Position: Scorekeeper

Eddie Atkinson

Class of 2021

Scorekeeper

Jim Falls Sturgeons
1980-2014


Over a career of service that touched four decades and exceeded 30 years, Eddie Atkinson became an iconic and recognizable figure for the Sturgeons of Jim Falls. Despite never having played one inning for the Big Fish, Eddie rose to CRBL prominence through his dedicated and sincere work as the scorekeeper for the Sturgeons.

Famously possessing a good natured wit and an infectious sense of humor, Atkinson should be held in the same ilk as that of the legendary Sturgeon players that have shaped the franchise’s long and proud history in the river hamlet of Jim Falls, WI.

A notorious jokester, Eddie was renowned for his indiscriminate ability to tease, hassle and poke fun at fellow Sturgeons and opponents alike. To become a target of his cutting barbs was considered by most victims to be an honor, a sign that one was becoming an established CRBL player. To escape a game unscathed by one of Eddie’s quips was – frankly – rather disappointing.

The respect and appreciation Atkinson had earned among his Sturgeon brethren was evident in 2009 when he was bestowed an Honorable Mention All-CRBL award as a scorekeeper, becoming one of the first non-players to be recognized for such a distinction.

Incredibly, Eddie “kept book” during nearly 600 CRBL games for the Jim Falls Sturgeons, right through his last season of 2014. Undoubtedly, Atkinson would have surpassed the 600 game mark if not for his unexpected passing in December of 2014 at the age of 69.

Because of people – and characters – like Eddie, amateur baseball continues to exist and thrive in small town Wisconsin. Rest easy Eddie!!! You are forever a CRBL Hall of Famer.