League: Chippewa River Baseball League

Primary League

Dennis Lee

1st Baseman

Augusta Athletics 1989-96

The Augusta Athletics of the 1990’s had a memorable array of talented and fearsome players that collectively dominated the CRBL.  Amidst this accomplished and winning crew was 1st baseman Dennis “Denny” Lee, who is readily acknowledged by his Augusta brethren as the leader of the A’s rise to CRBL prominence.

Hitting from a simplistic upright stance, the right-handed swinging Lee brought immediate respect and awareness to the potency of Augusta’s line-up.  In the Athletics’ first CRBL season, Denny hit .321 (18 for 56) with 4 home runs and 17 RBI’s as the team went 9 and 7 while qualifying for the WBA gala from the South Division.  This would be the first of five consecutive seasons of hitting .300 or better, capped by his career best .446 average (29 for 65) in 1993.  His 65 at-bats and 29 runs scored that year both led the nine-team CRBL.  Denny also set personal highs in 1993 with 6 doubles and 6 home runs as he was deservedly recognized with an All-CRBL award.  Lee’s other league leading total came the previous year when his 26 RBI’s were tops in 1992. Despite his relatively short playing career in the CRBL, Denny is still tied for 35th all-time in long balls with 24.

The run production and leadership that Denny provided became crucial factors in the A’s noteworthy run of success in the CRBL and the WBA.  During the 1st baseman’s seven seasons of CRBL conflicts, Augusta won four South Division titles, three CRBL championships, qualified for seven WBA tournaments, played in four Final 8’s, and made it to two WBA  championship games, and winning the prized WBA championship in 1994.

With his time on Augusta dating back to the organization’s independent beginnings of the early 1980’s, Lee will forever be viewed as one of the town’s baseball giants.  Through his induction in to the Chippewa River Baseball League Hall of Fame, Dennis Lee rightfully takes his place as one the greats in the storied history of the CRBL.

Scott Hughes

Utility

Augusta Athletics 1989-99, 2001-06

The Augusta Athletics built their dynasty of the 1990’s on the double barreled formula of power hitting and power pitching.  Exemplifying these game altering traits better than anyone was Augusta legend, Scott Hughes.

An imposing presence both from the mound and in the batter’s box, no player in CRBL history led or tied for the league lead in single-season statistical categories more than Hughes.  In total, the big righty paced the CRBL 35 times in 14 out of a possible 18 individual areas.

As a pitcher, “Hughey” was a league leader 23 times.  Specifically, he led the CRBL in innings pitched twice (80.1 in 1999 and 64 in 2004), ERA twice (3.06 in 1995 and 0.75 in 2001), wins in five seasons (9 in 1994, 7 in 1997, 7 in 1998, 11 in 1999, and 7 in 2003), winning percentage six times (1.000 in 1994, .875 in 1997, .875 in 1998, 1.000 in 1999, .833 in 2002, and .875 in 2003), strikeouts once (67 in 1997), saves once (2 in 1993), and shutouts six times (2 in 1993, 1 in 1996, 1 in 2001, 3 in 2002, 2 in 2003, and 2 in 2006).

As a hitter, Big Scott was a pace setter 12 times.  In two seasons, he was a CRBL batting champion (.493 in 1989 and .510 in 1990), once in at-bats (71 in 1994), four times in hits (33 in 1989, 31 in 1994, 33 in 1997, and 34 in 1999), once in doubles (9 in 1994), once in home runs (7 in 1993), once in RBI’s (26 in 1993), and twice in runs scored (29 in 1995 and 30 in 1997).

Scott’s ascension to a top flight, multi-threat player came in 1994 when he went an undisputed 9 an 0, tying for the league lead in wins (9) and shutouts (2) while pacing the CRBL outright in K’s with 67 and winning percentage (1.000).  During this breakout season, the Augusta ace also spun the 28th no-hitter in CRBL history with a 12 to 0, 9-inning gem vs. the Bloomer Fightin’ Woodticks.  That same season, Hughes also led the league in at-bats (71), hits (31), doubles (9), runs scored (29), and became one of only 13 hitters in league history to have 6 hits in a game, doing so against the Cadott Red Sox.

