On Jan. 28, at the Ramada in downtown Eau Claire, six men will be inducted into the Eau Claire Baseball Hall of Fame at a dinner ceremony that organizers hope will become an annual event. The ceremony features special guest speaker Bruce Froemming, who was an umpire for a record 37 complete seasons in Major League Baseball. Froemming fit the criteria that the organizing committee was looking for in a speaker. He had a prominent career at the highest level of baseball and has ties to Eau Claire, having umpired in the Northern League early in his career. There will be a silent auction and raffle beginning at 5:30 pm and the dinner will follow at 7 pm. Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased by contacting Eau Claire Parks and Recreation Department by Monday, Jan. 26. Six men will comprise the second class to be inducted into the Eau Claire Baseball Hall of Fame, which is located in the Hank Aaron Plaza in Carson Park. Tom Poquette was drafted out of Eau Claire Memorial High School by the Kansas City Royals in the fourth round of the 1970 draft. He appeared in the big leagues in seven seasons for three different teams as an outfielder. Vic Johnson graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1939, and pitched in the majors from 1944 to 1946. The other inductees include Glenn St. Arnault, Harvey Tomter, Dizz Cronenberg, and Howie Bullock.  Cronenberg and Bullock founded little league baseball in Eau Claire in the 1950’s. The surviving inductees are scheduled to attend the ceremony.

    Eau Claire Baseball Hall of Fame Induction • Wednesday, Jan. 28 • Ramada Inn Convention Center, 205 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire • 5:30 pm silent auction and social; 7 pm dinner • call 839-5032 for tickets