League: Chippewa River Baseball League

Primary League

Ron Cronin

Pitcher, 1st Basemen

Bloomer Pines 1954-55,58-59,61-64,66; Tilden Tigers 1960; Lafayette Indians 1965

Frequently described as “The Big Right-Hander”, Cronin used an unusual side-arm delivery to magnify a blazing fastball in forever making his mark as one of the premier strikeout pitchers in league history.

Racking up a remarkable 1,042 strikeouts in 764.1 innings, he was the “K King” when he retired, and his total still ranks 2nd all-time some 45 years after his last game.  Averaged over 12 strikeouts (12.27) per nine innings, the 3rd all-time highest mark.

Topped the 100 strikeout barrier in a season a league record six times, doing so in 1958 (144 K in 97.1 IP), 1960 (102 K in 96.1 IP), 1961 (143 K in 89.1 IP), 1962 (116 K in 85 IP), 1963 (153 K in 115.1 IP), and 1964 (108 K in 77.1 IP).  Led the Chippewa Valley League in punch-outs four of those years (1958, 1961-1963).  His streak of 5 seasons in a row (1960-1964) with over 100 strikeouts has never and may never matched.   Won 7 or more games six times, leading the league in that category three times (1960, 1962, 1963), with a high of 11 wins in 1963.  His career total of 59 wins still ranks 8th all-time.  Led the then Chippewa Valley League in innings pitched in 1960 and 1963.  Tied for the league lead in shutouts with 1 in 1955 and led the league with 2 in 1962.

Always a long-ball threat during his era, Cronin hit 2 homeruns in a season twice, leading the league with that total in 1963.  That same year, he also led the league with 13 RBI’s.

Played a major role on 4 division winners, helping to turn the tide for Bloomer (1958, 1961, 1963) and Tilden (1960).

Played in eight All-Star games (1955, 1958-1964).  Co-shares the single game league record for innings pitched with 16, doing so in a complete game, 4-1 loss to the Chippewa Falls Triangle Sports in 1958 during which he K’d 22 batters.

Larry Bowe

Pitcher, 1st Baseman

Lafayette Generals 1964; Lafayette Indians 1964-66, 68; Cadott Red Sox 1969-85

Rarely mentioned as one of the league’s great pitchers, the right-handed throwing Bowe burst on to the league scene with the Lafayette Indians during the 1960’s, later turning into a consistent workhorse and veteran presence for the powerhouse Cadott teams of the 1970’s and early 1980’s.

After a modest but winning start to his career, 1969 saw Bowe blow up for 176 strikeouts in 129 innings, despite a 7 and 8 record to go along with a 3.07 ERA.

Larry jumped to the Cadott Red Sox in 1970, where he went 7 and 3 with a 2.70 ERA, 97 strikeouts, and 80 innings pitched while tying for the league lead in saves with 1 and shutouts with 2.  For the Sox in 1971, he racked up 140 K’s in 111.2 innings pitched while going 8 and 5 with a 3.22 ERA.

From 1968 to 1977, Bowe’s yearly averages were that of 6 wins, 74.1 innings pitched, 85 strikeouts, and an ERA of 2.94.  The righty had an ERA under 3.00 seven times, with a low of 2.25 (4 ER/16 IP) in 1978.  Led the league or tied for the lead in saves four times, with a high of 2 in 1978.

Was a member of eight division winners, five league championship teams, sixteen WBA qualifiers, and three Final 8 teams while on the Cadott Red Sox.  Also won a division title and played in the WBA for the 1966 Lafayette Indians.  Individual highlight in these team accomplishments came in 1975 when he threw a complete game six-hitter in Cadott’s 5-2 championship game win vs. Tilden.

Upon induction, ranked 4th all-time in wins with 73, 4th all-time in innings pitched with 881.1, 3rd all-time in strikeouts with 987, and tied for 6th all-time in shutouts with 7.  Twirled the league’s 15th no-hitter in 1976 vs. Tilden, a 8-0 victory that marked the first time Tilden had been no-hit in their long, storied existence.

A full time player for 15 of his 21 years in the league, Larry gradually built up the offensive career totals of 221 hits, 149 RBI’s, and 175 runs scored in 939 at-bats.

