The 97th season of Chippewa River Baseball League action is at the midway point as league title races and playoff battles come into focus.
Here is a look at three things to watch as the league reaches the second half of the regular season.
A look at the American Legion baseball scene around Chippewa County
Summer is here and so is American Legion baseball. Here's a look around Chippewa County at the teams in action.
New faces atop North
The Tilden Tigers are the only team in the North Division to have the division championship in more than a decade.
That streak could end this summer as the Cadott Red Sox (9-0) and Chippewa Falls LumberJacks (8-4) own first and second, respectively, in the standings. The Red Sox are the league's last unbeaten team and have carried momentum over from last season when the squad won its regional in the Wisconsin Baseball Association state tournament, reaching the quarterfinals for the first time in more than 40 years.
The Red Sox have come of age in recent years, finishing 10-10 in both 2023 and 2024 after posting a 3-18 record in 2022. Cadott enters play Wednesday with the league's top run differential (+79). The LumberJacks shared the North Division championship in 2013 with the Jim Falls Sturgeons, the last time a team beside the Tigers and Eau Claire Cavaliers — who are now in the South Division — secured the division crown. Tilden (2-5) has played the fewest games in the league and still boasts a veteran roster that has won plenty in the past. Jim Falls (4-6) and Bloomer (1-8) could also factor into the race as contenders or spoilers.
Tight fight atop South
As is usually the case, the South Division features several contenders for the top spot as three teams begin play Wednesday within one game of the lead.
The Eau Claire Bears (8-2) are in first place with the defending league champion Eau Claire Cavaliers (7-2) one-half game back. The reigning South Division champion Osseo Merchants (8-4) are within one game of the top. Osseo has won the last seven South Division championships and still has three meetings remaining with the Eau Claire teams, including Wednesday's matchup versus the Cavaliers at Carson Park.
Chippewa Falls baseball struggles to limit 2-out damage in sectional semifinal loss to Hudson
Despite jumping out to an early lead, the Cardinals struggled to limit the Raiders' two-out offense en route to a double-digit defeat.
The Whitehall Whitetails (3-5) have been competitive in the town's return to the CRBL and Augusta (2-9) and Beef River (1-8) have found victories already.
Big matchups on the horizon
Several games over the next six weeks will dictate who emerges as division champions and reaches the playoffs.
Cadott and Chippewa Falls still have two games against each other (July 2 and 13) while Tilden has two games against Cadott (Friday and July 16). The Bears have two games against the Cavaliers and one with the Merchants as well as a key doubleheader versus the North leading Red Sox scheduled for Sunday. The Cavs still see the Merchants and Bears twice.
Seniors make most of opportunity, lead young McDonell roster to Division 4 state semifinals
Three McDonell seniors are thriving in their first significant playing time for the Macks, who will face reigning two-time Division 5 champion Stevens Point Pacelli in the Division 4 semis.
In addition to those important battles the Tigers will be hosting the annual CRBL All-Star Game on July 6 at Casper Park. The league's Hall of Fame Class of 2025 will also be recognized. The league's Wildcard Wednesday playoff semifinals are set for July 30 with the two victors meeting Aug. 2 for the league championship.
IN PHOTOS: Chippewa River Baseball League All-Star Game in Jim Falls 7-7-24
Photos from Sunday's Chippewa River Baseball League All-Star Game in Jim Falls. The South Division won 2-0.
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