Profile coming soon
Position: Utility
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.
Steve Fetterly
Class of 2019
Utility
Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks 1995-2004; Beef River Bullfrogs 2005-06; Augusta Athletics 2006
Country strong from both the batter’s box and the pitcher’s mound, Steve Fetterly was a fearless competitor who played baseball with enthusiasm and intensity throughout his 12 seasons in the CRBL.
Debuting with the Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks in 1995, “Fetters” hit .318 (7 for 22) and went 2 and 0 in 16 innings within a part-time capacity, gaining Honorable Mention All-CRBL honors at utility for the North Division champions.
Seeing a larger role in 1996, the right/right Fetterly posted a .359 campaign (23 for 64), with 5 doubles, 3 home runs, 17 RBI’s and 20 runs scored while chucking 49.1 innings, striking out 49 and staking a 3 and 2 record from the slab. His excellent dual performance resulted in his rightly deserved recognition as All-CRBL Utility.
Steve’s best offensive season came in 2000, when in 19 CRBL games, he pounded out a .434 batting average (33 for 76), with 6 doubles, 4 home runs, and 26 RBI’s. He also went 5 and 2 for the ‘Jacks in 41.2 innings of work as he was acknowledged with Honorable Mention All-CRBL in the outfield.
Fetterly’s most impactful showing came in 2001, the year that also coincided with the CRBL exclusively using wood bats for the first time since the mid-1970s. Steve’s aggressive, power approach to pitching was ideally suited for the league’s stark transition back to lumber. In 67 innings, Fetters was 8 and 2 with a 1.21 ERA, 69 K’s, and 1 shutout. He tied or led the CRBL outright in each of those categories except ERA, where he finished fifth. With the stick, he was minimally affected by the change away from metal, hitting .333 (17 for 51) with 4 doubles, 1 homerun, and 11 RBI’s.
The 2001 Lumberjacks rode the Big Country Horse to a 13 and 5 record, a North Division title, and a 4-0 CRBL championship game win over the Beef River Bullfrogs. In the ‘Jacks CRBL title game win, Fetterly had perhaps the finest performance of his career, as he hurled a complete game, 5-hit shutout, striking out 11 and walking just 1 batter.
In addition to his 2001 league leading totals, Steve also led the CRBL with both 76 innings pitched and 7 wins (tied) in 1998. Offensively, Fetters hit .300 or better in eight of his twelve seasons, notching 20 or more hits five years and 33 hits in 2000.
Playing through the 2006 season, Steve remained a productive hitter, knocking in 18 runs in 19 league games for the Bullfrogs of Beef River (Strum) in 2005, his last full-time season in the CRBL.
In addition to his two Honorable Mention All-CRBL awards and two All-CRBL selections, Steve was a participant in eight all-star games (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004).
Upon election, Fetterly’s all-time rankings can be found in pitching decisions (29th), innings pitched (31st), wins (31st), slugging percentage (36th), K’s (40th), home runs (40th), batting average (41st), innings pitched per year (46th), and RBI’s (46th).
Ben Morrison
Class of 2017
Utility
Augusta Athletics 2002-09
A left-handed hitter, Ben Morrison used a smooth and easy inside-out stroke to become one of the greatest contact hitters the Chippewa River Baseball League will ever see.
Joining an already potent Augusta line-up in 2002, Ben hit .383 (18 for 47) his rookie year in the CRBL for an Athletics squad that went 12 and 7 from the South Division. Marching through the WBA, Morrison and the 2002 A’s made it to the Final 8 at Augusta before losing in the tournament championship to the Hudson River Rats, 19 to 9. In total, Ben and the Athletics partook in six WBA tournaments together (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008).
Possessing the uncanny ability to hit behind the ball, Morrison’s line-drive producing swing wore out left-center gaps across the CRBL in route to his shining .382 lifetime batting average. In Ben’s eight seasons of competition, he eclipsed the .400 mark three times — .441 (26 for 59), .413 (19 for 46) in 2005, and a career best .475 (29 for 61) in 2007.