Hughes’ full arsenal of historical talent was no more evident than in 1999 when he had arguably the greatest pitching and hitting season ever in league play.  Hitting .459 with a league leading 34 hits in 74 at-bats, Scott drove in 23 runs and scored 17 while banging 8 doubles and 5 home runs all while drawing just 6 walks.  Concertedly from the slab, the high-kicking righty with the windmill wind-up also set a still standing season record for winning percentage at 1.000, claiming a clean slate of 11 wins without a defeat.  The win total paced the 10-team CRBL as did his 80.1 innings pitched.

Accordingly, Scott was named All-CRBL a total of eight times (1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002) while participating in 15 All-Star games (1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006).  In three All-Star exhibitions, Hughes was the best of the best, getting named the contest’s MVP in 1989 (retroactively in 2017) 1994, 1996, and 2003.

The game changing skills that Hughey forcefully imparted on the CRBL became one of the pillars upon which Augusta rose to be a preeminent league power.  In the Big Righty’s 17 seasons of CRBL play, Augusta captured seven South Division titles, five CRBL crowns, qualified for 16 WBA tournaments, survived to play in six Final 8’s, and played in three WBA championship games.  Perhaps the flash point of success amidst this excess of winning came in 1994, when Hughes and the Athletics won the elusive WBA championship, triumphing over the Abbotsford Merchants 8 to 4 in the title game.  It represented the first time a CRBL team had won the WBA tournament since the Thorp Cardinals in 1953.

Off the hill, Hughes’ highest ranking upon induction can be found in shutouts where he is 3rd.  He can also be found ranked among the greats in winning percentage (4th), wins (5th), innings pitched (14th), strikeouts (16th), saves (tied for 21st), ERA (28th),  and K/9 IP (47th).

As a hitter, Scott’s best rank is in batting average where he is 2nd.  His other high marks in batsmanship are in home runs (3rd), slugging percentage (3rd), RBI’s (5th), runs scored (5th), total bases (6th), doubles (7th), hits (9th), singles (15th), at-bats (24th), games played (25th), and base on balls (42nd).

(Biographical information amended, 2018)

Marcelino Alonso

Outfielder

Augusta Athletics 1996-2001; Eau Claire Bears 2002

A native of Panama, Marcelino Alonso was a baseball hitting savant during his memorable seven-season tear through CRBL history.

The likable and affable Alonso settled in Augusta after playing two seasons of Rookie Ball for the Baltimore Orioles organization in 1992 and 1993.  In his rookie CRBL campaign of 1996, Marcelino used his quick-wristed stroke to hit .365 (19 for 52) with 2 home runs and 10 RBI’s for the 11 and 7 Augusta crew.  The explosiveness of Alonso’s bat made him a seamless addition to Augusta’s notorious high octane offense.

Marcelino’s sophomore season of 16 games in 1997 was a resounding display of his batting talents.  Walloping a league leading 10 homers and 31 RBI’s, the outfielder also had 30 hits in 68 at-bats (.441 average) with 7 doubles and 29 runs scored.  Accordingly, Alonso was awarded with his first All-CRBL award.

A two-time batting champion, Marcelino captured his first such distinction in 1998 as he roped a .550 average (22 for 40) to go along with 4 doubles, 5 home runs, and 20 RBI’s in only 10 league games for the 12 and 4 CRBL champion Athletics of Augusta.

Alonso’s second batting title came in 2000 when he produced one of the greatest individual seasons in CRBL history.  In 18 games, the Athletic led the CRBL with 39 hits and a .557 average in 70 at-bats.  He also led the league in doubles with 11 while collecting 27 RBI’s and scoring 22 runs.  His 39 knocks stood as a CRBL single-season record until 2012 when the Eau Claire Bears’ Jeremy Nicolai slashed 41 hits in 22 games.

2001 will forever stand as the CRBL’s return to wood bats after nearly a 30-year absence.  Marcelino adjusted nicely by hitting .354 (23 for 65) and tying for the league lead in hits with 23 to go along with 2 long balls, 10 RBI’s, and 15 runs scored.

In 2002 the former Oriole farmhand took his bat to Eau Claire where he played one year for the Bears.  Hitting .364  (24 for 66) with 5 doubles, 2 homers, 13 RBI’s, and 15 runs, Marcelino played an integral role in helping the Bears capture their first South Division title as well as their first appearance in the WBA’s Final 8.

After 2002, Alonso moved to the southern part of Wisconsin, thus shortening his time in the CRBL to seven extremely productive seasons.  Marcelino’s abbreviated stay prevented his sterling career batting average (.424) and slugging percentage (.721) from qualifying for all-time marks within those categories.  Upon induction, the hard-hitting righty can be found, however, tied for 32nd all-time in home runs with 26.

