Profile coming soon
Position: Coach
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.
George Farmer
Class of 2018
Manager:
Eau Claire Twin City Sports 1961-70
Eau Claire Classic Baseball League 1961-65
Chippewa Valley League 1966-68; Pierce-Pepin County Baseball League 1969-70
As manager of the Eau Claire Twin City Sports, George Farmer directed one of the most successful organizations and teams in the rich history of the CRBL. In doing so, he created an admirable legacy of being a selfless promoter, tireless organizer and proud advocate for amateur baseball in northwest Wisconsin.
One of the driving forces behind the creation of the Eau Claire Classic Baseball League (1960-65), Farmer began his time with the Twin City Sports in 1960 as their business manager. In 1961, George took on the demanding dual role of business manager as well as field skipper, essentially running the entire Twin City Sports’ operation on his own. It is a role he would flourish in until his last year with the club in 1970.
During his 10 seasons at the helm of the Sports’ crew, Farmer compiled a resounding and enviable record of achievement and service across three amateur baseball leagues. In league battles, George’s Twin City Sports won two Eau Claire Classic Baseball League championships (1964 and 1965), lost in an ECCBL championship game (1961), claimed one Pierce-Pepin County League crown (1969) and went 21 and 12 in three seasons of play (1966, 1967, 1968) in the Chippewa Valley League, the forerunner to the current day Chippewa River Baseball league.
Within the unforgiving WBA tournament, the Sports enjoyed an incredible amount of success, playing in the WBA during each of Farmer’s ten seasons as manager (1961-70). During those appearances, Twin City survived to play in five Final 8’s (1962, 1963, 1964, 1968, 1970), made it to three WBA championship games (1963, 1964, 1970) and one WBA championship series (1968). In 1964, Farmer’s squad captured their lone WBA title when they beat the Pepin Lakers 9-3 in the title game at Milltown.
While leading Eau Claire through this exemplary run of success, George secured three WBA Finals to be hosted at Eau Claire’s Carson Park (1967, 1968, 1970) as well as three WBA regionals (1967, 1968, 1970). In the process, he accomplished the demanding and unique feat of hosting both a WBA regional and final in the same season, doing so at Carson Park in 1970.
From a historical perspective, Mr. Farmer should be remembered with appreciation for being a strong, unabashed and persistent advocate for the immeasurable benefits and qualities that amateur baseball can provide to its participants and supporting communities.
Plainly stated, George’s achievements on and off the field as a manager, organizer and promoter have been – and will be – matched by very few throughout the CRBL’s long and winding existence. With his induction, George Farmer rightly takes his place as one of the Chippewa River Baseball League’s all-time greats.
Managerial Record: G W L Pct. Division Titles League CS
Combined ECCBL, 140 95 45 .679 1 3
CVL, & PPCBL
(WBA) App G W L Pct. Final 8’s WBA CS
Combined ECCBL, 10 29 18 11 .621 5 1
CVL, & PPCBL
Art Zwiefelhofer
Class of 2019
Player: Howard Braves 1961-64; Tilden Tigers 1965-83
Player/Manager: Tilden Tigers 1980, 82-83
CRBL Umpire: 1984-2018
Recalled as an accomplished player and well known as a highly respected umpire, few people have done more for the betterment and stability of the Chippewa River Baseball League than one Art Zwiefelhofer.
Breaking in to the Chippewa Valley League in 1961, Art became known as a slick fielding and ultra-competitive shortstop for the Howard Braves. In 1965, Zwiefelhofer joined the Tigers of Tilden, where he became synonymous with the Tigers’ hard driving, winning style of baseball built on clutch hitting, outstanding pitching, and consistent defensive play.
In his 19 seasons in Tilden, Art was part of 9 division titles, 9 league championships, 14 WBA tournaments, and 5 WBA Final 8’s. A consistent and dedicated player, Zwiefelhofer led or tied for the league lead in walks four times (1973, 1974, 1980, 1981), with a career high of 23 in 1981. His other league pacing total came in runs scored (18 in 1970) and home runs (tied for the lead with 3 in 1976).