Falling just short of the 500 at-bat qualifier for the “Top 50” career batting average list, the portside swinger’s .382 career mark would have placed him third in CRBLhistory.
Excelling as a utility player, Ben was a regular off the mound for Augusta, logging 181.1 innings and gathering 14 wins during his CRBL career. His best season pitching came in 2008, when the right-handed thrower was 5 and 2 with a 3.55 ERA and 29 K’s in 50.2 innings framed.
In addition to being named Honorable Mention All-CRBL in 2005, Morrison was voted All-CRBL in five (2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008) of his eight seasons. The frequency of accolades given to Ben brightly illustrates his place as one of that era’s best players. As a member of the CRBL Hall of Fame, he will forever be remembered as one of the CRBL’s all-time greats.
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.
Harv Tomter
Class of 2015
Pitcher, Utility
CRBL: Leif’s Conoco Oilers 1952; Chippewa Falls Triangle Sports 1959; Eau Claire Tommy Millers 1960
ECCBL: Eau Claire Tommy Millers 1960-63; Strum Merchants 1964
Throughout the Chippewa Valley, Harv Tomter is known as the legendary manager of the Eau Claire Cavaliers. It should never be forgotten, however, that Harv Tomter the baseball player was a clutch performer, professional prospect, and game changing talent from both the mound and the batter’s box.
A right-handed thrower and left-handed hitter, Tomter broke in to amateur baseball in 1952 with Leif’s Conoco Oilers of Eau Claire. In just two appearances, he tied for the league lead in shutouts with 1, going 1 and 1 with a 3.46 ERA in 13 innings.
Signed by the New York Giants organization in 1953, he split time that season between their Class D (Single A) affiliates Oshkosh, WI Giants and Mayfield, KY Clothiers. In total, the righty went 6 and 8 with a 5.52 ERA in 137 innings through 12 starts and 33 appearances.
In 1954, Harv switched to the Baltimore Orioles organization where he again pitched at the Class D level, this time for the Americus-Cordele, GA Orioles. Making 26 starts and 34 appearances, Tomter commendably logged 205.1 innings with a 5.00 ERA and a 6 and 17 won/loss record.
Playing in surrounding amateur circuits from 1955 to 1958, Tomter returned to the CRBL in 1959 with the Chippewa Falls Triangle Sports. On the hill, Tomter went 4 and 3 in 46 innings with a 4.70 ERA and tied for the CVL lead in saves with 1. With the stick, the Sport hit 2 homers and drove in 8 RBI’s in 9 games.
In 1960, Tomter emerged as one of the Chippewa Valley’s dominant amateur players, competing in both the CVL and ECCBL for the Eau Claire Tommy Millers. Going 3 and 0 in the CVL and 7 and 0 in the ECCBL, he led both circuits in winning percentage at 1.000. Harv’s 1960 pitching totals were a sterling 10 and 0 in 79.1 innings with 84 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.72. As a hitter; Tomter bombed 2 long balls and had 5 doubles in 19 games.
Tomter rose to legendary status in 1961. During the regular season, Harv was named All-ECCBL at utility for hitting .377 (20 for 53) with 5 doubles while going 1 and 0 in 15 innings of pitching for the Tommy Millers. In the WBA, the righty’s ironman heroics from the mound led the Eau Claire squad to a state title in New Richmond. In the double-elimination Final 8 format, Tomter hurled back-to-back nine inning complete games in the same day, beating Pepin 4-1 in the first game and Pepin again in the championship match, this time by a 9-3 ledger. Accordingly, Tomter was named the tournament’s most valuable pitcher.
Hitting .372 (16 for 43) in 1962, Harv tied for the ECCBL lead in doubles with 3 while posting a 2 and 1 record with a 1.52 ERA in 23.2 innings for the league champion Millers. Continuing his stellar play in the WBA, he was named to the 1962 All-Tournament Team as a pitcher/1st baseman for the Eau Claire squad that lost in the WBA championship, 6-5 in a rematch with Pepin at Cushing.
