League: Chippewa River Baseball League

Primary League

Rick Ruf

Class of 2012
Manager
Tilden Tigers 1990-2003

A dedicated and intelligent baseball man, Rick Ruf’s understanding of the game and adept handling of his players enabled him to steer Tilden through 14 seasons of dominant play in the storied Chippewa River Baseball League. Beginning as a player for the Tigers in 1986, Rick took on full-time managerial responsibilities in 1990, leading Tilden to a 10 and 5 record and an appearance in the WBA’s Final 8. The maroon and yellow clad Tigers won their first of 11 division titles and four CRBL championships under Ruf in 1991. Tilden’s 7 to 5 victory over the Augusta Athletics that season began an unprecedented run of nine championship game appearances in 10 seasons (1991 to 1994, 1996 to 2000). The Tilden squad of 1991 also made the franchise’s third appearance in a WBA title game, losing a tough 7 to 6 decision against the Merrill Giants.

Tilden’s other CRBL title belts under Ruf took place in 1994 and 1997 vs. Augusta, and in 2002 vs. the Eau Claire Bears. Rick would bring the Tigers back to the WBA title fight in 1995, where they would prevail over Wausau 10 to 6 at Haugen, becoming only the third CRBL team at that time to win a WBA crown. In total, Ruf and the Tigers made an appearance in the WBA during every one of his 14 seasons as manager, surviving to prowl in seven Final 8’s in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 2000, and 2003. Amidst all the championships and titles, the simplest and best barometer of Rick’s managerial skills may be found in the fact that Tilden never had a losing record with him at the controls. The Tigers’ shining 16 and 1 mark in 1992 was the best regular season with Ruf as they also won the North and made the Final 8 in that noteworthy campaign.

Rick should also be acknowledged for his service to the CRBL, acting as the storied organization’s president for four years, holding the post from 1994 to 1997. Through the yearly harnessing of a competitive and hard playing group of ballplayers, Mr. Ruf currently ranks 2nd in managerial wins, 4th in winning percentage, 1st in division titles, tied for 3rd in league championships, 1st in WBA wins, 2nd in WBA tourney appearances, and 1st in Final 8 appearances.

Stan Prince

Class of 2012
Utility
Cooks Valley Hayshakers 1971-82; Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks 1983-84

Over his 14-season amateur baseball career, Stan Prince carved out a lasting reputation as one of the CRBL’s best contact hitters and slickest fielding defenders who was admired for both his quick hands and vacuum-like glove.
Breaking in with the Cooks Valley Hayshakers in 1971, Stan had the first of his 10 seasons of .300 hitting or better when he batted .328 (19 for 58). Of those 10 seasons, Prince topped .400 in 1976 (.404, 19 for 47), 1977 (.453, 29 for 64), 1981 (.407, 15 for 37) and in 1983 (.407, 27 for 69). His personal best came in 1980 when he paced the CRBL with a scalding mark of .511 (24 for 47), during which he also set a career high in home runs with 2.
Prince’s three other leading offensive outputs occurred in doubles, when he tied for the CRBL lead with 5 in 1974 and 4 in 1976 while leading outright with 6 two-baggers in 1977.
It would be remiss to not acknowledge Utility Stan’s contributions from the mound, where he consumed 260.2 innings of CRBL play, topping 50 frames in two different seasons for the Hayshakers – 66.1 IP in 1976 and 50.2 in 1978.
Prince’s aforementioned .407 output in 1983 also included his career high in RBI’s with 19, runs scored with 16, as well as matching his personal bests in doubles with 6 and home runs with 2. This offensive bounty coincided with his first year on the upstart Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks. His seasoned approach and outstanding play that year helped the ‘Jacks win the North Division title, a CRBL championship, and a berth in the WBA tournament. In the 13-7 CRBL championship win vs. Cadott – Stan’s lone appearance in a title game – he was 2 for 6 with a double, 2 RBI’s, and 2 runs scored.
After completing his career as a part-time but still productive player for the Lumberjacks in 1984, Stan’s league resume included an All-CRBL award in for his memorable 1983 season. The remarkably high level of bat control Prince regularly employed was the tool by which he crafted an attention grabbing lifetime average of .365, placing him 10th all-time in CRBL competition.
With his induction, Mr. Prince joins brothers and fellow sluggers Joe and Pat as CRBL Hall of Famers and immortals.

