Position: Outfield

Matt Korger

Outfield/3rd Base

Augusta Athletics 1996-2006

If you happened to catch one of the Augusta Athletics’ many rallies during the years from ’96 to ’06, you would likely find Matt Korger in the middle of it.

Matt was a key contributor during an 11 year stretch in which the team went 133-60, winning South Divisional titles in ’97, ’98, and ’99 and taking the CRBL crown in the latter two seasons. At the same time, the As earned the right to play in the WBA tournament in each of his years, topped off by a 3-1 run in 1998 before succumbing to the champion Sparta team and a 4-1 charge, falling short in the championship game to a Hudson powerhouse.

Matt’s prowess at the plate shows up in his appearance among all-time CRBL leaders in three different categories. His .904 OPS ranks 47th, partially boosted by his 31st ranked slugging percentage of .502. He gained his highest ranking in home runs as the 30 he belted place him in a tie for 24th among all sluggers over the years.

In 1999, he led the league with 30 RBI as he surged to All-CRBL honors at third base. Matt was a three time South Division all-star along the way, but he was all star throughout his career.

Always one of the good guys, Matt is still passing on his baseball knowledge and great attitude at Osseo High where he serves as head coach.

Jerry Dachel

Pitcher / Outfielder

Tilden Tigers 1969-80, 1982

Whether the Tilden Tigers of 1967 through 1978 needed a pitching boost or an injection of power, they knew they could turn to Jerry Dachel.

An imposing figure on the mound, “Lurch” was responsible for numerous knee injuries among hitters due to banging them together in nervous trembling. Sharing the spotlight with his brother Tom, the duo formed an almost unbeatable one-two punch for the Tigers.

Over Jerry’s 12 year career, Tilden compiled a 148-35 regular season record, leading the Northern Division an amazing ten times with an even more amazing eight CRBL championships.

Along the way, the team went to ten WBA tournaments, going to the final four in 1972 and taking second in 1976. Obviously, Jerry was a big part of all these accomplishments.

Over the years, Jerry climbed the ladder on several CRBL pitching lists. Upon induction, his 33-7 record, and .825 clip, land him in 40th place in wins and 5th in winning percentage as of 2025. He ranks among the leaders in ERA (28th), shutouts (tied for 26th), and saves (T-12th).

One of his best seasons was in 1969 when he led the league in wins and winning percentage going 10-1, .909. The next season found him leading the CRBL in ERA, firing a 2.57 mark. As is often the case, statistics don’t always show the full story of his contributions to Tilden’s success over his years, but anyone who played against him can tell you it was no picnic.

When not pitching, Lurch manned the outfield admirably. Ever dangerous at the plate, he led the league in home runs (6), RBIs (24), and runs scored (23) in 1977. That ’77 season saw him being chosen an All-CRBL outfielder. Two years earlier, he earned MVP honors at the league championship game, going 3-5 with a double, a run, and 4 RBI with three of them coming on a home run in the bottom of the 6th that broke a 4-4 tie. Just to make sure, he singled in the final tally in the 8th to ice the game.

Between pitching and hitting, Jerry saw action in four All-Star games. His selection to the CRBL Hall Of Fame is truly well earned.

1 All CRBL Award, 4 All-Star Games

Note Top 50 ERA, W, Win pct, Saves, Shutouts

Jon Gardow

Outfielder

Tilden Tigers 1993-2012

Ask any hitter who tried to test Jon Gardow’s skills as an outfielder, and he will tell you that Jon could really “go get it.”

Over the course of his 20 years (tied for 32nd in CRBL longevity) patrolling Tilden’s outer pasture, Jon ran down countless would be extra base hits, sending batters back to the bench, shaking their heads.

Gardow’s two decades saw his Tigers compile a 256-98 record with 14 Northern Division titles and five CRBL championships. (That’s a lot of winning!) Amazingly, the team made the WBA tournament all 20 years of Jon’s tenure, bringing home a runner-up finish in 2000 and two first place trophies, first in 1995 and then in 2004.