In no uncertain terms, Harv was a one man gang in 1963. With his Millers going 10 and 5 and winning their fourth ECCBL championship in a row, the curve balling righty claimed all 10 of his team’s victories, going 10 and 2 in 103 ECCBL innings with a 2.53 ERA, 83 strikeouts and 1 shutout. His 10 wins paced the ECCBL during the season in which he made his lone ECCBL All-Star appearance. In WBA play, Harv and the Millers were bumped before making the finals.
Fittingly, Tomter’s last full year of amateur baseball was his best. Playing with the Strum Merchants in 1964, Harv led ECCBL pitchers with 93.1 innings and tied for the lead in wins with 5 while posting a 2.53 ERA augmented by 75 strikeouts. From the plate, the portside swinger cracked a league leading 3 homers and 21 RBI’s while tying for the lead in hits with 25 within a healthy.385 average in 62 at-bats.
Drafted by the ECCBL champ Eau Claire Twin City Sports from Strum in 1964, Tomter incredibly shined in the post-season again. In the double-elimination WBA semi-finals, Harv crafted a 6 to 2 victory with 10 K’s and 4 walks verse a familiar foe, the Pepin Lakers. In the next game, again vs. Pepin, the curve ball specialist threw 7.1 innings of relief with 4 strikeouts and 2 walks in the 9 to 3 title bout victory. Winning the WBA’s most valuable pitcher award for the second time, Harv still remains one of only seven individuals to be bestowed the prestigious honor multiple times.
With the closure of the ECCBL in 1965, Harv finished as the all-time leader in pitching wins (21), and is second in winning percentage (.778, 21 wins and 6 losses) and base hits (83).
Of course, Tomter went on to legendary accomplishments with the powerhouse Eau Claire Cavaliers baseball teams. From 1979 to 2005, Coach Tomter compiled a striking 1,595 and 437 won-loss record (.785 winning pct.), including 5 Continental Amateur Baseball Association World Series titles. Upon induction, Harv Tomter takes his rightful place as one of the largest baseball giants to ever be a part of the Chippewa River Baseball League.
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.
Kurt Stellpflug
Class of 2014
Pitcher, Utility
Augusta Athletics 1989-96; Osseo Merchants 1999-2004; Whitehall Wolves 2005, 07
Kurt “Plugger” Stellpflug was an extremely tough and highly respected competitor during his 16 seasons of play in the CRBL. The dominance and humility that he exhibited throughout his outstanding amateur baseball career makes Stellpflug an overwhelming selection to the Chippewa River Baseball League Hall of Fame.
A big right-hander with a rocking, high kicking delivery, Plug’s hard fastball and knee buckling curve were let loose from a deceptive three-quarter release point. Collectively, these components became synonymous with his lengthy success from the mound. Averaging over nine strikeouts per nine innings, Kurt led the CRBL in K’s four seasons (60 in 1993, 59 in 1996, 81 in 2002, and 73 in 2003). In total, the right-handed ace led or tied for the CRBL lead 15 times in six different pitching categories. In addition to his strikeout belts, Stellpflug led the CRBL once in innings pitched (73 in 2002), twice in ERA (1.36 in 2002 and 0.56 in 2004), twice in wins (8 in 1993 and 7 in 2002), twice in saves (1 in 1995 and 3 in 1996), and four times in shutouts (1 in 1991, 1 in 1993, 2 in 1995, 1 in 2001).
Shining among these league leading totals was Stellpflug’s historical 2002 season. Pitching for the Osseo Merchants at the age of 40, Kurt became the sixth pitcher in CRBL history to win the CRBL’s Triple Crown of pitching. His 7 wins, 81 punch-outs, and 1.36 ERA were all pace setting marks, as was his 73 innings pitched.
Plugger’s game altering abilities from the mound often overshadowed the prowess he possessed from the right-handed side of the plate. In his 11 seasons as a full-time player, Kurt hit over .300 five times (1990, 1995, 1996, 2001, 2003), over .400 four times (1992, 1993, 1999, 2000), and a lofty .525 (31 for 59) in 1994. His 31 safeties in 1994 tied for the CRBL lead in that category. In the same season, Kurt also became one of 13 hitters to garner 6 hits in a game, doing so vs. the Hallie Eagles in a 13 to 9 Augusta win. Offensively, Kurt’s other league leading offensive total came later in 2003 when he banged 10 doubles for Osseo.
