League: Chippewa River Baseball League

Primary League

Jim Prince

Inaugural Class of 2009

Pitcher

Cooks Valley Valleymen 1932-35; Bloomer City Team 1938-40; Tilden Tigers 1947,49-51

During his first four seasons of league play, Jim Prince was the leader or tied for the leading mark in wins, strikeouts, ERA, innings pitched, and shutouts.  In other words, Prince won the triple crown of pitching (wins, strikeouts, ERA) an unparalleled four seasons in a row.  The dust that has gathered on this accomplishment can be removed in recognizing that only one other pitcher in league history (Tom Dachel, 1977 and 1980) has copped this feat more than once.

Hurling for the Cooks Valley Valleymen from 1932 to 1935, Prince was a dominant workhorse, averaging over 10 wins, 125 strikeouts, and 111 innings pitched with an ERA of 2.50.

1935 marked the peak of his powers, as he went 14 and 3 in 145 innings while whiffing 163 batters and garnering a 2.30 ERA with 2 shutouts.

After a two year hiatus, Jim came back to pitch for the Bloomer City Team from 1938 to 1940.  He led the league in innings pitched with 87 in 1939 while going 6 and 6 with a 4.14 ERA.  He had his last stellar season in 1940 when he won 7 and lost 1 with an ERA of 2.66, 75 strikeouts, 71 innings pitched, and a league leading .875 winning percentage.

After another departure from league play, this time for six years, Prince came back in 1947 with the Tilden Tigers to twirl the league’s 5th no-hitter, a 9-inning 7-0 victory over the Huron Moundsmen.  Finished that year a solid 2 and 1 in 38 innings pitched with an ERA of 3.55 while tying for the league lead with 1 shutout.  Missing 1948, Jim finished his career as a part-time pitcher with the Tigers from 1949 to 1951.

Playing nearly all of his career before the advent of yearly All-Star games, All-CRBL recognition, and the WBA tournament, the glow of Jim Prince’s dominance is reenergized when looking at the marks he left on the CRBL’s record book.  Nearly 60 years after his last game of league play, Prince is still holding rank at 7th in wins, 10th in winning percentage, 10th in innings pitched, 10th in strikeouts, 5th in ERA, and is tied for 8th in shutouts.

Jan Krueger

Inaugural Class of 2009

Manager

Augusta Athletics 1989-2004

The founder, architect, and fearless leader of the Augusta Athletics, Jan Krueger will forever be remembered for his fiery nature, competitive spirit, and unequivocal dedication to the game of baseball.

Jan was a promising young catcher and pitcher in the late-1970‘s before being rendered a quadriplegic in a swimming accident just days after graduating from Augusta High School.  Krueger’s uniquely determined nature and love of baseball were clearly displayed when less then three years after his accident, he was the driving force behind the founding of what was then known as the Augusta Alumni Team in 1980.

After playing independently through much of the 1980’s, Jan and the Augusta Athletics officially became members of the CRBL and the league’s South Division in 1989.  Their first season was a successful one as they went 9 and 7 and qualified for the WBA.  Over the course of Krueger’s 16-year reign, Augusta developed into a fearsome crew of hard-hitting sluggers and power-armed pitchers.  In total, Jan’s teams won seven Southern Division titles (1992-1995, 1997-1999), captured five CRBL championships (1992,1993,1995,1998,1999), qualified for 15 WBA tournaments (1989,1990, 1992-2004), made six WBA Finals 8’s (1992-1995, 1998, 2002), and proudly claimed one WBA championship (1994).  Augusta’s WBA title in 1994 was the first time since 1953 that a CRBL team had won that elusive prize.

For his managerial league career, Jan ranks 1st in wins with 186, tied for 2nd in games managed with 272, 5th in winning percentage at .684, 2nd in division titles with 7, 2nd in league championships with 5, 2nd in Final 8 appearances with 6, 2nd in WBA wins with 22, and 1st in WBA appearances with 15.

Beyond the numerous championships and countless memories, Jan can forever rest easy knowing that his Augusta Athletics have staked a spot as one of the great franchises in CRBL history.

 

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

(Regular Season)        272      186     86        .684      7                               5

 

(WBA)                   App           G         W        L         Pct.      Final 8’s          WBA CS

                              15             36          22      14        .611      6                      1

 

 

Vic Johnson

Inaugural Class of 2009

Pitcher

Eau Claire Skelly Oilers 1938; Girard’s Hillbillies 1939; Leif’s Conoco Oilers 1953

Simply put, Vic Johnson is the only person in CRBL history to have played in the Major Leagues, doing so with the Boston Red Sox in 1944 and 1945 as well as the Cleveland Indians in 1946.