Appearing in five All-Star games (1968,1970-1973), Bowe was named co-MVP of the 1973 contest in which he started and pitched 3 scoreless innings for the South in their 6 to 4 loss at Bloomer.  He was elected All-CRBL in 1972 and 1974, the only years in which that honor was awarded prior to it becoming a yearly tradition in 1978.

Roger Bergeron

3rd Baseman, Outfielder, Manager

Jim Falls Nosal 1958; Jim Falls Dairymen 1959-60; Jim Falls Cadets 1961-64; Jim Falls Sturgeons 1965-81

Roger “The Duke” Bergeron spent his entire 24-year league career in Jim Falls, using his left-handed stroke to amass one of the more impressive offensive careers in CRBL history.

Piled up 366 hits in 1,257 at-bats for a career average of .291.  Holds league records for career triples with 14 and single-season triples with 5, set in 1968.  Hit over .300 for eight consecutive seasons, starting his tear at a clip of .362 in 1967 and concluding it at .311 in 1974.  Other .300+ season came in 1965, when he hit .333 (20 for 60).  Had 20 or more hits in a season five times, doing so four years in a row from 1967 to 1970.

In 1968, led the newly named CRBL with 72 at-bats, 22 hits, 5 triples, and tied for the lead in RBI’s with 15 for the 14 and 4 WBA qualifying Sturgeons.  Followed that in 1969 with possibly his finest season when he led the league in batting average at .378 (28 for 74), hits with 28, triples with 3, RBI’s with 22, and runs scored with 19.

Steered the ship as manager of the Jim Falls Sturgeons from 1971 to 1979, a nine season period considered to be one of the best eras in franchise history.  Playing at Jim Falls‘ famous field, Roger and the Sturgeons captured a division title and played for the league championship in 1973.  The Bergeron led Jim Falls squad qualified for the WBA three times (1972, 1973, 1975), and made the Final 8 twice (1972 & 1975).

Appeared in eight All-Star games (1961-1965, 1968, 1970,1971).  Elected All-CRBL in 1972.  First player in league history to reach 50 doubles, 300 hits, and 1,000 at-bats in a career.  Retired as the all-time leader in games played, at-bats, hits, singles, doubles, triples, RBI’s, runs scored, walks, and total bases.

Frank Atkinson

Shortstop, Pitcher

Jim Falls Nosal 1958; Jim Falls Dairymen 1960; Jim Falls Cadets 1961-64; Jim Falls Sturgeons 1965-69, 71-77;

Jim Falls Mobile 1970

A standout shortstop and a reliable relief pitcher, Atkinson spent his entire 19-year league career playing for five different teams in Jim Falls.

The bulk of his time and greatest success came with the Sturgeons, as he helped them win division crowns in 1967 and 1973, and qualify for the WBA in 1967, 1968, 1972, 1973, and 1975.

Hit .300 or better in 10 seasons, doing so consecutively in his last seven years of play, during which he averaged 20 hits a year and hit an accumulative .374. Won back to back batting titles in 1975 at .462 (24 for 52) and 1976 at .438 (21 for 48).  Led the league in hits with 24 in 1975, doubles with 5 in 1974, and tied for the league lead in triples with 2 three times (1963,1967,1975).  Still tied for 2nd all-time in triples with 11.

Led the league in runs scored with 16 in 1974 and 14 in 1975, stolen bases with 10 in 1968, and tied for the league lead or led the league in walks three times (1969,1971,1975) with a high of 19 free passes in 1971.  Ranks 5th all-time in stolen bases with 77, leading the league with 10 bags in 1968.  Topped the 20 hit mark a total of five times.

From the slab, knuckleballing Atkinson led the league with a career high 4 saves in 1975, tying for the league lead in that category five times previously.  Captured an ERA title in 1965 with a mark of 2.22 (7 ER in 28.1 IP) and again in 1973 with a miniscule 0.52 ERA (1 ER in 17.1 IP).  His career total of 15 saves currently ranks 3rd all-time.

A participant in 10 All-Star games (1961,1963-1968,1971-1973), Frank was named the game’s MVP in 1965 when he went 2-for-2 with a double, RBI, and some flashy defensive plays in the East’s 4-0 win over the West.  Playing in the era before yearly All-CRBL teams, the right-handed swinging Atkinson was the first league player to collect over 300 hits and compile over 200 innings pitched. Undoubtedly, Frank will be remembered as one of the best players to ever represent Jim Falls in league competition.

