Position: Pitcher

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).     

Steve Nelson

Class of 2024

Utility, Pitcher

Jim Falls Saints 1980-86; Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks 1987-90; Jim Falls Sturgeons 1991-93, 95-98, 

2013-14, 16-18; Tilden Tigers 2006-11

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One of the best all-around performers in CRBL history, Steve Nelson was a right-handed, two-way player who possessed a smooth and powerful swing, as well as a fluid and effortless delivery from the mound.

During a 29-season career in the CRBL that spanned over 40 years, “Pickle” was a dynamic hitting and pitching difference maker.  Moreover, when he wasn’t on the mound, he was often behind the plate, earning a reputation as a strong-armed, defensively talented catcher.  

Playing his first seven seasons for the Jim Falls Saints, Steve was a career .340 hitter across 1,000+ at-bats, hitting over .300 in 12 campaigns, including 11 seasons in a row from 1981 through 1991.  In four of those years, he hit .400 or better, with a personal best of .481 in 1984 (26 for 54).  Admirably, Steve also acted as player/manager for the Saints from 1981 to 1985.  

A consistent power threat, Nelson belted a league-leading 9 homeruns in 1986 to headline his other CRBL-leading totals of 32 RBIs and 29 runs scored in that year.  He also paced the CRBL in at-bats (70) and hits (29) in 1987, as well as doubles (10) and runs scored (26) in 1989.

On the mound, Pickle was known for his alchemy-like abilities to make the ball sink and run with command.  It wasn’t, however, until 1988 – his ninth season in the CRBL – that Nelson had extended time as a pitcher.  Chucking for the Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks, Steve went 6 and 2 over 48.1 innings with an ERA of 2.42 while leading the league in saves (1) and shutouts (2).  Nelson’s best season from the hill came for the Jim Falls Sturgeons in 1995 when he paced the CRBL with 85 innings, 9 wins, and 74 punch-outs.

After taking a break from CRBL play from 1999 to 2005, the Smooth Righty came back to roam with the Tilden Tigers from 2006 to 2011.  Steve then swam back to the Jim Falls Sturgeons in 2013, concluding his outstanding career after the 2018 season.  

Of course, Nelson’s talents resulted in a great deal of team success.  In total, he was a major contributor to five CRBL champions, five division winners, 13 WBA qualifiers, as well as three WBA Finals qualifiers.  In another testament to his longevity, Steve was named game MVP in two CRBL title contests, 19 years apart – 1988 with the Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks and again in 2007 with the Tilden Tigers. 

A 12-time CRBL All-Star, Nelson was also named Honorable Mention All-CRBL three times (2007 – P, 2011 – P, 2018 – C), as well as All-CRBL six times (1984 – C, 1986 – C, 1988 – P, 1989 – UT, 1991 – P, 1995 – P).  Upon induction, his diverse talents are evident in his all-time rankings.  As a hitter, he is ranked 8th in games played, (tied) 12th in doubles, 15th in runs scored, 16th in total bases, 17th in total bases, 18th in RBIs, 18th in home runs, 22nd in hits, 22nd in singles, 22nd in triples, 24th in OPS, 24th in at-bats, 24th in games played, 25th in walks, 27th in slugging pct., 37th in OBP., and 38th in batting avg.

As a pitcher, his all-time marks can be found in decisions (tied for 16th), wins (19th), innings pitched (tied for 22nd), strikeouts (30th), and winning percentage (41st).                     

Randy Gustafson

Class of 2024

Utility, Pitcher – Lafayette Lakers 1997-98; Stanley Loggers 1999-2002; Stanley Slammers 2012-17

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A left-handed batter who possessed superior bat control and a disciplined eye at the plate. Randy Gustafson was an extremely respected player throughout his 12 seasons of competition in the Chippewa River Baseball League.

Beginning with the Lafayette Lakers in 1997, Gustafson hit .327 (18 for 55) in his CRBL rookie year.  That mark was the first of 11 seasons in which Randy would hit .300 or better.  In two of those seasons, he hit over .400, doing so for the Stanley Loggers in 2001 (.458 – 22 for 48) and 2002 (.400 – 16 for 40).  