Pat Prince

Class of 2012
Infielder
Cooks Valley Hayshakers 1971-82; Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks 1983-86

A strong right-handed hitter with prodigious power, Pat Prince tore up league pitching for 16 seasons as a member of Coon Valley Hayshakers and Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks.
With the baseball rich Prince family jump-starting the Hayshakers in 1971, brothers and fellow CRBL Hall of Famers Pat, Joe, and Stan provided plenty of offensive force for Cooks Valley’s line-up during the organizations 13 seasons of existence.
Beginning in 1974, Pat had a string of 12 consecutive campaigns in which he hit better than .300. The bright spot for this streak occurred when he hit over .400 in consecutive years, doing so in 1979 (.407, 24 for 59) and 1980 (.423, 22 for 52).
With his plenteous for power, the long-ball hitting Prince tied for the league lead in that category in 1975 with 2. He hit a career best of 6 homers in 1980 and 1984, while also driving in a personal best 22 runs during those seasons as well.
The firepower of the Prince family and the Hayshakers line-up never quite reached the .500 mark or the WBA tournament. That changed for Pat and brother Stan when they joined the fledgling Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks in 1983 after the Hayshakers disbanded. Pat’s big bat (.380 avg., 3 homers, 17 RBI’s) and veteran play helped the ‘Jacks to a 14 and 6 record, a North Division title, a 13-7 win over Cadott in the CRBL title game, and a spot in the WBA tournament. In the league championship vs. Cadott, Pat stayed true to form by knocking a solo homer in a 1 for 4 day with 3 runs scored.
Prince followed up with another power packed year in 1984 (.333 avg., 6 homers, 22 RBI’s) helping Chippewa Falls to another winning record of 13 and 5 and a second consecutive WBA birth. 1985 was Pat’s last full-time effort, checking in with a .300 ledger, 3 homeruns and 10 RBI’s for the Woodcutter’s 11 and 2 crew that won the North Division for the second time, made their third consecutive WBA tourney, and tamed the Lafayette Indians 8-7 in the CRBL title game. In that victory vs. the Tribe, Pat hit a pivotal 5th inning 3-run homer, knotting the game at 6 runs a piece.
Along his road to 286 career hits, Pat topped the 20 hit barrier seven times, with his 1983 total of 27 being a personal best. Joining brothers Joe and Stan as CRBL Hall of Famers, Pat is ranked all-time between 20th and 29th place in nearly every hitting category.
During his league career, the slugging Prince participated in four all-star games (1971, 1972, 1983, 1985), and was recognized as an All-CRBL pick twice (1974 and 1980).

Joe Prince

Class of 2012
Catcher, Outfielder
Bloomer Pines 1964-65; Tilden Tigers 1966-67, 70; Cooks Valley Hayshakers 1971-80

A powerful right-handed hitter for three teams during his 15 seasons of competition, Joe Prince’s induction to the CRBL Hall of Fame solidifies his place as one of the most potent offensive players to ever dig in to a Chippewa River Baseball League batter’s box.
Joe’s 1964 rookie season was as a part-time player for the Bloomer Pines. Prince became a perennial standout in 1965 when he hit .383 (18 for 47) with a Chippewa Valley League best 6 doubles for the Pines.
Moving south to Tilden in 1966, Joe hit .333 (14 for 42) and appeared in his second consecutive all-star game. It became apparent in 1967 that Prince was a figure to be reckoned with in league play. In year number two as a Tiger, Joe hit .397 (23 for 59) with 5 home runs and a C.V.L. leading 24 RBI’s in 14 league games. On Sunday, May 21st of that year, the wood bat swinging Joe had one of the best single games in league history when he went 5 for 5 with a grand slam, 8 RBI’s, and 6 runs scored in Tilden’s 23 to 11 thrashing of the Cadott Red Sox at Cadott.
After taking two years off from league play, Joe returned to Tilden and the rigors of the CRBL in 1970 by leading the nine-team circuit in base on balls with 14 and tying for the league lead in triples with 3.
With the Prince family forming the Hayshakers, Joe took his talents to Cooks Valley in 1971, gathering his 5th consecutive .300+ effort (.304, 17 for 56). Joe snagged his first home run belt in 1972 with the co-leading total of 3. In 1973, the Hayshaker Masher impressively led the CRBL with a .432 average (19 for 44) while simultaneously banging 4 home runs to lead the league again in that area as well.
Prince would cross the .400 barrier in two other seasons, doing it again in 1975 (.425, 20 for 47) and in his final season of 1980 (.405, 17 for 42).
Including the three seasons over .400, Joe was a .300 or better hitter in 13 of his 14 seasons as a regular. Additionally, Prince had 20 or more hits in five seasons, with a career high of 24 in 1977. In cracking 31 long balls, Joe hit 3 or more homers in six different seasons, reaching a peak of 5 in 1967 and 1977.
A participant in six all-star games, Joe was named MVP of the 1966 classic, when his 3-run bomb gave the West Division a 4-2 lead on their way to beating the East Division 5-3 at Jim Falls.
In joining brothers Pat and Stan as CRBL Hall of Famers, Productive Joe’s highest spots on the all-time ladder can be found in slugging percentage (12th), batting average (15th), and home runs (17th).

