Roger Nosal

Class of 2024

Pitcher

Jim Falls Dairymen 1960; Jim Falls Cadets 1961-64; Jim Falls Sturgeons 1965-69, 70

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One of the best pitchers of the Chippewa Valley League era, lefty Roger “Scooter” Nosal was a big strikeout, high innings workhorse for Jim Falls teams throughout the 1960s.

After playing in a part-time role his first three seasons, Nosal emerged as an ace in 1963 for the Jim Falls Cadets.  In 90 innings of work that year, Roger struck out 86 batters, claiming a record of 6 and 5 while leading the CVL with both a 2.70 ERA and 3 shutouts.  The following season of 1964, Nosal tied for the league lead with 8 wins (against 2 losses) as well as a winning pct. of .800 across 89 innings of work.  

When the Jim Falls Sturgeons began to play in 1965, Roger put together a monumental season, pacing the CVL with 101.2 innings pitched while striking out 125 hitters and staking a record of 6 and 6 for the embryonic franchise.  

His other CVL leading total came in 1966 when he led the league with 95 innings, within which he whiffed 91 batters, posted a 2.18 ERA, and had a 5 and 4 record in yet another awesome season.

Scooter was also an athletic outfielder and solid bat, evident in that he paced the CVL with 3 triples in 1964.  That same season, he hit two home runs and drove in 16 RBIs in just 11 games for the Jim Fall Cadets. Over his 11-season career, he wrapped a total of 7 triples within his 114 hits.  

Nosal’s talents helped the Sturgeons qualify for the WBA tournament in 1967, 1968, and 1975, while also getting a share of the North Division title in 1967.  

Competing in a period before CRBL awards, Roger played in five All-Star games – 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967, and 1968.  In the 1964 CVL All-Star classic, Nosal shined as he was named the game’s MVP.  In leading the East Division to a 9-8 victory over the West Division, Roger was the winning pitcher in relief (3.1 IP, 2 ER, 1 K) and went 1-for-2 with a huge, go-ahead grand slam in the top of the ninth inning for the East.

Upon induction, Nosal is ranked all-time in triples (tied for 22nd).  As a pitcher, the Lefty’s rankings can be found in ERA (19th), innings per season (16th), innings pitched (20th), strikeouts (23rd), decisions (tied for 27th), shutouts (tied for 31st), wins (tied for 33rd), and K/9 IP (39th).