Pioneer League
Encyclopedia
The Pioneer League is a minor league baseball
league which currently operates in the Rocky Mountain
region of the United States
. In the past, it also operated in adjoining portions of Canada
. Classified as a Rookie league, the Pioneer League is predominantly made up of players out of high school and is almost exclusively the first professional league many players compete in. The Pioneer League is a short-season league operating from June to early September.
The Pioneer Baseball League began in 1939 with six teams in Idaho
and Utah
. The league suspended operations for the 1943 through 1945 seasons. In 1948, the league expanded into Montana
. At that time, several of the teams were operating as minor league affiliates of Pacific Coast League
teams, which were unsuccessfully trying to grow into a major league
. When the Los Angeles Dodgers
displaced the Hollywood Stars
PCL team, they moved to Salt Lake City, Utah
, taking away the Pioneer League's largest market. By 1959, the league was down to six teams, and by 1964, there were only four, but by the end of the 1970s there were eight teams. The league today also has eight teams, a number that is not likely to change without further expansion or contraction within Major League Baseball
.
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
league which currently operates in the Rocky Mountain
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
region of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In the past, it also operated in adjoining portions of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Classified as a Rookie league, the Pioneer League is predominantly made up of players out of high school and is almost exclusively the first professional league many players compete in. The Pioneer League is a short-season league operating from June to early September.
The Pioneer Baseball League began in 1939 with six teams in Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
and Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
. The league suspended operations for the 1943 through 1945 seasons. In 1948, the league expanded into Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
. At that time, several of the teams were operating as minor league affiliates of Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
teams, which were unsuccessfully trying to grow into a major league
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. When the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
displaced the Hollywood Stars
Hollywood Stars
The Hollywood Stars were a minor league baseball team that played in the Pacific Coast League during the early and mid 20th century. They were the arch-rivals of the other Los Angeles based PCL team, the Los Angeles Angels.-Hollywood Stars :...
PCL team, they moved to Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197...
, taking away the Pioneer League's largest market. By 1959, the league was down to six teams, and by 1964, there were only four, but by the end of the 1970s there were eight teams. The league today also has eight teams, a number that is not likely to change without further expansion or contraction within Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Current teams
Division | Team | MLB Affiliation | City | Stadium | Capacity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Northern | Billings Mustangs Billings Mustangs The Billings Mustangs are a minor league baseball team based in Billings, Montana. The Mustangs are the Pioneer League Rookie affiliate of the Major League Cincinnati Reds. The team has been a part of the Pioneer League since 1948 with a five-year gap between 1964 and 1968, and has been affiliated... |
Cincinnati Reds Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890.... |
Billings Billings, Montana Billings is the largest city in the U.S. state of Montana, and is the principal city of the Billings Metropolitan Area, the largest metropolitan area in over... , Montana Montana Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,... |
Dehler Park Dehler Park Dehler Park is a multi-use stadium in Billings, Montana. It is primarily used for baseball and is the home of the Billings Mustangs in the Pioneer League. The ballpark opened on June 29, 2008 and has a capacity of 3,500 people . It replaced Cobb Field which was a fixture in Billings since the 1930's... |
3,500 |
Great Falls Voyagers | Chicago White Sox Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans... |
Great Falls Great Falls, Montana Great Falls is a city in and the county seat of Cascade County, Montana, United States. The population was 58,505 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Great Falls, Montana Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Cascade County... , Montana Montana Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,... |
Centene Stadium | 4,000 | |
Helena Brewers Helena Brewers The Helena Brewers are a minor league baseball team in the Pioneer League and are the Advanced Rookie League affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Helena, Montana... |
Milwaukee Brewers Milwaukee Brewers The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League... |
Helena Helena, Montana Helena is the capital city of the U.S. state of Montana and the county seat of Lewis and Clark County. The 2010 census put the population at 28,180. The local daily newspaper is the Independent Record. The Helena Brewers minor league baseball and Helena Bighorns minor league hockey team call the... , Montana Montana Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,... |