A participant in four All-Star games (1996, 1997, 2001, 2002), Alonso was rightfully selected for All-CRBL honors three times (1997, 2000, 2001).  These individual accolades were of course major ingredients in the success of his teams, as Marcelino was a member of four Southern Division champions, two CRBL champions, seven WBA qualifiers, and two Final 8 squads.

It should be noted that Alonso’s departure from the CRBL did not end his amateur baseball career.  2013 represented his ninth season of baseball in the Home Talent Leagues of southern Wisconsin, with his first two post-CRBL campaigns being with the Baraboo River Dogs and his last eight belonging to the Reedsburg Pirates.

Butch Pitsch

Outfielder, Shortstop

Jim Falls Sturgeons 1981-96, 98-2000

Left-handed power hitters as well as Pitsch family members are synonymous with Jim Falls baseball.  One of the best from this group to ever play for the small hamlet along the Chippewa River was shortstop and outfielder, Dale “Butch” Pitsch.

Butch’s .315 average (17 for 54) in his first CRBL season of 1981 signaled the addition of another tough, hard-hitting lefty to the Sturgeons improved school of hitters, evident in the organization’s first WBA appearance that year since 1975.  Hitting .321 (18 for 56) two years later, Pitsch and the Crew of Big Fish in 1983 enjoyed their first winning record since the 1975 squad in addition to securing another birth in the WBA.

The quick wristed lefty had his first CRBL leading total in 1985 when he was in front of the 10-team circuit with 3 triples.  Butch’s other league leading total came in long balls when he and the Eau Claire Pioneers’ Jon Bowe tied for the CRBL lead with 7 clouts in 1989.  Along with a .395 average (17 for 43) and 23 RBI’s in that season of 1989, Pitsch and the power-laden line-up of the Sturgeons captured their first North Division since 1973 with a won/loss mark of 12 and 4 and qualified for their fourth WBA tournament in a row.

Returning to the WBA in 1991 with an 11 and 5 league record, Jim Falls swam to their first Final 8 appearance since the memorable 1975 team.  Pitch did his part by hurdling the .400 mark for the first time, hitting .413 (19 for 46) with 2 homers and 11 RBI’s in CRBL conflicts.  Butch’s second consecutive .400 season in 1992 (.417, 25 for 60) also came with 6 home runs, 19 ribbies, and a personal best 22 runs scored as the Prehistoric Fish made it back to the WBA dance.

In completing a seven season run of hitting .300 or better (1987 to 1993) Pitsch’s .509 effort in 1993 was a career best, thanks to a personal high of 28 hits coming in 55 at-bats.  In total, Butch’s .338 lifetime average was bolted on 10 campaigns of hitting .300 or better in 14 years as a regular for the Fish in Jim Town.

Starting his career at Jim Falls’ famous school yard diamond and concluding his playing days at plush Sturgeon Stadium at Gruden Field, Butch lashed out 267 CRBL hits from the left side of the plate.  A selective batter, Pitsch also walked 164 times on the strength of 10+ base on balls in nine CRBL seasons.

Considered to be an underrated player, Mr. Pitsch participated in two All-Star games (1985 and 1989), was named All-CRBL outfielder twice (1992 and 1993), and was recognized as an Honorable Mention All-CRBL pick as an outfielder three times (1987, 1989, and 1991).

Rob Olson

Outfielder

Hallie Eagles 1992-2001

A .376 lifetime hitter in CRBL play, Rob Olson’s line-drive stroke unleashed from a simple stance coupled with his hard-charging approach to playing the outfield made him a standout during his 10 seasons of competition for the Eageles of Hallie.

In his rookie CRBL season of 1992, Olson seared the ball at a .500 clip (29 for 58) and topped the league with 3 triples.  Rob’s half-full average in that year would initiate a streak of six consecutive seasons in which he hit .330 or better, including three seasons of .400 or better – 1994 (.453, 24 for 53), 1995 (.475, 28 for 59), and 1999 (.400, 24 for 60).

In each of these .400+ seasons, Rob was an offensive pace setter in the CRBL.  In 1994, he tied for the lead in triples with 2.  In 1995, he tied for the lead in hits with 28 while autonomously claiming the lead in runs scored with 25.  In 1999, Olson’s .400 ledger coincided with a league high 19 walks, one of eight seasons during which the right-handed hitter earned 10 or more base on balls in league play.