Commendably, Randy also served as a player/manager for five seasons, doing so for the Lakers from 1997 to 1998 and the Slammers from 1999 to 2002, during which he led the 1999 Slammers to their lone WBA appearance with a 13 and 5 record.     

After a 10-year absence from CRBL competition, Gustafson returned with the fledgling Stanley Slammers in 2012.  With his bat-to-ball skills as sharp as ever, Randy hit .330 or better in each of his six seasons on the club, including a personal best of .556 (20 for 36) in 2016.

Combined with his batsmen skills, Gustafson’s eagle-eye at the plate enabled him to have a career on base percentage of .502.  In seven different seasons, Randy had 10 or more walks, with a high on 19 in 2012.

A reliable left-handed pitcher, Randy logged 446 innings while winning 22 games over his CRBL career.  In three seasons, Gustafson pitched over 50 innings, with a high of 56 for the Slammers in 2013.  

A participant in one CRBL All-Star game (1998), the high regard shown towards Gustafson was evident in his array of accolades — three Honorable Mention CRBL awards as a pitcher/1st baseman (2002, 2012, 2016) and four All-CRBL selections: 1997 at utility, 1999 at utility, 2014 at utility, and 2016 at designated hitter.

Upon induction, the Great Slammer is ranked 5th all-time in on base percentage, 9th in batting average, 11th in OPS., 34th in slugging pct., (tied) 38th in pitching decisions, 41st in innings pitched, and (tied) 41st in walks as a hitter.

Mark Gannon

Class of 2024

Pitcher- Lafayette Lakers 1990-95; Hallie Eagles 1996-2002

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A left-handed thrower, Mark Gannon was one of the most durable and consistent pitchers of his era, providing his teams with a resilient arm and an ever-present competitiveness each time he took the mound.

Renowned for working the corners of the plate and making hitters get themselves out, Gannon began his CRBL career with the Lafayette Lakers in 1990.  After throwing a combined 121.1 innings in his first three seasons, Mark led the league with 93 innings in 1993.  He eclipsed that total with an incredible 100.1 innings pitched in 1994, leading the CRBL once again in that category for the Lakers while also tying for the circuit lead in wins with 9.  By eclipsing the 100-inning barrier in 1994, Lefty became the first CRBL pitcher since 1979 to accomplish the feat.  More impressively, as of 2023, no CRBL pitcher since Gannon in 1994 has been able to crack the elusive century number for innings pitched in one season – a span of 29 seasons and counting. Over his career, Gannon pitched 13 seasons in the CRBL, exceeding the 50-inning barrier nine times.

In 1996, Mark became a Hallie Eagle, and again led the CRBL in innings pitched with 52.2, while also going 5 and 2 with a 3.25 ERA and twirling one of the four shutouts in league play that year.  His big debut season for Hallie helped the Eagles win the South Division, on their way to defeating the Tilden Tigers 11-7 in the CRBL title bout.    

A participant in nine CRBL All-Star games, (1991 to 1997, 2000 to 2001), Gannon was named Honorable Mention All-CRBL as a pitcher in 1992.  Accordingly, for his Iron Man efforts in 1993 and 1994, he was also named All-CRBL as a pitcher in each of those campaigns.  

Upon induction, the Lefty’s all-time pitching rankings can be found in decisions (11th), innings pitched (11th), innings per season (13th), wins (tied for 27th), and strikeouts (34th).  

Reggie Franz

Class of 2023

Pitcher, Utility

Cooks Valley Hayshakers 1981-82; Tilden Tigers 1983-88,91-93; Hallie Eagles 1989; Beef River Bullfrogs 1996, 9


  • 3-time All-CRBL: 1984, 1985, and 1992 – -all as a pitcher.
  • Honorable Mention All-CRBL selection in 1986 as a pitcher.
  • 2-time All-Star game — 1985, 92.
  • Led the CRBL twice, winning percentage three times, innings pitched once, strikeouts once, saves once, and shutouts once.
  • Had a career high in wins in 1992, going 9 and 0 for the Tilden Tigers.