Dale Prince

Class of 2012
Pitcher, Outfielder
Tilden Terrors 1962-64; Tilden Tigers 1965-73, 75-76

The possessor of marksman like control, a barreling fastball, and a razor sharp slider, Dale Prince toed the rubber in Tilden for over 10 seasons to become one of the most successful left-handed pitchers in CRBL history.
In his first year of league play in 1962, Dale was an immediate winner, leading the Chippewa Valley League with an .857 winning percentage due to winning 6 of 7 decisions for the 9 and 3 North Division champion and WBA qualifying Tilden Terrors.
A reliable and durable pitcher, Dale logged over 60 innings in each of his first six seasons, with a league leading total of 90 in 1964. His workhorse effort of 1964 enabled him to tie for the Chippewa Valley League lead in wins (8), winning percentage (.800, 8 and 2) and shutouts (1) while posting a 2.60 ERA with 89 strikeouts. His 8 wins that year accounted for each of the 8 and 3 Tilden Terrors’ victories as they won a Western Division title and again made it to the WBA tourney.
With the return of the Tigers moniker in 1965, Prince had his most dominant season pitching for Tilden. Slinging a career best 90.1 innings that year, the lefty led the C.V.L. in wins with 7, strikeouts with 140, and became only the 14th pitcher in league history to throw a no-hitter when he blanked the Elk Mound Mounders 14-0 in a 15 K, 1 walk performance on August 15th, 1965. This 1 shutout also tied for the league lead in that category for that year.
Dale’s other league leading efforts were 117 strikeouts in 1966, 3 saves in 1969, 1 save in 1970 (co-leader), and 2 saves in 1971. Prince’s emergence as an effective relief pitcher helped the Tigers claim C.R.B.L. titles in 1968, 1969, 1970, and 1971. Throwing a handful of innings in 1972, Dale remained a regular in the line-up for a Tilden team that won its league record-tying fifth consecutive title that season.
When he wasn’t pitching, Prince could typically be found patrolling the outfield for the Terrors and the Tigers. Offensively, Dale collected 181 hits, 113 RBI’s, hit 14 homeruns, and scored 139 runs.
A participant in four all-star games, Prince competed in the era prior to All-CRBL awards becoming an annual right. Fittingly, Dale’s highest all-time rankings can be found off the mound. Upon induction, he shares a spot in the categories of saves (10th place) and wins (13th place), while standing alone in strikeouts per nine innings (11th place), strikeouts (12th place), and innings pitched (15th place).

Barney Meinen

Class of 2012
Manager
Tilden Tigers 1967-77
Catcher
Tilden Tigers 1950-59, 65-68; Tilden Terrors 1960-64

