After a promising finish to the 2019 campaign, Jim Falls embarked on 2020 with hopes of…a season. Unfortunately, that season could only be enjoyed by the likes of the great auk, the passenger pigeon, the wooly mammoth, and the dodo bird. While the pandemic continues to keep things uncertain, the team and the entire CRBL anticipate a more lively go of things in 2021.
There will be changes. Foremost, in order to minimize dates, the Sturgeons will play all their league games as doubleheaders, giving them five home dates. We will be asking our fans to observe all county protocols and to observe signage at Sturgeon Stadium for the safety of all. We do plan to safely reopen our world famous (It’s a small world.) concession stand for those games, and we will have some special events along with the customary fabulous prizes for our more fortunate fans.
Peter Thaler may consider last year as a managerial internship after taking over from Nick Pitsch who was promoted to the Kuwait Sturgeons in 2020. Nick will be back to support Pete as the latter pilots Jim Falls through a real schedule.
With no official statistics from a 2020 set of exhibition games, we will point out some unofficial ones. Leading hitters among expected returners included Kole Smith at .379, Ryan Krumenauer (.370), Tristin Hable (.300), and Jake Eslinger (.294). On the mound, Isaac Lindstrom impressed with a 1.80 ERA, while Thaler chipped in at 4.07 and Hable recorded 4.50. Meanwhile, Beau Sweitzer fanned 14 batters in. 11.1 innings.
Looking back at numbers for returnees from 2019, we find Hable leading the way at the plate at .400 followed by veteran Bob Maurer averaging .345. Sweitzer’s 30 Ks in 26.1 innings top returning pitcher’s stats.
Grudem field will boast beautiful new dugouts thanks to to Eagle Scout project of Joe Luther, along with the help of a platoon of volunteers representing Troop 120 and financed by donations in the memories of CRBL Hall-of-Famers Roger “Duke” Bergeron and Dave Hepfler. The entire Sturgeon family cannot say Thank You enough for the contributions and efforts of all.
Finally, in the words of The Who in the rock opera Tommy, we’ve “got a feeling ’21 is gonna be a good year.” We invite you to join us in it.
ROSTER: Tyrel Bates, Cole Bowe, Jake Eslinger, Eli Hable, Tristin Hable, Mitch Howard, Will Jacobson, Ravin Keyeski, Wyatt Keyeski, Anthony Koslowski, Ryan Krumenauer, Isaac Lindstrom, Hunter Martell, Bob Maurer. Nick Pitsch, Hunter Sillman, Kole Smith, Beau Sweitzer, Austin Sykora, Peter Thaler, Justin Toman, Barron Tucci
Peter Thaler (Manager)
Not official WBA Roster
2020 Leaders
Batting Average
- Kole Smith .379
- Ryan Krumenauer .370
- Tristin Hable .300
- Jake Eslinger .294
Pitching
- Isaac Lindstrom 1.80 ERA
- Peter Thaler 4.07 ERA
- Tristin Hable 4.50 ERA
- Beau Sweitzer 14 K in 11.1 IP
Sponsors
Grudem Field – Jim Falls, WI
Jim Falls Sturgeons 2021 CRBL Schedule
Coach Pete Thaler
- Current Team
- Jim Falls Sturgeons