Wally Beranek

Class of 2023

Pitcher, Infielder

Lafayette 1932-34; Lafayette Needles 1935-37; Woldt’s Red Bords 1938


  • One of the premier pitchers in the league during the 1930s.
  • Led the league In ERA twice, winning percentage twice, saves twice, shutouts once, and wins once.
  • A career .312 hitter, he led the league in runs and stolen bases in 1932.
  • Still ranks second all-time in innings pitched per season with 73.62.
  • Threw a remarkable 121 innings in 1933.

Brad Barneson

Class of 2022

1st Baseman, Pitcher

Beef River Bullfrogs 1997-2015


An excellent right-handed hitter and durable left-handed pitcher, Brad Barneson was a vital part of Beef River’s high-scoring and successful teams throughout his standout, 19-season career in the CRBL. Hitting from a slightly closed stance, Barneson used a powerful and compact swing to generate the booming doubles and soaring home runs that were trademarks of the Bullfrogs’ notoriously strong offensive attack. Exceeding the .300 mark in 13 of his 19 seasons, “Barney” captured a batting crown in 2003 when he hit an astonishing .521 (37 for 71) while also leading the CRBL in hits with 37 and RBI’s with 28. Averaging 2.06 hits per game for the 13 and 5 Bullfrogs, Brad’s awesome season helped propel Beef River to a South Division title as well the 2003 CRBL championship game where they vanquished the Tilden Tigers at Tilden 14 to 8 to win the ‘Frogs first CRBL crown. Barneson’s hitting abilities also helped him capture several other league pacing totals, including 2001 when he led the CRBL in RBI’s (17) while tying for the lead in hits (23) and doubles (6). Moreover, in 2005 he led the CRBL in at-bats with 78 in and tied for the lead in doubles with 7. A slick-fielding 1st baseman, Barneson was also a dependable workhorse pitcher for the Bullfrogs. Logging over 40 innings in five different seasons, the lefty had a career best 56.1 innings in 2002 while winning 4 games, the first of four seasons when he won 4 or more contests. His career high in wins came in 2007 when he tied for the CRBL lead with 6 victories. In addition to the 2003 CRBL championship, Barney and the Bullfrogs also won the South Division in 2001 and qualified for nine WBA tournaments, the culmination of which came in 2011 when Beef River lost 9-8 to River Falls in the WBA title game at Coon Valley. A decorated player, Brad played in six CRBL All-Star games (1998, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009) and was selected All-CRBL four times: 2001 (UT), 2002 (UT), 2003 (1B) and 2007 (UT). In five other seasons, the Beef River legend was an Honorable Mention All-CRBL choice: 1998 (1B), 2000 (1B), 2004 (UT), 2005 (1B) and 2013 (1B/P). Upon induction, Barneson’s all-time rankings are numerous. From the mound, Brad is ranked 29th in decisions, [tied] for 40th in wins and 43rd for innings pitched. At the plate, the slugger is [tied] for 8th in triples, [tied] for 13th in total bases, 15th in hits, 15th in RBI’S, [tied] for 17th in singles, [tied] for 18th in doubles, [tied] for 18th in home runs, 22nd in at-bats, 25th in runs scored, 34th in slugging percentage, 35th in batting average and 44th in OPS.

Jon Huth

Class of 2021

Pitcher
Eau Claire Bears 2005-13


During a highly accomplished amateur baseball career that encompassed over 30 seasons across five decades, Jon Huth spent nine of those seasons with the Eau Claire Bears, securing his place as one of the truly elite power pitchers in CRBL history.

A former professional pitcher, Huth was a 31st round draft pick of the Texas Rangers, spending a season in rookie ball with the Rangers in his draft year of 1988 and then a season at the mid-A level with the Kansas City Royals in 1989.

The flame throwing righty’s professional experience was bookended by an 11-season career (1987-1997) for the Eau Claire Cavaliers within an era of national prominence for that respected organization. While toeing the slab for the Cavaliers, Jon notched a won-loss record of 44 and 13 (.772 win pct.) while also securing 13 saves.

After pitching for several amateur teams around the upper Midwest in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Huth debuted with the Eau Claire Bears in 2005 at the age of 37. With the addition of the Big Righty, Eau Claire quickly rose to an unmatched levels of competiveness and success. Over the duration of Jon’s nine CRBL seasons, the Bears won six consecutive South Divisions (2005 to 2010), four CRBL crowns (2005, 2006, 2008, 2009), and two WBA titles (2005 and 2009).