CRBL all-time batting lists are dotted with Gardow’s name and numbers as he is inducted into the Hall. His 249 hits leave him tied for 50th. While tied for 33rd in singles, Jon seemed to have a thing for 32s, ranking in that position with at bats, runs, and seasons played. His 61 stolen bases, not surprising for this fleet-footed outfielder, rank 29th, and he comes in 27th in games played.

A four time all-star, Jon had an outstanding season in 2001when he garnered an outfield spot on the All-CRBL team.

Jon’s steady play and year after year dependability make him a memorable figure in Tilden Tiger history.

1 All CRBL Award, 4 All Star Games

Note Top 50 in Seasons, Games, AB, H, 1B, R, SB, BB

Fred Zech

Outfielder – Lafayette Lakers 1968-69, 72-78, 83-94; Lafayette Indians 1970              

Player/Manager – Lafyette Lakers 1983-93                        

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The CRBL, like every amateur baseball organization, relies heavily on individuals who are willing to devout their time and efforts to keep its history and traditions alive and well.  Player and manager Fred Zech of the Lafayette Lakers was one of those dedicated people. 

During a CRBL career that spanned 25 years, Fred was synonymous with the Lakers of Lafayette, first as a player, then as a player/manager. When he began his CRBL playing days with the Lakers in 1968, Zech primarily was in the outfield.  Enjoying his best season in 1972, Fred hit .367 (22 for 60), tied for the league lead in home runs with 3, and led outright in RBIs with 17, while participating in that year’s CRBL All-Star game.  Over his career, the right-handed hitter notched three different seasons hitting over .300, with his personal high occurring in his standout 1972 campaign.

In total, as a player, Zech was a part of five WBA qualifiers (1975, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982), and three WBA Finals teams (1980, 1981, 1982).  Yet, it was as a player/manager that Fred had his biggest impact.  Often coaching third base while wearing a colorful wig, the Lafayette Skipper led the free-spirited and aggressively running Lakers for 11 seasons (1983 to 1993).  Under his leadership, the Lafayette Crew qualified for the WBA in 1992, losing in the regional final game, 14-8 at Augusta to the host Augusta Athletics.  In that contest, the skipper rapped a solo homerun to help the Lakers stay in the game against the heavy-hitting Athletics.

Upon induction, Zech’s all-time player rankings can be found in seasons played (tied for 23rd) and games played (47th).  Managerially, he is ranked all-time in seasons managed (tied for 11th) and games managed (12th).

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Managerial Record:              G         W          L           Pct.       Div Titles       League CS           CSGApp

      184       48        136         .261              0                       0                          0       

 

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

                                            1              2         1         1          .500             0                    0

Keith Pitsch

Outfielder – Jim Falls Sturgeons 1967-2016
Player/Manager – Jim Falls Sturgeons 1980-84, 99-2001
League Officer – 1997 through Induction                         

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As a player, manager, and league officer, Keith Pitsch’s impact and legacy in the CRBL will forever be felt and appreciated.  Through his lasting dedication to the league, his ever-present sharp wit, as well as his fierce loyalty to the Jim Falls Sturgeons, Keith is truly one of the most recognizable, likable, and memorable people the CRBL will ever have.

  During a playing career that lasted an astounding 50 (!!!) seasons, Pitsch established himself as an incredibly consistent and reliable player for the Big Fish of Jim Falls.  Keith’s remarkable longevity shaped an unparallel playing existence, one in which he hit over .300 in 12 seasons, with a high of .370 in 1985.  His one CRBL home run was memorable, as it came in the form of a grand slam against the Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks on June 19th, 1988, in a Sturgeons’14-8 victory vs. the Lumberjacks at Cardinal Field. 

