drawing 10 or more walks with a career high of 18 in 1992 and 1997. In another nod to his consistency, the Eagle rapped 20 hits in six seasons (1986, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998) and had 10 RBI’s in eight campaigns (1986, 1987, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998).

An All-CRBL pick at utility in 1994, the sure-handed defender was also named Honorable Mention All-CRBL in 1987 (second base), 1990 (second base), and 1996 (infield). A participant in three All-Star games (1987, 1996, 1998), Lyberg’s highest all-time rankings can be found in walks (29th), runs scored (34th), singles (38th) and hits (40th).

George Farmer

Manager:
Eau Claire Twin City Sports 1961-70
Eau Claire Classic Baseball League 1961-65
Chippewa Valley League 1966-68; Pierce-Pepin County Baseball League 1969-70

As manager of the Eau Claire Twin City Sports, George Farmer directed one of the most successful organizations and teams in the rich history of the CRBL. In doing so, he created an admirable legacy of being a selfless promoter, tireless organizer and proud advocate for amateur baseball in northwest Wisconsin.

One of the driving forces behind the creation of the Eau Claire Classic Baseball League (1960-65), Farmer began his time with the Twin City Sports in 1960 as their business manager. In 1961, George took on the demanding dual role of business manager as well as field skipper, essentially running the entire Twin City Sports’ operation on his own. It is a role he would flourish in until his last year with the club in 1970.

During his 10 seasons at the helm of the Sports’ crew, Farmer compiled a resounding and enviable record of achievement and service across three amateur baseball leagues. In league battles, George’s Twin City Sports won two Eau Claire Classic Baseball League championships (1964 and 1965), lost in an ECCBL championship game (1961), claimed one Pierce-Pepin County League crown (1969) and went 21 and 12 in three seasons of play (1966, 1967, 1968) in the Chippewa Valley League, the forerunner to the current day Chippewa River Baseball league.

Within the unforgiving WBA tournament, the Sports enjoyed an incredible amount of success, playing in the WBA during each of Farmer’s ten seasons as manager (1961-70). During those appearances, Twin City survived to play in five Final 8’s (1962, 1963, 1964, 1968, 1970), made it to three WBA championship games (1963, 1964, 1970) and one WBA championship series (1968). In 1964, Farmer’s squad captured their lone WBA title when they beat the Pepin Lakers 9-3 in the title game at Milltown.

While leading Eau Claire through this exemplary run of success, George secured three WBA Finals to be hosted at Eau Claire’s Carson Park (1967, 1968, 1970) as well as three WBA regionals (1967, 1968, 1970). In the process, he accomplished the demanding and unique feat of hosting both a WBA regional and final in the same season, doing so at Carson Park in 1970.

From a historical perspective, Mr. Farmer should be remembered with appreciation for being a strong, unabashed and persistent advocate for the immeasurable benefits and qualities that amateur baseball can provide to its participants and supporting communities.

Plainly stated, George’s achievements on and off the field as a manager, organizer and promoter have been – and will be – matched by very few throughout the CRBL’s long and winding existence. With his induction, George Farmer rightly takes his place as one of the Chippewa River Baseball League’s all-time greats.

Managerial Record: G W L Pct. Division Titles League CS

Combined ECCBL, 140 95 45 .679 1 3

CVL, & PPCBL

(WBA) App G W L Pct. Final 8’s WBA CS

Combined ECCBL, 10 29 18 11 .621 5 1

CVL, & PPCBL

Nick Blair

Pitcher, Designated Hitter

Tilden Tigers 1998-2011

A hard throwing right-hander and tough right-handed hitter, Nick Blair was a respected and winning player throughout his 14 seasons of play in the CRBL, all with the tradition rich Tigers of Tilden.

The righty’s 1998 arrival gave Tilden a power arm that fortified the Tigers’ established strengths of excellent pitching and rock solid defense. Blaire shined in his first full-time campaign in 1999, going 6 and 1 from the hill with 52 strikeouts in 64.2 innings and an ERA of 2.92 while leading the CRBL in saves with 2 and shutouts with 2. Accordingly, Nick was voted All-CRBL as a pitcher.

Blair came backin 2000 with perhaps his best all-around season. In shouldering a career high 70.2 innings, Nick led the CRBL with 7 wins (against 2 losses), while punching out 45 and holding a 3.31 ERA. The stalwart performance coincided with his first full-time season as a hitter, one in which he hit .370 (17 for 46) for Tilden. Rightfully, Nick was voted All-CRBL at pitcher for the second year in a row.

Blair’s .370 average in 2000 was the first of five consecutive seasons (2000-2004), in which he went above .300. He also surpassed .300 in 2007 when he hit .341 (15 for 44). A consistent run producer, Nick drove in more than 10 runs five times (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007) with a high of 16 RBI’s twice (2003 and 2006).

Despite his productivity at the plate, it is indeed as a pitcher where Blaire will be most remembered. Never one to shy away from taking the ball, the right-hander hurler averaged 55 innings per season from 1999 to 2005, notching his tow other league leading totals in that stretch when in 2004, he paced the CRBL in wins (7) and winning percentage (.875, 7 wins and 1 loss).

Nick’s willingness to take the ball was evident in that he pitched in one CRBL championship series (1999, appearing in both games) and six CRBL championship contests (2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006) for the Tigers. Capturing MVP honors in the 2002 title match, he was the winning pitcher (8.1 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 H, 5 BB, 4 K) in Tilden’s 4-2 victory over the Bears at Carson Park.

Blair and the Tigers enjoyed a plethora of success during their 14 seasons together, including three CRBL championships (2002, 2007, 2011), ten North Division crowns, 14 WBA appearances, two WBA championship games (2000 and 2004) and one WBA crown (2004).

In addtion to 1999 and 2000, Nick also was bestowed All-CRBL awards in 2001 (pitcher), 2003 (pitcher), 2004 (pitcher), 2006 (designated hitter, retroactively given in 2017) and 2007 (designated hitter, retroactively given in 2017). In total, Blair garnered seven All-CRBL awards in his 14 seasons, a telling sign of how the Big Tiger was viewed by his CRBL contemporaries.

In conjuction with those seven All-CRBL awards, Blair was given honorable mention All-CRBL awards in 2001 (utility) and 2005 (pitcher). For good measure, he participated in four all-star games (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004).

Upon induction, Nick Blair’s highest all-time rankings are from the mound where he is tied for 19th in winning percentage, tied for 20th in wins, tied for 24th in saves, tied for 33rd in decisions, and soley at 33rd for innings pitched.