 

Bloomer Woodticks

The Bloomer Woodticks are gearing up for the 2025 season! Founded in 1927 , the Bloomer Woodticks have become an integral part of the community and are proud to represent the town of Bloomer with teamwork and good sportsmanship! With a mix of veteran players and promising newcomers, the Fightin’ Woodticks are looking forward to hitting the field with fresh energy and determination this season.

ROSTER:  Brent Sarauer, Cole Hansen, Cole Schwab, Connor Hicks, Collin Crane, Connor Crane, Corey Poirier, Curtis Dachel, Curtis Neskar, Jackson Simmons, Jake Malinowski, Jay Ryder, Jeremiah Campbell, Jesse Urbanek, Keagan Yohnk, Matt Schley, Marcus Harelstad, Nolan Wysocki, Patrick Callaghan, Sean Hurt, Thomas Stoffel, Truman Lokken

Sponsors

Bloomer Woodtick 2025 Season Schedule

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Augusta Athletics

The Augusta Athletics baseball organization announced today they are entering their third season with renewed optimism and higher aspirations, retaining a strong core of veteran players (Cody & JJ Breaker, Logan Brown, Cole Stensen, Brennan King, Nolan Taylor, Jacob & Aiden Rosemeyer) who have been with the team since its inception.

After two formative seasons establishing their presence in the league, the Athletics have focused on continuity and growth, keeping key talent while incorporating valuable lessons learned during their developmental years.

“What makes this season special is the chemistry we’ve built over the past two years,” said Manager Byron King, who is entering his third season with the club. “Our returning players bring not just talent, but a deep understanding of our system and each other’s playing styles.”

The A’s emphasized that roster stability was a priority during the offseason, allowing the team to focus on refinement rather than rebuilding. Several players who have been with the organization since day one will return to anchor both the batting lineup (JJ Breaker, Logan Brown) and pitching rotation (Chris Komanec, JJ Breaker). The A’s are also welcoming a couple players from the EC Riverman, who folded this off season.

The A’s will continue to play on Jan Krueger Diamond at Memorial Field in Augusta and we look forward to seeing everyone at the field this summer!

ROSTER: Brennan King, Nolan Taylor, JJ Breaker, Cody Breaker, Cole Stensen, Logan Brown , Alec Lyle, Jakob Rosemeyer, Aiden Rosemeyer, Ashton Oliver, Brice Shimon, Chris Komaniac, Haydn Gustifison, Tanner Walker, Joe Myrold, Wyatt Draves, Kaden Alexander

Augusta Athletics Team Photo - 2023

Sponsors

Jan Krueger Memorial Field – Augusta, WI

Augusta Athletics 2025 Season Schedule

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Beef River Bullfrogs

The 2024 Bullfrogs season was a big step in the right direction despite only winning 5 games. The Frogs earned their first trip to the WBA playoffs since 2018 and secured a victory over the Tri-County Timberjaxx before falling to Rib Lake. The Frogs return about their entire roster from the 2024 season. Taylor Rathke begins his 10th season with the Bullfrogs, and 3rd season as a Manager. Will Thibodeau, Mason Bauer, Ryan Gray and Kyle Maug are among the core that return to the Frogs lineup this season. On the Mound, the arms remain similar to years past. Wes Boyarski, Ethan Bartels, and George Munson will pace the staff. We also welcome Jonah Mueller and Hank Munson, who will be making their Bullfrogs debut this year. We are excited to get the 2025 season rolling in Strum!

ROSTER: Austin Baker, Mason Bauer, Ethan Bartels, Justin Becker, Wesley Boyarski, Colin Boyarski, Dylan Fox, Ryan Gray, Carter Johnson, Reese Lucas, Kyle Maug, Ethan Maug, Jonah Mueller, George Munson, Hank Munson, Taylor Rathke, Will Seymour, Storm Standiford, Will Thibodeau, Chase Williams, Preston Benedict (Coach)

Sponsors

Spanberg Field – Strum, WI

Beef River Bullfrogs 2025 Season Schedule

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