His commitment to the Sturgeons was further evident in that he had two separate stints as Jim Falls’ manager: 1980 to 1984 and again from 1999 to 2001.  In total, Pitsch managed 144 games for the Sturgeons over those eight seasons, leading his Jim Falls brethren to a WBA appearance in 1983.  

To the great benefit of the CRBL, Keith has fulfilled the role of Vice-President of the league from 2002 through his induction, handling the difficult and thankless task of creating the yearly game schedule, doing so with patience, care, and empathy.

Pitsch’s universally famous sense of humor was aptly illustrated in an interview regarding his lengthy playing career, published in the Chippewa-Herald on August 10th, 1996.  When asked about his current playing abilities, Keith stated, “I’d say I lost a step, but I’d be underestimating myself.  I think I’ve lost at least eight or nine.”  

A participant in six CRBL All-Star games (1972, 1984, 1985, 1989, 1992, 1998), Pitsch was named Honorable Mention CRBL in 1992 as an outfielder and in 2008 as a player/coach.  In 2014, he became the first person in CRBL history to cross the 500 games played milestone, and in 2016 he secured his spot as the first player to ever play 50 seasons in the CRBL.

Upon induction, the Legendary Sturgeon’s all time rankings can be found in seasons played (1st), games played (2nd), at-bats (tied for 5th), singles (8th), walks (9th), hits (13th), runs scored (14th), triples (tied for 16th), total bases (26th), doubles (tied for 27th), RBIs (27th), and stolen bases (tied for 47th).   

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Managerial Record:              G         W          L           Pct.       Div Titles       League CS           CSGApp

      144       40        104         .278              0                       0                          0       

 

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

                                            1              1          0        1          .000             0                    0

Justin Boiteau

1st Baseman, Outfielder – Jim Falls Sturgeons 1997-2014, 18
Player/Manager – Jim Falls Sturgeons 2007-12

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A left-handed batter with a strong and fluid swing, Justin Boiteau played his entire 19-season career in Jim Falls, using his hitting prowess to become one of the best Sturgeon players in CRBL history.

A stout defender, the left-handed throwing Boiteau was a difference maker when either roaming the outfield or securing 1st base for the Big Fish.  At the plate, Justin was incredibly consistent, posting eight seasons in which he had 20 or more hits, with a high of 27 in 2007.  Moreover, he had 13 seasons in which he had a batting average of .300 or better.  Within those campaigns, from 2001 through 2011, he had an 11-season run of hitting .300 or higher, with his career high of .424 (25 for 59) occurring in 2011.

Beyond his shining play on the diamond, Boiteau admirably guided the Sturgeons for six seasons (2007 to 2012) as a player/manager, providing dedicated leadership and stability to the Jim Falls’ franchise.

A participant in 10 CRBL All-Star games (1999, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012), the smooth-swinging lefty was named Honorable Mention All-CRBL as an outfielder in 2007, in addition to being named All-CRBL at 1st base in four seasons (2003, 2008, 2009, 2011).  

Upon induction, Boiteau is ranked 18th all-time in doubles, 31st in hits, 33rd in batting average, 34th in singles, 34th in games played, 39th in at-bats, and 39th in total bases.    

Jim Hall

Outfielder, Player/Manager

Lafayette Indians 1963-65, 69-79; Bloomer Merchants 1980; Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks 1985-86, 92
Player/Manager: Lafayette Indians 1969-72

  • A strong-armed and stout defender in the outfield.
  • Led the Lafayette Indians to two WBA appearances during his four seasons as player/manager.
  • Led the CRBL in home runs twice with 4 long balls in 1969 and 1970.
  • Led the CRBL in walks twice.
  • Hit over. 300 four times during his 18-season career.
  • Served our country in the military from 1966 to 1968.

