League: Chippewa River Baseball League

Primary League

Pat Prince

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

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

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

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

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

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

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).

Rick Rubenzer

Utility

Jim Falls Sturgeons 1977-83, 85-98

Manager

Jim Falls Sturgeons 1985-98

A sure-handed fielder with a smooth and easy left-handed swing, Rick Rubenzer’s playing and managerial career left an indelible mark on the CRBL during his 21 seasons with the Sturgeons of Jim Falls.

The breadth and quality of Rubenzer’s time in the CRBL is illustrated in his stature as the only person in league history to gather 100 managerial wins, 300 hits, and 300 innings pitched.

As field general for the Prehistoric Fish from 1985 to 1998, Rick’s managerial methods resulted in six WBA appearances (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992), one North division title (1989), one Final 8 showing (1991), and seven winning seasons (1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1995)  — an unmatched run of success for one of the CRBL’s oldest franchises.

Manager Rubenzer was also one tough out.  Upon induction, he can be found in the Top 20 all-time for nine offensive categories.  Rick’s highest perch is in walks, where he is ranked 4th.  His other Top 20 ranks include being 6th in games played, 8th in at-bats, 9th in hits and singles, and 10th in RBI’s, runs scored, doubles, and total bases.

The impressive summation of these totals featured a .460 (23 for 50) batting title in 1981.  The 23 hits that season tied for the league high.  Rubenzer’s other league leading effort occurred in 1988 when his pile of 28 RBI’s coincided with the Sturgeons stellar 14 and 2 regular season record.

Including the .460 batting crown in 1981, Rick topped .400 in a total of four campaigns, doing it in 1981 (.460), 1987 (.404), 1988 (.435), and 1992 (.408).  In seven other seasons (1980, 1983, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1999, and 2000) he was on the north side of a .300 batting average.  His 270 career walks were built on 15 seasons in which his keen batting eye garnered 10 or more base on balls.

The consummate utility man, Rick accumulated 368 innings off the mound.  His career high of 55.2 innings also came with a personal best 6 wins in 1983 for 12 and 6 Jim Falls, the Sturgeons’ first winning record since 1975.

Rick was selected All-CRBL in 1988 as a shortstop for his outstanding 28 RBI, .435 AVG., 2 HR, 18 BB season.  His 14 All-Star game appearances (1980, 1981, 1983, 1985-1989, 1991-1995, 1999) are currently the 6th most in league history.

Rick is the second member of his family to be immortalized as a CRBL Hall of Famer, joining younger brother Randy who was in the Inaugural Class of 2009.

Ben Pitsch

Utility

Jim Falls Fallsmen 1927,30; Eagleton Eagletons 1928-29; Jim Falls Cardinals 1931; Anson Ansonites 1932; Jim Falls Old Abes 1937-38; Jim Falls 1939-41; Jim Falls Legion 1947-50; Holcombe Old Abes 1951-52; Jim Falls Dairymen 1953

Manager

Jim Falls Fallsmen 1930; Jim Falls Old Abes 1937-38; Jim Falls 1939-41; Jim Falls Legion 1948-50

Nearly 60 years after his last game, Ben Pitsch is remembered as a patriarch of one of the most recognizable family names in CRBL history.  On the playing the field, he carved out an admirable and devoted playing career over 18 seasons of league competition.

Playing the bulk of his career in what should be viewed as the “dead ball” era of the CRBL, Benny was a consistent and reliable performer from both the batter’s box and the mound.

Averaging over 1 hit a contest during his 234 game career, Pitsch hung up his spikes as the league’s all-time leader in games played, at-bats, hits, singles, doubles, RBI’s, runs scored, walks, and total bases.  In 17 of his 18 league seasons, Ben collected 10 or more hits, with his career peak of 18 knocks coming in 1951.  Batted over .300 twice, doing so in 1938 at .340 (17 for 50) and 1947 at .304 (17 for 57).  Consistently used as a pitcher during the 1930’s, Pitsch tied for the Chippewa Valley League lead with 1 save in 1936.

During his nine seasons as a player/manager for four different Jim Falls teams, Mr. Pitsch led his squads to three winning records and two .500 finishes.

Playing in a time period when amateur leagues and teams were much more commonplace in the Chippewa Valley, Ben was also a standout for Jim Falls teams in the Cloverbelt, Yellow River, and Eastern County leagues during the 1920’s and 1930’s.

Even with this cross-section of amateur baseball experiences, Pitsch’s name can still be found on the CRBL’s all-time lists.  Upon induction, Pitsch is 21st all-time in at-bats and singles, tied for 29th in walks, tied for 30th in games played, and tied for 34th in hits.

Participated in the 1953 All-Star game, one of only four seasons in which the league exhibition was held during Pitsch’s career.