Toeing the rubber early in his playing career, the righty notched 46.1 innings for Howard in 1963. For the Tigers, he had 3 saves in 1968, a year after leading the league in saves with 1 in 1967.
Art also dutifully managed Tilden for three seasons (1980, 1982-83), winning two North Division titles and gaining entry to two WBA tournaments.
From his 23 seasons of league play, Art is ranked all-time in stolen bases (7th), walks (9th), at-bats (14th), seasons played (16th), runs scored (tied for 17th), games played (19th), singles (tied for 22nd), hits (28th), RBI’s (tied for 29th), total bases (33rd), and home runs (tied for 43rd). From his days as a pitcher, he is still ranked in saves (tied for 38th).
Beyond his enduring and successful playing career, Art is best known for his time as an umpire in the CRBL and the WBA. Sincere, knowledgeable, relatable and fair, Zwiefelhofer umpired over 800 CRBL and WBA games from 1984 to 2018, a span of 35 years. Exhibiting a unique “player’s perspective” as an umpire, Art was instrumental in formulating the CRBL Umpire Association in 1993, adding much needed stability and structure to the assignment and oversight of umpires across the league. Naturally, Art became the Head Umpire within the Association, a position he still proudly holds in to his Hall of Fame induction.
The Chippewa River Baseball League owes an immense debt of gratitude and thanks to Mr. Art Zwiefelhofer. It is with heartfelt respect that we proudly recognize him as one of the largest and most influential people the CRBL will ever know. Thank you Art!
George Jackson
Class of 2019
Pitcher, Outfield & Manager
Player: Lafeyette 1946; Rainbow Gardens Gardeners 1947, 53-54; Cadott Lions 1950-52, 56; Cadott Red Sox 1960, 67-68
Manager: Cadott Lions 1956; Cadott Red Sox 1957-60, 62-64, 68-70, 79
A baseball lifer and longtime supporter of baseball in the Cadott area, George Jackson’s league career stretched across 33 years, four different teams, and the roles of both player and manager.
Getting his start for Rainbow Gardens in 1946, George was the featured thrower for the Gardeners in the first two years of post-World War II baseball in the Chippewa Valley. His career year came in 1947 when he led the then “Chippewa Valley League” with the healthy totals of 109.1 innings pitched and 104 strikeouts while going 9 and 3 from the mound with a 3.29 ERA for the 10 and 4 Gardeners.
After a three-year hiatus, George returned to C.V.L. play in 1950 for the 1st year Cadott Lions, settling in to a role as a consistent hitter and reliable innings eater from the mound. Over a broadly spaced, 11-year league playing career, Jackson gathered 112 hits while logging 308.1 innings, averaging 8.09 K’s per nine innings pitched with a career record of 19 wins and 14 losses.
Beyond his time as a player, Jackson’s greater impact came as both a manager of Cadott teams and ardent supporter of baseball in the Cadott area. Managing a total of twelve seasons over 23 years, George’s first campaign as skipper came in 1956 with the Cadott Lions.
In 1957, Jackson managed and helped organize the inaugural year of play for the Cadott Red Sox. Going 15 and 3, the first year Sox captured the Chippewa Valley League championship and qualified for the WBA.
In 1958, George led Cadott to a perfect 10 and 0 season, a South Division title (there was no league championship that year), and a spot in the WBA. As of 2019, the 1958 Sox are still one of only seven teams in CRBL history to finish a league season undefeated.
Fast forward to 1962, Mr. Jackson’s Red Sox captured another South Division crown and survived to play in the franchise’s first WBA Final 8, where the Sox lost their second game in the Finals to Brill at Cushing.
After guiding Cadott to their fourth WBA appearance in 1970, George had seemingly completed his managerial duties. After an eight year absence, he returned in 1979 for one more season at the helm. Leading the Red Sox to one of their finest seasons ever, the South Division winning Sox went 16 and 1 before losing 8-5 to Tilden in the CRBL championship bout and going 1 and 1 in the WBA tournament.
In total, Mr. Jackson’s twelve seasons at the controls yielded three South Division titles, one league championship, five WBA appearances, and one spot in the WBA’s Final 8.