In Eau Claire’s 17 to 2 dispatching of Tilden in the 2005 CRBL championship, Huth was named game MVP. In his 7 innings as the starting and winning pitcher, Jon allowed just one unearned run while striking out 8, scattering 8 hits, and walking not one batter.

As of 2021, Jon is one of only eight pitchers to twirl multiple no-hitters, with his “no-no’s” occurring in back-to-back seasons: 2007 vs. the Whitehall Wolves in an 11-0, 6-inning Bear’s victory and then again in 2008 during a 10-0, 5-inning win vs. the Jim Falls Sturgeons.

The dominant stuff possessed by the Bears’ righty is further exhibited in his CRBL season leading totals. In three campaigns, Jon was the league’s ERA leader, pacing the circuit in 2005 (2.20 ERA, 11 ER/45 IP), 2009 (0.45 ERA, 1 ER/20 IP), and 2012 (0.73 ERA, 2 ER/24.2 IP). He also had two seasons with the highest winning percentage of 1.000 (5 and 0 in both 2006 and 2008), as well as two years with the most shutouts – 2006 (tied for the league lead with 2) and 2007 (alone in the top spot with 2).

A participant in two All-Star games (2007 and 2009), Huth was named All-CRBL pitcher in four consecutive campaigns: 2005 (unanimously), 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Upon induction, The Great Bear reigns as the CRBL’s all-time ERA king. Huth is also ranked highly in shutouts (tied for 9th), winning percentage (10th), K/9 IP (19th), and wins (45th).

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Todd Bresina

Class of 2020

2nd Base, Pitcher, Manager

Tilden Tigers 1989-2014
MGR: 2004-11


Todd Bresina’s 26 seasons of competition in the CRBL were shaped as a sure-handed 2nd baseman and steady contact hitter, as well as manager of Tilden’s veteran teams of the late 2000s. More than any other attribute, however, “Breeze” will be remembered as one of the elite pitchers of his era, dominating opponents with pinpoint control and his signature, wipe out slider.

A valuable contributor in Tilden’s deep and accomplished line-up, the right-handed swinging Bresina sported a .300+ batting average in nine of his 24 full-time CRBL seasons on his way to rapping 348 career hits.

In adeptly manning the keystone position, Breeze teamed with fellow CRBL Hall of Famer Mitch Steinmetz for 24 seasons to form the longest running, most accomplished double play combo within the prism of CRBL history.

From the mound, Todd was a highly respected closer and spot starter for the Tilden dynasty. With a smothering arsenal of velocity, command and a jackknife slider, Breeze locked down game after game in becoming the CRBL’s all-time leader in saves with 27. Leading or tying for the CRBL lead in saves a record eight seasons (1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2007, 2010, 2012), Bresina diversely won 4 or more games seven times, with a high of 6 wins twice (2003 and 2004). The righty’s pitching superiority also enabled him to tie or lead the CRBL in shutouts three times (2000, 2003, 2004) and claim the ERA crown twice (1998 and 2008). His league leading mark of 0.58 (2 ER/30.2 IP) in 1998 is even more impressive when framed within that era’s fabric of “-5” aluminum bats wielded in many a cozy, hitter friendly parks.

Dutifully taking the reigns as manager of the Tilden Tigers in 2004, Todd led the Bengal crew through 2011. During those eight seasons, Bresina guided his veteran squad to five North Division titles (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011), two CRBL championships (2007, 2011), eight straight WBA appearances, three Final 8’s (2004, 2005, 2008), and a WBA crown in 2004. In winning the WBA tourney in 2004, it marked the storied franchise’s 2nd WBA title, with the first coming in 1995.

Recognition and awards were plentiful for Breeze throughout his stellar career. A participant in four All-Star games (1989, 1991, 2004, 2009), he was named Honorable Mention All-CRBL at 2nd base in 2012 and bestowed All-CRBL accolades in seven seasons: 1991 (2B), 1998 (P), 2003 (P), 2004 (P), 2005 (P), 2006 (P), and 2010 (utility). At the WBA level, Todd was named Most Valuable Pitcher of the Final 8 in 2002 after being drafted by the Augusta Athletics.