Kindrick Field Kindrick Field Kindrick Field is a baseball park located in Helena, Montana which serves as the home field of the Helena Brewers minor league baseball team, and the two American Legion teams, the Senators and Reps. It was built in 1939 and holds 2,010 people.-References:... |
2,010 | |
Missoula Osprey Missoula Osprey The Missoula Osprey is a minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks in Missoula, Montana. The team plays its home games at Ogren Park at Allegiance Field. The club is a member of the Pioneer League, a short-season league which is designated Rookie Advanced.The Osprey... |
Arizona Diamondbacks Arizona Diamondbacks The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field... |
Missoula Missoula, Montana Missoula is a city located in western Montana and is the county seat of Missoula County. The 2010 Census put the population of Missoula at 66,788 and the population of Missoula County at 109,299. Missoula is the principal city of the Missoula Metropolitan Area... , Montana Montana Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,... |
Ogren Park at Allegiance Field Ogren Park at Allegiance Field Ogren Park at Allegiance Field is a stadium in Missoula, Montana. It is primarily used for baseball, and is the home field of the Missoula Osprey Pioneer League baseball team. Built in 2004, it seats 3,500 people. The park replaced Lindbord-Cregg Field. The field dimensions are to the left field... |
3,500 | |
Southern | Grand Junction Rockies Grand Junction Rockies The Grand Junction Rockies are a minor league baseball team in the Pioneer League based in Grand Junction, Colorado, United States, where they play at Suplizio Field... |
Colorado Rockies Colorado Rockies The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains... |
Grand Junction Grand Junction, Colorado The City of Grand Junction is the largest city in western Colorado. It is a city with a council–manager government form that is the county seat and the most populous city of Mesa County, Colorado, United States. Grand Junction is situated west-southwest of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. As... , Colorado Colorado Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains... |
Suplizio Field Suplizio Field Sam Suplizio Field is a stadium in Grand Junction, Colorado, United States. It is named after former Denver Bears right fielder, New York Yankees prospect and MLB Coach Sam Suplizio.. Starting in June 2012, it will be the home of the Rookie-level Grand Junction Rockies of the Pioneer League.The... |
2,500 |
Idaho Falls Chukars Idaho Falls Chukars The Idaho Falls Chukars are a minor league baseball affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. They play in Idaho Falls, Idaho, at Melaleuca Field which holds 3,400 fans. The dimensions of the ball park are 340'left, 400'center, 350'right. The playing surface is Natural Grass... |
Kansas City Royals Kansas City Royals The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium... |
Idaho Falls Idaho Falls, Idaho Idaho Falls is a city in and the county seat of Bonneville County, Idaho, United States, and the largest city in Eastern Idaho. As of the 2010 census, the population of Idaho Falls was 56,813, with a metro population of 130,374.... , Idaho Idaho Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state.... |
Melaleuca Field Melaleuca Field Melaleuca Field is a stadium in Idaho Falls, Idaho. It is primarily used for baseball, and is the home field of the Idaho Falls Chukars minor league baseball team. It was built in 2006. It holds 3,400 people and has 8 luxury suites... |
3,400 | |
Ogden Raptors Ogden Raptors The Ogden Raptors are a minor league baseball team in the Pioneer League based in Ogden, Utah, United States. The club plays at Lindquist Field, whose view beyond the outfield fence was named the best in professional baseball by a staff writer for Grand Slam Enterprises, INC.The Raptors are one of... |
Los Angeles Dodgers Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming... |
Ogden Ogden, Utah Ogden is a city in Weber County, Utah, United States. Ogden serves as the county seat of Weber County. The population was 82,825 according to the 2010 Census. The city served as a major railway hub through much of its history, and still handles a great deal of freight rail traffic which makes it a... , Utah Utah Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the... |
Lindquist Field Lindquist Field Lindquist Field is a stadium in Ogden, Utah. It is primarily used for baseball and soccer, and is the home field of the Ogden Raptors minor league baseball team. It was built in 1997.... |
5,602 | |
Orem Owlz Orem Owlz The Orem Owlz are a minor league baseball farm team affiliated with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball franchise. The team plays in Orem, Utah.... |
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles... |
Orem Orem, Utah Orem is a city in Utah County, Utah, United States, in the north-central part of the state. It is adjacent to Provo, Lindon, and Vineyard and is about south of Salt Lake City. Orem is one of the principal cities of the Provo-Orem, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Utah and... , Utah Utah Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the... |
Brent Brown Ballpark | 5,000 | |
Pioneer League Teams (1939-)
- Billings MustangsBillings MustangsThe Billings Mustangs are a minor league baseball team based in Billings, Montana. The Mustangs are the Pioneer League Rookie affiliate of the Major League Cincinnati Reds. The team has been a part of the Pioneer League since 1948 with a five-year gap between 1964 and 1968, and has been affiliated...