Playing in what at the time was called the Chippewa Valley Rural League, the left-handed Johnson’s time in league history was brief but memorable.  In 1938, he tied for the league lead in wins (7) and saves (1), while leading the league with a 1.000 percentage (7-0) for the league champion, 12 and 2 Eau Claire Skelly Oilers.  In 1939, he led the league with a 1.91 ERA (7 ER in 33 IP) and authored the third no-hitter in CRBL history, a 10-3 nine-inning job vs. Jim Falls while hurling for Girard’s Hillbillies.

After bouncing between area teams and leagues over the next few seasons, Johnson was signed by the Eau Claire Bears in 1942.  Pitching at a level roughly equivalent to single A, he went 18 and 7 in 1942, making the Northern League’s all-star team.  In 1943, he went a combined 17 and 12 between stops in Louisville, KY and Scranton, PA as he again made an all-star team, this time in the American Association.  His promising development prompted a call-up to the Red Sox of Boston in 1944, where he debuted against the Yankees on May 3rd in a 11-7 Red Sox loss.  He finished his rookie season with a 0-3 record in 7 appearances, 5 games started, and 27.1 innings pitched with 7 strikeouts and a 6.26 ERA.

In 1945, for a 71 and 83 Boston team that finished in 7th place, Vic emerged as one of the main components on the Red Sox pitching staff.  In 26 appearances and 9 starts, Johnson was 6 and 4 with 4 complete games, 2 saves, 1 shutout, 85 innings pitched, 21 strikeouts, and a 4.02 ERA.

The zenith of his pitching career occurred on August 29th, 1945 when he threw a 1-0 shutout  against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.  Incredibly, he threw 16 consecutive scoreless innings against a Yanks team that year which included Major League Hall of Famers Joe DiMaggio, Phil Rizzuto, Joe Gordon, and Bill Dickey.

In 1946, Vic was unexpectedly traded to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for pitcher Jim Bagby and cash.  For the 6th place Tribe, he was 0-1 in 9 appearances, 1 start, and 13.2 innings pitched with 3 K’s and a 9.22 ERA.  He would be sent to the minors by mid-season, with his last game in the majors being on June 11th, 1946.  Johnson would spend over two more years successfully pitching in the minor leagues, in the process notching a no-hitter vs. future Brooklyn Dodger all-star Carl Erskine on May 28th, 1948.  Vic’s 13 and 7 mark from the mound that summer would count as the last tally on his professional resume.

A finesse pitcher who relied on locating his sinker and curveball, Vic Johnson’s final major league numbers are that of 42 appearances, 6 wins, 8 losses, 15 games started, 4 complete games, 2 saves, 126 innings pitched, 152 hits allowed, 60 walks, 31 strikeouts, 1 shutout, and an ERA of 5.07.  During his seven seasons as a minor leaguer, he won 68 games against 58 setbacks for a winning percentage of .540 while piling up 1,012 innings in 215 pitching appearance, 53 as a starter.

Post-professional baseball found Vic playing and managing on several area teams before returning to league play for one season in 1953 with Leif’s Conoco Oilers out of Eau Claire.  As their player/manager, Johnson threw just 2 innings while guiding the young group to an 8-3 record and assisting in the process of getting several Oiler players signed to professional contracts.

Chippewa Falls LumberJacks

The 2024 version of the Chippewa Falls LumberJacks will be looking to continue their successful and rich tradition in the CRBL and Amatuer Baseball with a mix of returning veterans and a number of new additions. Wayne Franz the Organizer and former Manager will be moving to the “Front Office” and Nolan Hutzler will be taking over on the field as our Manager. In the past four years the Jacks have participated in two CRBL Play-Offs including a runner-up finish in 2021, four straight WBA appearances and have an overall record of 72-43.

The Jacks finished the 2023 CRBL Season with a 9-11 record with a number of those losses being in heart-breaking fashion as the ball didn’t always bounce our way during the highly competitive schedule that the CRBL brings each week. Our number one goal in 2024 is to get back in the CRBL Playoff mix and hopefully tack on a title and then turn our sights on making a run in the WBA playoffs. There were many team and individual highlights in 2023 and this included hosting a very successful CRBL All-Star Game at Casper Park which saw a large attendance and a great game which was won 6-4 by the South. Appearing in the game for LumberJacks were starters Nolan Hutzler (SS) and Matt Martineau (2nd) as well as Dylan Waters, Dawson Rice, Caleb Gardow, Dawson Mathwig, and Trevor Franz as substitutes. All of them made significant contributions during the game for the North.

Four LumberJacks were honored at the end of the CRBL Season with league awards and they included All League players Nolan Hutzler (SS) and Jack Bowe (OF) along with Jake Varsho (Honorable Mention 2nd Base) and Trevor Franz (Gold Glove). The Chippewa Falls LumberJacks would like to thank all of our sponsors, fans, media, and support staff for all of their efforts in keeping Amateur Baseball alive and well in Chippewa Falls. Our 2024 season looks to be an exciting one and the expectations are high so come on out to historic Gannon Field/Casper Park to watch us in action. Roll Jacks!