Upon induction, Bresina’s all-time rankings can be found across numerous categories. Offensively, Todd is (tied for) 9th in at-bats, 11th in singles, 12th in games played, (tied for) 19th in runs scored, 21st in hits, 23rd in walks, 31st in total bases, (tied for) 37th in RBI’s, (tied for) 42nd in doubles, and (tied for) 42nd in stolen bases.

Managerially, his tour as Tilden skipper finds him ranked all-time in division titles (tied for 3rd), Final 8 appearances (tied for 5th), WBA wins (6th), winning percentage (6th), WBA appearances (8th), CRBL titles (tied for 8th), and wins (tied for 12th). Moreover, Todd is one of only eight CRBL managers to win a WBA title.

Accordingly, the memorable righty’s excellence from the mound is illuminated in his lofty, all-time rankings. Categorially, Breeze ranks 1st in saves 7th in shutouts, 12th in wins, 17th in strikeouts, 19th in innings pitched, 20th in ERA, 22nd in decisions, 24th in winning percentage, and 44th in strikeouts per innings pitched.

Nick Blair

Class of 2018

Pitcher, Designated Hitter

Tilden Tigers 1998-2011


A hard throwing right-hander and tough right-handed hitter, Nick Blair was a respected and winning player throughout his 14 seasons of play in the CRBL, all with the tradition rich Tigers of Tilden.

The righty’s 1998 arrival gave Tilden a power arm that fortified the Tigers’ established strengths of excellent pitching and rock solid defense. Blaire shined in his first full-time campaign in 1999, going 6 and 1 from the hill with 52 strikeouts in 64.2 innings and an ERA of 2.92 while leading the CRBL in saves with 2 and shutouts with 2. Accordingly, Nick was voted All-CRBL as a pitcher.

Blair came backin 2000 with perhaps his best all-around season. In shouldering a career high 70.2 innings, Nick led the CRBL with 7 wins (against 2 losses), while punching out 45 and holding a 3.31 ERA. The stalwart performance coincided with his first full-time season as a hitter, one in which he hit .370 (17 for 46) for Tilden. Rightfully, Nick was voted All-CRBL at pitcher for the second year in a row.

Blair’s .370 average in 2000 was the first of five consecutive seasons (2000-2004), in which he went above .300. He also surpassed .300 in 2007 when he hit .341 (15 for 44). A consistent run producer, Nick drove in more than 10 runs five times (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007) with a high of 16 RBI’s twice (2003 and 2006).

Despite his productivity at the plate, it is indeed as a pitcher where Blaire will be most remembered. Never one to shy away from taking the ball, the right-hander hurler averaged 55 innings per season from 1999 to 2005, notching his tow other league leading totals in that stretch when in 2004, he paced the CRBL in wins (7) and winning percentage (.875, 7 wins and 1 loss).

Nick’s willingness to take the ball was evident in that he pitched in one CRBL championship series (1999, appearing in both games) and six CRBL championship contests (2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006) for the Tigers. Capturing MVP honors in the 2002 title match, he was the winning pitcher (8.1 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 H, 5 BB, 4 K) in Tilden’s 4-2 victory over the Bears at Carson Park.

Blair and the Tigers enjoyed a plethora of success during their 14 seasons together, including three CRBL championships (2002, 2007, 2011), ten North Division crowns, 14 WBA appearances, two WBA championship games (2000 and 2004) and one WBA crown (2004).

In addtion to 1999 and 2000, Nick also was bestowed All-CRBL awards in 2001 (pitcher), 2003 (pitcher), 2004 (pitcher), 2006 (designated hitter, retroactively given in 2017) and 2007 (designated hitter, retroactively given in 2017). In total, Blair garnered seven All-CRBL awards in his 14 seasons, a telling sign of how the Big Tiger was viewed by his CRBL contemporaries.

In conjuction with those seven All-CRBL awards, Blair was given honorable mention All-CRBL awards in 2001 (utility) and 2005 (pitcher). For good measure, he participated in four all-star games (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004).

Upon induction, Nick Blair’s highest all-time rankings are from the mound where he is tied for 19th in winning percentage, tied for 20th in wins, tied for 24th in saves, tied for 33rd in decisions, and soley at 33rd for innings pitched.