The Chaseburg Coon Valley Blues
Chaseburg and Coon Valley both had town baseball teams prior to 1980. Art Dahlke coached the Chaseburg town team until 1978, when Burt Ekern took over the coaching duties. The Coon Valley town team was discontinued in 1980, partially due to the death of their manager, Bruce Larson. Players that played for Coon Valley were welcomed on the Chaseburg team.
Chaseburg won the State Wisconsin Baseball Association Title in 1985 in Hayward, Wisconsin.
In 1986 the team name was officially changed to “Chaseburg – Coon Valley”, and the team began playing some of its games in Coon Valley because of the lighted field and the ability to play night games. Eventually all games were moved to Coon Valley due to the better facility and constant improvements to the field.
Red uniform tops were worn until 1999 when the team switched to blue tops and added “Blues” to their name.
Metal bats were used until the 2000 season when the Mississippi Valley League made the decision to go as a wood bat league. The CCV Blues homerun production went from 75 in 1999 to 20 in 2000 due to the change. But, the change to wood bats had the positive effect of making the game better and hits were now hits and not a “clink” off the metal bat handle.
Another change that took place in 2000 was that several older players on the CCV Blues left and formed a team called the Coulee Region Titans. But, the Blues continued on and compiled a season record of 33-17 with much younger players.
An interesting team highlight occurred in the 1993 WBA Tournament that was played in Haugen, Wisconsin. Bret Cavadini, on the mound, as CCV defeated Spooner 3-2. Pitching for Spooner was Jarrod Washburn, who became a major league pitcher with the California Angels.
The Blues continue playing today and will start the 2007 season with Burt Ekern as the General Manager. Ryan Levendoski will be the Manager and Ryan Niedfeldt will be the Coach. The 2007 season will mark the 30th season since Burt Ekern took over the coaching duties of the Chaseburg town team in 1978.
Blues Baseball is fun and entertaining to watch. Join us at “The Park” in Coon Valley for a Blues game and join in the fun. The CCV Blues 2007 schedule is available on the website.