Position: Utility

Dennis Zech

Class of 2024

Utility

Lafayette Lakers 1981-93

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Spending the entirety of his CRBL career with the Lafayette Lakers, Dennis Zech put up impressive offensive numbers as one of the best power-hitting infielders of the 1980s and early-1990s.

During his 13 seasons of play for the Lakers, Dennis hit .400 or better in three campaigns – 1986, 26 for 45 (.400) and 1987, 18 for 44 (.409) – with a career high of .439 (18 for 41) in 1990.  In four other seasons, Zech hit better than .300.  His best year came in 1987, when he tied for the CRBL lead in homeruns with 8, while driving in 21 runs and hitting the aforementioned.409 (18 for 44) in 18 games for Lafayette.  A middle of the order run producer, Dennis drove in 19 runs in just 12 games for the Lakers in his 1990 season, in addition to another big year in 1991 during which he bombed 6 home runs and claimed 19 RBIs in just 15 games.

A member of three WBA qualifiers (1981, 1982, 1992), the right-handed swinging Zech shined in Lafayette’s 9 to 4, 1992 WBA regional semi-final victory over the Sparta Millers at Augusta, going 4 for 5 with 3 RBIs and a crucial 2-run homer in the 8th inning.  

  A participant in three CRBL All-Star games (1986, 1988, 1992), Dennis was named Honorable Mention All-CRBL four times: 1986 at utility, 1987 at utility, 1988 as a designated hitter, and 1989, again at utility. 

Upon induction, the Mashing Lakers’ all-time rankings can be found in slugging pct. (20th), OPS (25th), home runs (tied for 31st), and batting avg. (50th).     

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Hitting Statistics:         GP         AVG.        AB         H         1B         2B        3B        HR

            178         .326          595        194      133         30          3          28

 

  RBI       R     SB     BB         TB         SLG.        OBP.         OPS.

  137       111       32        103          314         .528          .433           .961

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.

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.

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.