Roland “Barney” Meinen had a long and durable stay as a catcher, enjoying a 19-season career competing for Tilden. Meinen’s place in CRBL history was cemented, however, during his 11-year reign as the Tilden Tigers’ hard-driving and competitive manager.
With his playing career beginning in 1950, Meinen is on record as a full-time player and catcher until 1965 before finishing his career in spot duty through 1968. Along the way, he accumulated 185 hits in 784 at-bats while driving in 93 runs and scoring 119 tallies.
Acting as player/manager in 1967 and 1968, Meinen led the Big Cats from Tilden to a 15 and 3 record, a CRBL championship, and a spot in the WBA tourney during his second year at the helm. From 1968 to 1972, Meinen’s Tigers won a league record five consecutive league championships, winning the title outright in 1968 and 1970, while prevailing in championship games vs. the Cornell Hawks in 1969, the Bloomer Merchants in 1971, and the Lafayette Indians in 1972.
With divisional play returning to the CRBL in 1973 from a five year hiatus, Barney guided the Tigers to Northern Division crowns from 1974 to 1977, his last four seasons as the head man. During this time frame, two more championships were copped when Tilden beat the Lafayette Indians in 1974 and the Cadott Red Sox in 1977.
Meinen’s WBA resume concluded with nine appearances in his 11 years and four Final 8’s (1972, 1973, 1974, 1976). The one jewel missing from Barney’s crown was a WBA championship, although he did make it to a title bout in 1976, where Tilden lost to Merrill, 3-0.
Barney’s summative ranks among league managers are 1st for league championships, 1st in winning percentage, 4th in WBA appearances, 4th in WBA wins, tied for 4th in Finals 8’s, 5th in league wins, tied for 5th in division titles, and 10th in league games managed.

Arnie Bowe

Class of 2012
Catcher
Tilden Tigers 1972-86

One of the best hitting catchers in CRBL history, Arnie Bowe’s offensive production and strong defensive presence were game changing attributes during his 15 seasons of baseball for the Tigers of Tilden.
A hard-swinging left-handed batter, Bowe was a model of consistency at the plate. In crafting a .338 lifetime average, Arnie batted over .300 in 11 seasons, including the last 10 of his CRBL career. Within that streak, Bowe eclipsed .400 twice, hitting a career high .481 (25 for 52) in 1980, and .448 (26 for 58) in 1982.
The portside catcher was also a regular with the long ball, popping 2 or more homeruns in seven different seasons, with his career high of 5 attained in three different years (1979, 1982, 1984)). Accordingly, Arnie was a consistent run producer in the middle of Tilden’s line-up, driving in 10 or more runs in nine seasons, with his personal high of 23 coming in 1982. From the base paths, Arnie was able to top 10 or more runs scored in 11 seasons, crossing the plate a career best 20 times in 1977. Within his superlative 1982 campaign during which he hit .448 with 5 home runs, 5 doubles, 23 RBI’s, and 15 runs scored, the slugging catcher struck out a grand total of one time.
Bowe’s relentless production helped the Tigers bolster its place as the most successful franchise in CRBL history. During Arnie’s time on the squad, Tilden won 11 North Division titles, including nine in a row from 1974 to 1982, claimed six CRBL crowns (1972, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1986), played in the WBA each season except 1983, appeared in seven Final 8’s (1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1979, 1984, 1986), and lost to Schofield 7-6 at Abbotsford in the 1984 WBA championship. In total, Bowe had the pleasure of playing in 12 CRBL championship games within his 15 years of competition.
A respected defensive receiver who was known for his adept handling of pitchers as well his stonewall approach to blocking home plate, Bowe played in three all-star games (1980, 1981, 1985) and was named All-CRBL catcher in three seasons (1979, 1980, 1982).
Upon induction, the catcher’s highest offensive rankings can be found in slugging percentage (25th), batting average (28th), and homeruns (31st).

Howie Prince

Class of 2011

2nd Baseman, Shortstop

Chippewa Falls Centralites 1949-50; Hamilton Chevrolets 1951-55

The premier league slugger of his day, Howie Prince was a hard-hitting middle infielder whose prowess with a wood bat enabled him to become one of only seven hitters in CRBL history to win a triple crown.

In his rookie season of 1949, Howie slammed 3 home runs in just 12 games for the Chippewa Falls Centralites.  His powerful stick helped fuel the Centralites to a 10 and 4 record and the Chippewa Valley League championship game, where they whipped Tilden 9 to 1 for the title.

1950 was Prince’s breakout year, as he banged league high totals of 23 hits and 19 RBI’s to accentuate a .371 average for the 9 and 5 Centralites.  The aforementioned triple crown was accomplished in 1951.  At that time, Prince was only the third hitter in league play to lay claim to such a distinction.  In 18 games during the 1951 season, Howie pounded out a Chippewa Valley League topping .371 average (29 for 50) to go along with other CVL bests of 4 homeruns, 23 RBI’s, 29 hits, and 7 doubles.  With Howie’s hammer in the middle of the line-up, the first-year Hamilton Chevrolets rolled to a 13 and 5 record and a 4-3 championship game victory over the Tigers of Tilden.