A member of the Augusta Athletics from 1989 through 1996, the classy Stellpflug’s presence on the young franchise helped jump start amateur baseball in an area where it had been dormant for over 30 years. After a two-year sabbatical from the CRBL in 1997 and 1998, Kurt returned with the fledgling Merchants of Osseo, playing from 1999 to 2004 before finishing as a part-timer with another new franchise, the Whitehall Wolves in 2005 and again in 2007.
A game changing winner wherever he played, Plug was part of four division winners, three CRBL champions, 12 WBA qualifiers, six WBA Final 8 teams, and one WBA champion with the Augusta Athletics in 1994. His individual contributions were clearly recognized in his eight All-CRBL awards (1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002), two Honorable Mention All-CRBL awards (1999 and 2003), and Most Valuable Pitcher Award of the 1994 WBA Finals.
Upon induction, Kurt’s highest all-time ranking can be found in pitching wins where he is 6th. Other top marks from the slab include winning percentage (12th), innings pitched (12th), strikeouts (13th), ERA (17th), saves (tied for 15th), shutouts (tied for 13th), and K/9 IP (19th).
As a hitter, Stellplug is highly ranked in batting average (17th), slugging percentage (22nd), homeruns (tied for 35th), runs scored (36th), doubles (tied for 38th), total bases (39th), RBI’s (tied for 39th), hits (tied for 40th), and singles (tied for 42nd).
Scott Hughes
Class of 2014
Utility
Augusta Athletics 1989-99, 2001-06
The Augusta Athletics built their dynasty of the 1990’s on the double barreled formula of power hitting and power pitching. Exemplifying these game altering traits better than anyone was Augusta legend, Scott Hughes.
An imposing presence both from the mound and in the batter’s box, no player in CRBL history led or tied for the league lead in single-season statistical categories more than Hughes. In total, the big righty paced the CRBL 35 times in 14 out of a possible 18 individual areas.
As a pitcher, “Hughey” was a league leader 23 times. Specifically, he led the CRBL in innings pitched twice (80.1 in 1999 and 64 in 2004), ERA twice (3.06 in 1995 and 0.75 in 2001), wins in five seasons (9 in 1994, 7 in 1997, 7 in 1998, 11 in 1999, and 7 in 2003), winning percentage six times (1.000 in 1994, .875 in 1997, .875 in 1998, 1.000 in 1999, .833 in 2002, and .875 in 2003), strikeouts once (67 in 1997), saves once (2 in 1993), and shutouts six times (2 in 1993, 1 in 1996, 1 in 2001, 3 in 2002, 2 in 2003, and 2 in 2006).
As a hitter, Big Scott was a pace setter 12 times. In two seasons, he was a CRBL batting champion (.493 in 1989 and .510 in 1990), once in at-bats (71 in 1994), four times in hits (33 in 1989, 31 in 1994, 33 in 1997, and 34 in 1999), once in doubles (9 in 1994), once in home runs (7 in 1993), once in RBI’s (26 in 1993), and twice in runs scored (29 in 1995 and 30 in 1997).
Scott’s ascension to a top flight, multi-threat player came in 1994 when he went an undisputed 9 an 0, tying for the league lead in wins (9) and shutouts (2) while pacing the CRBL outright in K’s with 67 and winning percentage (1.000). During this breakout season, the Augusta ace also spun the 28th no-hitter in CRBL history with a 12 to 0, 9-inning gem vs. the Bloomer Fightin’ Woodticks. That same season, Hughes also led the league in at-bats (71), hits (31), doubles (9), runs scored (29), and became one of only 13 hitters in league history to have 6 hits in a game, doing so against the Cadott Red Sox.