During Rob’s time in the Eagle’s nest, Hallie qualified for six WBA tournaments (1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000), one Final 8 (1995), two South Division championships (1996 and 2001), and two CRBL title belts (1996 and 2000).  In the 11 to 7 championship win verse the Tilden Tigers in 1996 at Hallie’s spacious Sipple Field – Hallie’s first league crown since 1984 – Olson scored 2 runs and knocked 2 hits in 4 at-bats.  Four seasons later in 2000, Hallie prevailed again over the Tigers at Sipple Field for the CRBL title, this time by a more comfortable 15 to 6 score.  The consistent hitting outfielder had another difference making day, going 1 for 2 at the plate with a double, 3 RBI’s, 3 base on balls, and 1 run scored.

An All-Star participant in six seasons (1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999), Rob was selected as an All-CRBL outfielder in four campaigns (1992, 1994, 1995, 1999).

Don Ash

Shortstop

Lake Hallie Lakers 1952-55, 57; Eau Claire Leif’s Conoco Oilers 1953; Hamilton Chevrolets 1956; Seymour 1958-59;

Chippewa Falls Triangle Sports 1958

One of only seven hitters in league history to win a triple crown, Don Ash was a remarkably productive shortstop who tore up Chippewa Valley League pitching during his eight seasons of competition for five circuit teams.

In his rookie campaign of 1952, Don hit .381 (16 for 42) for the up and coming Lake Hallie Lakers of the Northern Division.  In 1954, Lake Hallie began one of the most dominant stretches of team play in CRBL lore.  Riding a high octane offense, the Lakers rolled to a perfect 10 and 0 record, an American Division championship, and a spot in the WBA tournament.  Priming the offense was Don’s .413 average ( 19 for 46) and his league leading totals of 19 hits, 16 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases.

Riding the high tide into 1955, Don and the Lakers surged to another 10 and 0 record, a Southern Division title, and a second straight trip to the WBA.  Ash again contributed mightily, hitting .377 (20 for 53) and tying for the CVL lead in triples with 2 and runs scored with 23 while leading outright in stolen bases with 11.

After losing in the CVL championship to the Hamilton Chevrolets of Chippewa Falls in 1954 and 1955, Ash joined the Chevs in 1956.  Playing in 10 games that season, Don posted gaudy numbers in spearing the Chippewa Valley League’s triple crown.  With a league tops .431 batting average (22 for 51), Ash tied the Lafayette Braves’ Bob Wolfe for the lead in homers with 3 and led outright with 21 RBI’s.  He also was the best in 1956 within the categories of hits (22), triples (2), runs scored (23), and stolen bases (9).

After returning to Lake Hallie for one season in 1957, Don moved to the fledgling Seymour squad in 1958 where he had another stellar effort, hitting .351 (20 for 57) while also serving spot duty with the Chippewa Falls Triangle Sports.

Don concluded his run through CVL/CRBL history in 1959 as player/manager for the 10 and 2, South Division champion and WBA qualifying Seymour club.  Smoking the ball at a career best .458 average (24 for 54), the agile shortstop led the Chippewa Valley League in at-bats with 54, hits with 24, runs scored with 18, and walks with 12.

In playing nearly 30 years before the institution of All-CRBL awards, Don’s stature in the Chippewa Valley League was illuminated through his participation in six all-star games during his eight season career.  The most noteworthy of Ash’s all-star game performances came on June 27th, 1954.  Playing shortstop for the American Division, Don was described in the next day’s edition of the Chippewa-Herald as the “brightest star”.  In recounting his defensive play, the Herald articulated that Ash “played ball as though he were paid for it.”  At the plate that day, Don was 4 for 7 with a home run, a double, 3 runs scored, and 4 RBI’s as the American Division prevailed 18 to 17 verse the National Division in a contest that still stands as containing the most runs scored in a CRBL all-star game exhibition.  Although no game MVP was officially named on that Sunday afternoon, Ash’s shining day would have made him the clear choice.

With his league at-bats unavoidably limited by the short regular seasons of that era (the 18 games he played in 1957 was the only time he was part of a CVL schedule consisting of more than 12 games), Don’s best all-time rankings can be found in triples where he is tied for 27th and stolen bases where he shares a spot at 28th.

 

Rick Ruf

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

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.