In 1952, Prince laced a .471 average and a league best 5 doubles, but lost out in the batting race to Rick Jaenstch of Leif’s Conoco Oilers and his .524 (22 for 42) tally.

The Hamilton Chevrolets captured another CVL crown in 1954, with Howie’s .304 (17 for 56) average and league pacing 5 doubles contributing on a path to beating the Lake Hallie Lakers 9 to 4 in the title bout.

1955 saw Prince and Hamilton in even better form.  In his last year of league battles, Howie hit .349 with 5 doubles, 3 home runs, 21 RBI’s, and 21 runs scored as the powerful Chevs shined with an 11 and 1 league record and a repeat championship game victory over the same Lake Hallie Lakers, this time by an 11 to 1 score

Clearly, Prince’s time in CRBL history was one thick with individual and team success.  In addition to the triple crown and other statistical high points, the slugging middle infielder played in five All-Star games, nearly two decades before the advent of the annual All-CRBL team.  The two organizations he suited up for won a total of four league championships and posted a .610 regular season winning percentage by winning 61 games and losing only 30.

With the CRBL finishing its 31st year of play in 1955, Howie stepped away as the circuit’s all-time home run king.  Although no longer found on any Top 50 list, Prince’s seven year career shines on a comparative level with today’s wood bat wielding hitters of the CRBL.

In being elected to the CRBL Hall of Fame, Howie joins his father and league pitching great Jim Prince who was inducted in the Inaugural Class of 2009.

Rich Woodford

Class of 2011

Pitcher, 1st Baseman

Cadott Red Sox 1969-74; Lafayette Indians 1969, 83-88; Lafayette Lakers 1976-83

Difference makers from the mound and the plate are rare but sought after commodities in CRBL play.  Through 82 seasons of league history, roughly 25 players have excelled within these parameters.  Rich “Butch” Woodford was one of those players.

After getting his start as a part-time player for the Lafayette Indians and Cadott Red Sox in 1969, the wiry lefty led the CRBL with 3 triples in 1970 during his first year as a full-timer for Cadott.  Rich tied for the high mark in triples with 2 during a 1973 season in which he hit .310, his first .300+ effort.  Offensively, his other pace setting total came in 1976 with 4 doubles and in 1987 when he scorched a career best .519 (28 for 54) average to lead the CRBL for the 12 and 5 Lafayette Indians.  Woodford’s .331 career average was sculpted through eight seasons hitting over .300 (1973, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1983-1986), two seasons over .400 (1979, 1980) and the previously mentioned .519 in 1987.

In 1971, he also was a league leader, but this time from the mound with a 2.10 ERA (7 ER/30 IP) while winning 3 and losing 1 for the 11 and 6 Red Sox. 10 years later, Butch’s suffocating 0.58 ERA (2 ER/31 IP) in 1981 was also tops in the CRBL.  Had a career high 6 wins in 1982, helping the Lakers of Lafayette cap off three straight Final 8’s (1980-82).  Notched five sub-3.00 ERA seasons (1969, 1971, 1977, 1981, 1983).

Used primarily as a reliever and spot starter throughout his CRBL career, Butch logged a personal best 63 innings in 1976 during his first season with the Lakers.  In collecting 14 career saves, the southpaw tied for the league lead in this area with 1 in 1980 and led outright with 3 lockdowns in 1983 and 1986.

A competitive winner during his time in the CRBL, Woodford played on 16 winning squads (1970-1971, 1973-1974, 1976-1985, 1987, 1988), two .500 teams (1972, 1986), and only one losing squad (1977).  He was a member of one league champion (1973 Cadott Red Sox), three division champions (1973, 1985, 1988) 14 WBA qualifiers (1970-1974, 1977, 1979-1983, 1985, 1987, 1988), and four Final 8 clubs (1974, 1977, 1980, 1981).

A participant in six All-Star games (1973, 1980, 1981, 1983-1985), Butch was voted All-CRBL in 1974 for the Cadott Red Sox, 1979 as a Lafayette Laker, and 1987 as a Lafayette Indian.

Upon induction, the Lefty’s best all-time rankings can be found in saves (4th place), triples (4th place), and stolen bases (10th place).