Wisco Baseball has put together WBA preseason team rankings for both Divisions. The defending WBA tournament Champions – River Falls Fighting Fish and Osecola Braves – represent the top spots in each division. Follow Wisco Baseball on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/wisco_baseball/ for more information.
The River Falls Fighting Fish captured the Division A title defeating the Tilden Tigers 13-2 and the Osceola Braves took home the Division B title beating the Elmwood Expos 11-6.
Osceola BravesRiver Falls Fighting Fish
Division A Awards
Burt Ekern Memorial Offensive MVP – Lucas Luedtke, River Falls Fighting Fish
Mike Roiger Memorial Pitching MVP – Kyle Fritz, River Falls Fighting Fish
Dick Leonard Memorial Defensive MVP – Brian Giebel, River Falls Fighting Fish
Elmer Swanson Memorial Sportsmanship Award, River Falls Fighting Fish
Division B Awards
Burt Ekern Memorial Offensive MVP – Nick Carlson, Osceola Braves
Mike Roiger Memorial Pitching MVP – Nick Carlson, Osceola Braves
Dick Leonard Memorial Defensive MVP – Aaron Schmidt, Osceola Braves
Elmer Swanson Memorial Sportsmanship Award, Rib Lake Osprey
See brackets below for all weekend scores from both divisions.
The Spring Valley Hawks have been deemed ineligible for the Wisconsin Baseball Association (WBA) Division A finals due to use of an illegal player during regional action last week. The defending WBA state champs, Tilden Tigers, will now advance in place of Spring Valley and play the Chippewa Falls LumberJacks Friday, August 16th at 8:30 at First National Bank of River Falls Field.
The Wisconsin Baseball Association (WBA) had eight teams, from Division A and Division B, qualify for the final championship weekend. A change from 2023, there will be no pool play and a single elimination tournament style bracked to determine each division winner. Division A will play at First National Bank of River Falls Field and Division B will play at Mike Roiger Field in Whittlesey.
The Wisconsin Baseball Association (WBA) board has determined seedings, pairings and tournament schedule for the 2024 tournament. With eight sites hosting the opening round WBA tournament a total of 48 games will be played August 9th-11th in a pool play format. The final weekend, August 16th-18th will feature a single elimination format with eight teams qualifying from each division.
The new division format will crown two champions, Division A (large) and Division B (small).
Division A
Division B
WBA River Falls RegionalWBA Glidden RegionalWBA Wisconsin Rapids RegionalWBA Rib Lake / Interwald RegionalWBA Merril RegionalWBA Ellsworth RegionalWBA Haugen RegionalWBA Augusta Regional
All tournament booklets, contact lists and other details can be accessed below:
Present: Gary Isensee, Scott Sorenson, Chris LaBreche, Nicole Brannigan, Paul Juza, Dan Kraschnewski, Tim Lee, Andy Niese, Jeremiah Paulson, Steve Truttman (Directors); Steve Eder (Glidden), Forrest Schneider (Bay City), Duane Ives, Byron King (Augusta), Ryan Bembnister (EC Cavs), Del Zwifelhofer (Tilden), Blake Johnson (EC Bears), Callub Paulson (Haugen)
Time & Location: Sunday, April 7th, 11:30 AM, Sammy’s Pizza – Eau Claire
Announcements No changes to board of directors. Jim Falls requested inclusion in “A” Division for 2024 and was approved.
Discussion Moved by Andy Niese and seconded by Nicole Brannigan to confirm a 2 division playoff system for 2024, 2025, and 2026. Motion passed 10-0. Moved by Dan Kraschnewski and seconded by Chris LaBreche to set regional and final hosting fee to $1, 000 per site. Motion passed 10-0. Moved by Nicole Brannigan and seconded by Gary Isensee to purchase individual player plaques for Most Valuable awards, Sportsmanship award, and players on the championship teams for A and B divisions. 1st and 2nd Place team trophies to be purchased for A and B divisions. Motion passed 10-0.
Host Sites for 2024 WBA Tournament The following sites have been chosen to host the Wisconsin Baseball Association playoffs between August 9th through August 16th (Regionals) and August 16th through August 18th (Finals)…
Division A
Division B
Haugen Ball Park (Haugen Knights)
Jan Krueger Mem. Field (Augusta Athletics)
Athletic Park – Merrill (Merrill Rangers)
Glidden Ball Park (Glidden Orioles)
FNBRF Field – River Falls (RF Fighting Fish)
Tannery Creek Park (Rib Lake / Interwald)
Rapids Area Sports Complex – (Rapids Redhawks)
TBD – Bob Young Field (Ellsworth)
FINALS – FNBRF Field (River Falls)
FINALS – Whittlesey
WBA Seeding Meeting – Tuesday, August 6th – 7 PM – Sammy’s Pizza (site to be confirmed by April 19th—otherwise will be held at an alternate site in the Eau Claire / CF area.)
Rotation for State Finals is currently as follows (for “A” Division / Tier I): 2024 – St. Croix Valley 2025 – Independent 2026 – Dairyland 2027 – Mississippi Valley 2028 – Chippewa River The proposed State Finals rotation (not finalized) for the “B” Division / Tier II: 2024 – Dairyland 2025 – Mississippi Valley 2026 – Chippewa River 2027 – St. Croix Valley 2028 – Independent
The WBA board has received feedback from all participating league members and a major change will be coming to the WBA tournament for the 2024 tournament. Teams will be split into and A and B division based on population of participating teams. A total of 24 teams will participate in each divison for a total of 48 WBA teams. The semi-final weekend will have eight host sites with six teams particpating at each location.
The round-robin format will continue for the semifinal weekend of WBA baseball play. However, the second and final weekend will be a single elimination format.
The draftee ruled will be removed with the new 2024 WBA tournament format.