Upon induction in to the Chippewa River Baseball League Hall of Fame, George Jackson’s all-time managerial ranks can be found in division titles (tied for 8th), wins (tied for 12th), games managed (14th), winning percentage (14th), and WBA appearances (tied for 14th).
Rocky Thompson
Class of 2017
Manager
Osseo Merchants 2001-2006
Board Member & Organizer
1999 through induction
Since their inaugural season of CRBL competition in 1999, the Osseo Merchants have admirably developed in to one of the elite amateur baseball organizations in the state of Wisconsin. In figuratively and literally laying the groundwork for the Merchants’ existence, Rocky Thompson has remained one of the most dedicated, supportive, and influential members of Osseo’s enthusiastic baseball culture.
Thompson’s most visible role for the Merchants occurred from 2001 to 2006 when he selflessly fulfilled the role of team manager. Over Rocky’s seven season tenure, Osseo’s CRBL squad qualified for the WBA tournament in four seasons – 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2005. Fueled by a crew of veteran ballplayers, Thompson’s Merchants attained the franchise’s first Final 8 appearance in 2002, losing their opening Finals game 12-10 to the Oulu Blue Jays at Augusta.
Returning the next year to the Final 8, the Merchants met a similar fate, this time in Abbotsford but once again to Oulu, as they were beaten 11-1 by those same Blue Jays. In returning to the WBA’s Final 8 in 2003, the Osseo Merchants and Rocky became only the sixth team in CRBL history to make consecutive Final 8 appearances.
After stepping away from the managerial reigns in 2006 – a season in which he was given a CRBL Honorable Mention award as a coach — Mr. Thompson remained a vital part of the Merchants and the Osseo baseball community. Lauded for everything from his book keeping to his willingness to work in the concession stand, Rocky truly has been a man willing to lend his skills and knowledge to the betterment of baseball in Osseo as well as in the CRBL. An affable gentlemen, the Chippewa River Baseball League appreciatively recognizes Rocky Thompson as a deserved member of its elite Hall of Fame.
Jon Soiney
Class of 2016
Field & Facilities Manager
Osseo Merchants 1999 through induction
Formed in 1999, the Osseo Merchants enjoy the privilege of playing at one of the nicest amateur baseball parks and facilities in the state of Wisconsin. Talk to any Merchant player and Merchant supporter about their top-notch field, and credit will quickly and unabashedly be given to Mr. Jon Soiney, Field and Facilities Manager for the Osseo Merchants baseball organization. In honor of his tireless efforts and incredible work, the Chippewa River Baseball League Hall of Fame proudly recognizes Mr. Soiney as a worthy member of its exclusive Hall of Fame.
An accomplished athlete in his formative years, Jon played high school and amateur baseball in Lanesboro, MN. After garnering attention from professional Independent League teams out of the St. Paul, MN area, Soiney moved to Eau Claire in 1967 to pursue a job at Presto Industries. Still the competitor, Jon began a fastpitch softball career that would last over 20 years. In progressing to Masters Division softball, Mr. Soiney played 10 years at that level, enjoying an immense amount of success as his teams won 9 state titles and one national championship.
Never far away from baseball, Jon was instrumental in the formation of the Osseo Merchants amateur team. When the Merchants made their CRBL debut in 1999, it ended almost a 40-year absence of men’s amateur baseball teams from the town of Osseo.
Serving as an assistant manager for six years (1999-2005), Jon stepped forward to be part of a small group of individuals who purchased the land where beautiful Merchant Park would eventually be built.
In a historically significant date for both Osseo and the CRBL, the first game at the newly built field was played on April 21st, 2001. That summer, Jon took over as head groundskeeper and became the backbone for developing and maintaining a playing surface that is considered to be second to none.
To say the least, Mr. Soiney has taken the craft of field care to a level of expertise rarely – if ever – seen in the world of amateur baseball. Attending numerous seminars and conferring with professional baseball groundskeepers to hone his skills, Jon has traveled with the Milwaukee Brewers head groundskeeper Michael Boettcher, putting on seminars for area groups interested in improving their fields and playing surfaces.