ROSTER: Preston Alger, Cole Bowe, Jack Bowe, Jack Brown, Luke Franz, Trevor Franz, Grady Fredrick, Riley Freid, Caleb Gardow, Mitch Howard, Ryan Krumenauer, Tyson Lucas, Carson Martin, Matt Martineau, Dawson Mathwig, Alex Nelson, Dawson Rice, Christian Schaller, Levi Schaller, Griffin Spindler, Roman Trapani, Blake Trippler, CJ Varsho, Jake Varsho, Dylan Waters

Chippewa Falls LumberJacks 2024 Clothing Order
https://www.storessimple.com/deanandassociates/groups.php
Password: Jacks24

Chippewa Falls LumberJacks Team Pictures - 2024 Season
Chippewa Falls LumberJacks Team Pictures – 2024 Season

 

Sponsors

Casper Park – Chippewa Falls, WI

Chippewa LumberJacks 2024 Season Schedule

DateHomeTime/ResultsAwayField

Chippewa Prides

  • Years in League – 1974-’77
  • 4Seasons
  • All-Time Record 10-43 (.189)

Jim Hoepner

Inaugural Class of 2009

Pitcher, Outfielder

Chippewa Prides 1975-77; Lafayette Lakers 1978-83; Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks 1983-97

A right-handed pitcher, Jim Hoepner used pinpoint control, a sharp curveball, and an unrepentant competitive nature to capture a league record 109 wins during a long and very successful 23-year career.

Despite facing batters swinging metal bats in the hitter friendly parks of Lafayette and Chippewa’s Cardinal Field, Hoepner carved out eight seasons with an ERA of under 3.00.  His low water mark came in 1984, when he led the league with a stifling 1.13 in 55.2 innings.  Set the pace two other years with a 1.73 ERA in 1979 (73 innings) and a 1.98 mark in 1983 (72.1 innings).  In addition to leading the league in ERA three times, he was a strikeout champ twice with totals of 77 in 1985 and 60 in 1991.  Also posted sub-2.00 ERA’s in 1980 (1.94 in 55.2 innings) and 1981 (1.98 in 54.2 innings).  His total of five seasons with an ERA beneath 2.00 is an unmatched league record.

From 1978 to 1991, his seasonal averages were 7 wins, 70 innings thrown, 58 strikeouts, and an accumulative ERA of 2.88.  These totals would have made for a great season, let alone for a 14-year period of being a depended upon ace.

Holds the all-time record for shutouts with 19, leading the league or tying for the league lead in shutouts during seven seasons.  His career high of 4 shutouts in 1984 is tied for the single season mark.

In becoming one of only two pitchers to break the 1,000 inning barrier, Hoepner led the CRBL in this area in 1986 with 80 innings, 1987 with 69 frames, and in 1991 when he notched 78 innings.

On his way to a seemingly unbreakable mark of 109 league wins, Jim was the leader in that category during four years.  His career high of 10 wins against just 1 loss in 1987 tied for the league high.  Also tied for the lead with 6 wins in 1985.  Led the loop outright in 1984 with 8 victories and in 1991 with 7 wins.

Made a habit of helping himself at the plate, gathering 230 hits in 786 at-bats for a career batting average of .293.  Popped out 16 homeruns (high of 4 in 1986) and 51 doubles (high of 6 in 1985).  As a regular, Jim hit .300 or better twelve times, hitting a peak of .432 in 1984 (19 for 44).

A member of six division winners, five league champions, 18 WBA qualifiers, and five Final 8 teams, Hoepner was the unquestioned big game pitcher for the Prides, Lakers, and Lumberjacks.  In his six championship game appearances for the ‘Jacks, Jim was 4 and 1 in 42 innings with 14 strikeouts, 6 walks, 1 save, and an ERA of 4.50.  His complete game shutout in the Lumberjacks’ 12-0 victory over Hallie in the 1987 CRBL title game was an example of his determined pitching style.  In that performance, Jim scattered 10 hits, struck out 1, and did not walk an Eagle batter.

One of only three pitchers in CRBL history to throw two no-hitters, Hopener claimed the 17th and 18th in league play while pitching for Lafayette.  Notched his first as a Laker in a 9-inning, 12-0 decision in 1979 vs. the Jim Falls Sturgeons.  His second came against Tilden in a 1-0, 7-inning gem in 1980.  Combined with fellow Lumberjack Steve Nelson in 1986 to throw one of the four shared no-hitters in league history with a 6-inning, 12-0 win vs. the Cadott Red Sox.

Elected All-CRBL as a pitcher eight times (1979, 1981, 1983-1985, 1987, 1991, 1995) and Honorable Mention three times (1986,1988,1989).  Participated in five All-Star games (1980,1983,1987,1994,1995).