Welcome to another season of competitive and organized local baseball in the historical and documented Chippewa River Baseball League. It is with great pride and respect that we recognize 2020 as the 92nd season of baseball in the CRBL over a 112-year span of time dating back to 1908. It truly is incredible to consider that over 12,600 individuals have played in the CRBL over this long and storied existence. Definitively stated, very few if any baseball organizations across the United States – amateur or professional – can substantiate such a strong and rich place in America’s pastime as that of the Chippewa River Baseball.
Impressively, 2019 marked fourth year in a row that the Osseo Merchants have authoritatively ruled the CRBL landscape. Going 19 and 3, the skilled and balanced squad from Osseo captured their fourth consecutive South Division title before topping the Eau Claire Cavaliers 7-4 in the wild card game. In the CRBL title match, Osseo beat the North Division champion Tilden Tigers 12-6, staking claim to their fourth consecutive CRBL championship.
In WBA play, Osseo, Tilden, the Eau Claire Bears and Eau Claire Cavaliers made it to the Final 8 in Menomonie, marking the first time ever that four CRBL teams made it to the Finals. From this bunch, the Cavs and Tilden survived to battle one another in the WBA championship game, where the Cavs prevailed 11-3. With their first WBA crown, the Cavaliers joined the Thorp Cardinals (1953), Augusta Athletics (1994), Tilden Tigers (1995, 2004), Eau Claire Bears (2005, 2008, 2009), and Osseo Merchants (2019) as fellow CRBL franchises to become WBA champions.
Please take a few moments to page through this ad book and recognize the many generous sponsors, advertisers, and devoted supporters that permit the CRBL and its member teams to carry on the proud tradition of providing a quality amateur baseball league to the residents of the Chippewa Valley.
And once again, Old Man Winter’s dark clench of snow, cold, and ice has finally relented. Diamonds of grass, spheres of leather and cylinders of ash and maple await our arrival.