SCVBL moves to three divisions; Hudson’s LaBreche named league president

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Change was the theme of 2012 St. Croix Valley Baseball League’s winter meeting last month as the league added a new ball club and elected new leadership.

Long-time SCVBL President Steve Truttman and Vice President Steve Milliren had both resigned over the winter and moving into the presidency is Hudson manager and league secretary Chris LaBreche. Prescott’s Brady Randoph was chosen as vice president, Ryan Stephens of New Richmond was elected treasurer and Josh Eidem of River Falls became the new league secretary.

After a four-year absence, the Spring Valley Hawks are back in the SCVBL. The club moved to River Falls in 2008 to become the Fighting Fish but a new Spring Valley Hawks club was established last spring and played an independent schedule last year.

“We’re very excited and can’t wait to play in the St. Croix Valley League again.” Spring Valley manager Erik Thompson said.

LaBreche said he is confident this version of the Hawks can succeed where the other had failed due to lack of community support.

“The league opted to reinstate the Spring Valley Hawks franchise after a four year absence, mainly on the strength of their personal enthusiasm and also on support from long time SCVBL player and former board member Brian Rudesill,” LaBreche said. “We will see how competitive they are, but I am confident that they will have the financial support from the town of Spring Valley.”

The addition of Spring Valley led to a new division set-up. After considerable discussion, three new divisions were established:

Eau Galle Division: River Falls Fighting Fish, Hudson River Rats, Elmwood Expos and the newly reinstated Spring Valley Hawks.

Mississippi Division: Prescott Pirates, Ellsworth Hubbers, Plum City Blues, Bay City Bombers and the Hager City Skeeters.

Red Cedar Division: Menomonie Eagles, Osceola Braves, New Richmond Millers and the St. Croix Falls Bandits.

“It wasn’t what I’d planned for, but like any other political process, it is a compromise of sorts,” LaBreche said. “At the very least, I was able to split the top three teams into their own divisions, which was the primary purpose of the realignment.”

The schedule will be unbalanced between 15 and 16 games — teams in the Eau Galle and Red Cedar divisions will play 15 games each (six intra-division and nine inter-division), while teams in the Mississippi division will play 16 games (eight intra-division and eight inter-division).

Tags: sports, baseball, proam