Hughes’ full arsenal of historical talent was no more evident than in 1999 when he had arguably the greatest pitching and hitting season ever in league play. Hitting .459 with a league leading 34 hits in 74 at-bats, Scott drove in 23 runs and scored 17 while banging 8 doubles and 5 home runs all while drawing just 6 walks. Concertedly from the slab, the high-kicking righty with the windmill wind-up also set a still standing season record for winning percentage at 1.000, claiming a clean slate of 11 wins without a defeat. The win total paced the 10-team CRBL as did his 80.1 innings pitched.
Accordingly, Scott was named All-CRBL a total of eight times (1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002) while participating in 15 All-Star games (1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006). In three All-Star exhibitions, Hughes was the best of the best, getting named the contest’s MVP in 1989 (retroactively in 2017) 1994, 1996, and 2003.
The game changing skills that Hughey forcefully imparted on the CRBL became one of the pillars upon which Augusta rose to be a preeminent league power. In the Big Righty’s 17 seasons of CRBL play, Augusta captured seven South Division titles, five CRBL crowns, qualified for 16 WBA tournaments, survived to play in six Final 8’s, and played in three WBA championship games. Perhaps the flash point of success amidst this excess of winning came in 1994, when Hughes and the Athletics won the elusive WBA championship, triumphing over the Abbotsford Merchants 8 to 4 in the title game. It represented the first time a CRBL team had won the WBA tournament since the Thorp Cardinals in 1953.
Off the hill, Hughes’ highest ranking upon induction can be found in shutouts where he is 3rd. He can also be found ranked among the greats in winning percentage (4th), wins (5th), innings pitched (14th), strikeouts (16th), saves (tied for 21st), ERA (28th), and K/9 IP (47th).
As a hitter, Scott’s best rank is in batting average where he is 2nd. His other high marks in batsmanship are in home runs (3rd), slugging percentage (3rd), RBI’s (5th), runs scored (5th), total bases (6th), doubles (7th), hits (9th), singles (15th), at-bats (24th), games played (25th), and base on balls (42nd).
(Biographical information amended, 2018)
Stan Prince
Class of 2012
Utility
Cooks Valley Hayshakers 1971-82; Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks 1983-84
Over his 14-season amateur baseball career, Stan Prince carved out a lasting reputation as one of the CRBL’s best contact hitters and slickest fielding defenders who was admired for both his quick hands and vacuum-like glove.
Breaking in with the Cooks Valley Hayshakers in 1971, Stan had the first of his 10 seasons of .300 hitting or better when he batted .328 (19 for 58). Of those 10 seasons, Prince topped .400 in 1976 (.404, 19 for 47), 1977 (.453, 29 for 64), 1981 (.407, 15 for 37) and in 1983 (.407, 27 for 69). His personal best came in 1980 when he paced the CRBL with a scalding mark of .511 (24 for 47), during which he also set a career high in home runs with 2.
Prince’s three other leading offensive outputs occurred in doubles, when he tied for the CRBL lead with 5 in 1974 and 4 in 1976 while leading outright with 6 two-baggers in 1977.
It would be remiss to not acknowledge Utility Stan’s contributions from the mound, where he consumed 260.2 innings of CRBL play, topping 50 frames in two different seasons for the Hayshakers – 66.1 IP in 1976 and 50.2 in 1978.
Prince’s aforementioned .407 output in 1983 also included his career high in RBI’s with 19, runs scored with 16, as well as matching his personal bests in doubles with 6 and home runs with 2. This offensive bounty coincided with his first year on the upstart Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks. His seasoned approach and outstanding play that year helped the ‘Jacks win the North Division title, a CRBL championship, and a berth in the WBA tournament. In the 13-7 CRBL championship win vs. Cadott – Stan’s lone appearance in a title game – he was 2 for 6 with a double, 2 RBI’s, and 2 runs scored.
After completing his career as a part-time but still productive player for the Lumberjacks in 1984, Stan’s league resume included an All-CRBL award in for his memorable 1983 season. The remarkably high level of bat control Prince regularly employed was the tool by which he crafted an attention grabbing lifetime average of .365, placing him 10th all-time in CRBL competition.
With his induction, Mr. Prince joins brothers and fellow sluggers Joe and Pat as CRBL Hall of Famers and immortals.