Each season, from April through September, Mr. Soiney uses his knowledge and energy at Merchant Park, working more than 40 hours a week entirely on a volunteer basis. In a lasting testament of respect and appreciation for his contributions, the Merchants renamed their playing field “Jon Soiney Field” in 2015.
While players and managers receive many of the accolades and attention from their on the field accomplishments, it is the selfless efforts of people such as Jon Soiney that enable amateur baseball to flourish in small communities. Thank you Mr. Soiney for everything you have contributed, and enjoy your deserved place as a Chippewa River Baseball League Hall of Famer.
Scott Biederman
Class of 2016
Player/Manager
Eau Claire Bears 1998-2007
Player
Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks 1993
From 1998 to 2007, Scott Biederman’s dedicated and stand-up brand of leadership was a visible part of the Eau Claire Bears’ immense success. On and off the field, his strong managerial presence undoubtedly helped transform the Bears from a beginning CRBL organization in to a resounding amateur baseball dynasty.
Biederman’s time in the CRBL began as a part-time player for the Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks in 1993. Then, after fulfilling a similar playing role for the unaffiliated Eau Claire Bears over the next several seasons, Scott claimed their managerial spot in 1998. That year coincided with the Bears’ first season in the CRBL, one in which they admirably finished 9 and 7 and qualified for the WBA before losing their first round game to the eventual 1998 WBA champions, the Sparta Millers.
After failing to play .500 baseball over the next two years within the unforgiving competition and structure of the CRBL, Biederman’s 2001 Eau Claire squad began turning the corner with a 9 and 9 league mark while narrowly missing a WBA berth. With a growing core of excellent young players, Scott’s 2002 team went 13 and 6 in winning the franchise’s first South Division title by beating the established Augusta Athletics 11-0 at Augusta in a divisional tiebreaker game. After losing 4-2 to Tilden in the 2002 CRBL championship bout, Biederman led the black and white clad crew to their first Final 8 appearance where they lost the opening quarterfinal game 2-1 to the Spring Valley Hawks in Augusta.
With another strong showing in 2003, one that saw Eau Claire go 12 and 6 and qualify again for the WBA, Biederman and the Bears were on the verge of embarking on one of the greatest runs of success the CRBL will ever see.
From 2004 to 2007, the Bears used the baseball pillars of dominant pitching, good defense, and clutch hitting to win four consecutive South Division titles, three CRBL crowns (2004, 2005, 2006), as well as clawing their way to the WBA’s Final 8 each year. When including the 2002 and 2003 seasons, the Bears went a CRBL best 86 and 22 (.796 winning percentage) during Scott’s last seven seasons as the skipper, including a sterling 17-1 record in 2006. The pinnacle of this remarkable run came in 2005 when the Biederman guided Eau Claire nine beat the Everest Merchants 10-7 at Chaseburg-Coon Valley to win the coveted WBA championship. At that time, it was only the fifth WBA title ever captured by a CRBL team.
The CRBL co-manager of the year in 2006, Biederman’s accumulative managerial totals during his 10 seasons at the helm of the Bears are historically significant. Upon induction, Scott ranks (tied for) 2nd in WBA titles, 3rd in WBA wins, 3rd in WBA Final 8’s, (tied for) 3rd in divisional crowns, (tied for) 5th in CRBL titles, (tied for) 9th in WBA appearances, 10th in CRBL wins, 10th in CRBL winning percentage, and 11th in CRBL games managed.
Stan Lokken
Class of 2015
Utility
CRBL: Foster 1957-58; Bracket Orioles 1960; Beef River Bullfrogs 2000, 07
ECCBL: Strum Merchants 1961-63
Manager
Beef River Bullfrogs 1996-2008
Stan Lokken’s energetic and competitive persona enabled him to enjoy a career in amateur baseball that spanned over 50 years. It was during his reign, however, as organizer and manager of the hard-hitting Beef River Bullfrogs that Lokken indelibly made a historical mark on the existence of the CRBL.