Managerial Record:

G W L Pct. Div Titles League CS CSG App

68 41 27 .603 0 0 0

(WBA)

App G W L Pct. Final 8’s WBA CS

2 3 1 2 .333 0 0

Bubba Stolt

Outfielder, 1st Base

Bloomer Blackhawks 1976-77; Bloomer Merchants 1979,1986-92; Bloomer Fighting Woodticks 1993-2018

  • Two-time all-star.
  • Honorable Mention All-CRBL selection in 1988 at 1st base and 2009 as a designated hitter.
  • Upon induction, ranks 8th all-time in games played and 14th all-time in at-bats.
  • A dedicated, devoted, and well-liked player throughout his 26 seasons of play in the CRBL.

Paul Pehler

Outfielder / Player Manager
Whitehall Wolves 2005-13

A hustling, high energy ball player during his nine seasons in the CBRL, Paul Pehler was also a dedicated manager and relentless advocate for the Wolves of Whitehall. Under his guidance, Whitehall was transformed from an organization struggling to survive into one of the most vaunted and highly successful amateur teams in the CRBL and across northwest Wisconsin.

Pehler’s rookie year also coincided with Whitehall’s first year of play in the storied Chippewa River Baseball League. After two seasons as a part-time player, Paul took over as player/manager in 2007. That season also marked his first full-time ledger, as Pehler played in all 18 league games, hitting .362 (21 for 58) with a homerun, 13 RBI’s and a league leading 13 stolen bases.

2008 was the Wolf Pack leader’s best season. The right-handed batter hit a career high .379 (25 for 66), tying for the CRBL lead in doubles with 7 and leading the circuit again in steals with 10 while hitting 1 homerun and knocking in a career high 18 RBI’s.

It was in 2010 that the Wolves evolved, becoming a team to be reckoned with under Pehler’s leadership. Deploying a fearlessly aggressive offensive approach, accentuated by a team philosophy of stealing bases at any time in any count against any opponent, Whitehall howled their way to a 12 and 6 finish. In enjoying their first winning season, the Wolves narrowly missed a South Division title while qualifying for their first WBA tournament.

The Pehler-led Wolves continued their ascension in 2011, hunting down and finally winning the South Division with a 14 and 6 mark. While directing the Wolfpack that season, Pehler hit .300 (18 for 60) with 6 doubles and 12 RBI’s. In the 2011 CRBL championship game at Tilden, Whitehall dropped a tough, 4-3 game to the Tigers in 10 innings.

2012 saw Pehler and the Wolves permanently brand their place in CRBL history and legitimately establish themselves as an amateur baseball power. In his last year as player/manager, Pehler hit a healthy .350 (21 for 60) with 5 doubles, 2 home runs (a career high), 14 RBI’s and 12 runs (also a career high). His production contributed mightily to the Wolves’ incredible season, one in which they set a then CRBL record for regular season wins by going 19 and 3 and winning a second consecutive South Division title. In the 2012 CRBL title bout, Whitehall blanked the Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks 6-0, becoming CRBL champs for the first time in franchise history.

Pehler stepped away from his managerial duties in 2013 but played that year – his last – for the Wolves. In his final season, Paul drove in 12 runs in 17 games, enjoying the Whitehall Pack’s dominant 19 and 3 season, one in which they won their third consecutive South Division title, beat the Lumberjacks again in the CRBL title bout (this time 1-0) and were victorious in their first round WBA game.

A .317 hitter in 144 CRBL games, Paul staked a .535 winning percentage in 114 contests as a manager, including 45 and 15 (.750 win pct.) over his last three seasons. In addition to an All-CRBL award in 2008 and Honorable Mention All-CRBL nod in 2007, Pehler participated in four All-Star games (2007, 2009, 2010, 2011). As a manager, he became the second skipper to win back-to-back CRBL Manager of the Year awards, doing so in 2010 and 2011.

Through his productive contributions as a player and winning guidance as a manager, Pehler made a lasting, competitive impact on the Whitehall Wolves franchise. With his induction, Paul Pehler takes his place as one of the legends in Chippewa River Baseball League history.

George Jackson

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).