A native of the Strum area, Stan was a fixture as a utility player for the Foster, Bracket, and Strum teams of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. He then finished the first stage of his amateur career by playing for the Strum Merchants of the Eau Claire Classic Baseball League from 1961 to 1963.
33 years later, Lokken was instrumental in reconnecting the Strum community with the CRBL, as the Beef River Bullfrogs debuted in 1996. Success came quickly for the Frogs when in 1997, they finished 9 and 7 from the South Division and qualified for the WBA tourney, winning their first round game 11 to 9 vs. Ashland in Ashland.
After three sub-.500 campaigns, Stan and the Bullfrogs leaped to a South Division crown in 2001 with a 12 and 6 record. In the CRBL championship game, they lost a well-played 4 to 0 contest vs. the Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks at first-year Casper Park.
Two years later in 2003, the amphibious crew from Beef River was back in the CRBL title bout. Facing the veteran Tilden Tigers at Tilden, the explosive line-up that Stan had assembled piled on the runs in a 14 to 8 victory. It was the first amateur baseball championship for a Strum region team in over 50 years.
2003 also marked the beginning of an impressive five season run (2003-2007) where the Strum based squad won 11 or more league games and qualified for the WBA tournament in each year, stamping their place as a marquee foe in CRBL competition.
Playing on as needed basis for Beef River, Stan set the unique record for the longest time between league games played at a sizeable gap of 37 years. Having played for the Strum Merchants in 1963, Lokken did not play again until 2000. Impressively, Stan’s last CRBL game came in 2007, when he again set another record, this one for being the most senior statesman to appear in a league game at the age of 77.
Known as a selfless promoter of his Bullfrogs players as well as the Eleva and Strum communities, Lokken single-handedly organized countless promotional nights and events during his 13 seasons at the helm of Beef River. Additionally, Lokken commendably assisted several of his players in receiving scholarships to play college baseball across the country.
Upon induction, Stan ranks 6th in games managed with 227, 7th in managerial wins with 121, and 8th in WBA appearances with 7.
Rick Ruf
Class of 2012
Manager
Tilden Tigers 1990-2003
A dedicated and intelligent baseball man, Rick Ruf’s understanding of the game and adept handling of his players enabled him to steer Tilden through 14 seasons of dominant play in the storied Chippewa River Baseball League. Beginning as a player for the Tigers in 1986, Rick took on full-time managerial responsibilities in 1990, leading Tilden to a 10 and 5 record and an appearance in the WBA’s Final 8. The maroon and yellow clad Tigers won their first of 11 division titles and four CRBL championships under Ruf in 1991. Tilden’s 7 to 5 victory over the Augusta Athletics that season began an unprecedented run of nine championship game appearances in 10 seasons (1991 to 1994, 1996 to 2000). The Tilden squad of 1991 also made the franchise’s third appearance in a WBA title game, losing a tough 7 to 6 decision against the Merrill Giants.
Tilden’s other CRBL title belts under Ruf took place in 1994 and 1997 vs. Augusta, and in 2002 vs. the Eau Claire Bears. Rick would bring the Tigers back to the WBA title fight in 1995, where they would prevail over Wausau 10 to 6 at Haugen, becoming only the third CRBL team at that time to win a WBA crown. In total, Ruf and the Tigers made an appearance in the WBA during every one of his 14 seasons as manager, surviving to prowl in seven Final 8’s in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 2000, and 2003. Amidst all the championships and titles, the simplest and best barometer of Rick’s managerial skills may be found in the fact that Tilden never had a losing record with him at the controls. The Tigers’ shining 16 and 1 mark in 1992 was the best regular season with Ruf as they also won the North and made the Final 8 in that noteworthy campaign.
Rick should also be acknowledged for his service to the CRBL, acting as the storied organization’s president for four years, holding the post from 1994 to 1997. Through the yearly harnessing of a competitive and hard playing group of ballplayers, Mr. Ruf currently ranks 2nd in managerial wins, 4th in winning percentage, 1st in division titles, tied for 3rd in league championships, 1st in WBA wins, 2nd in WBA tourney appearances, and 1st in Final 8 appearances.