- Boise Braves
- Boise HawksBoise HawksThe Boise Hawks are a minor league baseball team, located in Boise, Idaho. The team is currently a farm team for the Chicago Cubs and play in the Short-Season Class A Northwest League.-History:...
/Angels/Cubs - Boise Pilots
- Boise YankeesBoise YankeesThe Boise Yankees were a minor league baseball team that played from 1952 to 1953 in the Pioneer League. Based in Boise, Idaho, they were affiliated with the New York Yankees in both their years of existence. They played their home games at Joe Devine Airway Park.A notable person to play for the...
- Butte Copper Kings
- Caldwell CubsCaldwell CubsThe Caldwell Cubs were a minor league baseball team located in Caldwell, Idaho. The team played in the Pioneer League from 1964 to 1971, and were affiliated with the Chicago Cubs. From 1964 to 1966, they were known as the Treasure Valley Cubs. Their home stadium was Simplot Stadium....
- Calgary CardinalsCalgary ExposThe Calgary Expos were a minor league baseball team located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada from 1977-84. The team was a member of the Rookie level Pioneer League. The team was known as the Calgary Cardinals in 1977-78 after their affiliation with the St. Louis Cardinals...
- Calgary ExposCalgary ExposThe Calgary Expos were a minor league baseball team located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada from 1977-84. The team was a member of the Rookie level Pioneer League. The team was known as the Calgary Cardinals in 1977-78 after their affiliation with the St. Louis Cardinals...
- Casper Ghosts
- Casper RockiesCasper RockiesThe Grand Junction Rockies are a minor league baseball team in the Pioneer League based in Grand Junction, Colorado, United States, where they play at Suplizio Field...
- Gate City Pioneers
- Great Falls Dodgers
- Great Falls ElectricsGreat Falls ElectricsThe Great Falls Electrics were a minor league baseball team that operated out of Great Falls, Montana. The team was formed in 1911 as part of the old Union Association league. They also played in the Northwestern League from 1916-1917. The team disbanded at that time and then was reformed as part...
- Great Falls Giants
- Great Falls Selectrics
- Great Falls Voyagers
- Great Falls White SoxGreat Falls White SoxThe Great Falls Voyagers are a minor league baseball team based in Great Falls, Montana. This team has played continuously since 1969, and also played in the Pioneer League from 1948 to 1963....
- Helena Braves
- Helena BrewersHelena BrewersThe Helena Brewers are a minor league baseball team in the Pioneer League and are the Advanced Rookie League affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Helena, Montana...
- Helena Gold Sox
- Helena Phillies
- Idaho Falls A's
- Idaho Falls Angels
- Idaho Falls Braves
- Idaho Falls ChukarsIdaho Falls ChukarsThe Idaho Falls Chukars are a minor league baseball affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. They play in Idaho Falls, Idaho, at Melaleuca Field which holds 3,400 fans. The dimensions of the ball park are 340'left, 400'center, 350'right. The playing surface is Natural Grass...
- Idaho Falls Gems
- Idaho Falls Nuggets
- Idaho Falls Padres
- Idaho Falls Russets
- Idaho Falls Yankees
- Idaho Expos
- Idaho Spuds
- Lethbridge Black DiamondsLethbridge Black DiamondsThe Lethbridge Black Diamonds were a minor league baseball team located in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. The team was previously known as the Lethbridge Mounties from 1992-1995 before becoming the Lethbridge Black Diamonds from 1996-1998. The team was one of the first two farm clubs of the Arizona...
- Lethbridge Dodgers
- Lethbridge ExposLethbridge ExposThe Lethbridge Expos arrived in Lethbridge, Alberta 65 years after the city had last hosted a professional baseball team. In their debut 1975 season the team went 35–37, third in the four-team Pioneer League, under manager Van Kelly...
- Lethbridge Mounties
- Lewiston Indians
- Lewiston Orioles
- Magic Valley Cowboys
- Medicine Hat A's
- Medicine Hat Blue JaysMedicine Hat Blue JaysThe Medicine Hat Blue Jays were the Toronto Blue Jays rookie-level affiliate in the Pioneer League beginning in 1978 and remained with their parent club for 25 seasons. They played their home games at Athletic Park. Over the years, the club generally struggled on the field and with attendance, but...
- Missoula OspreyMissoula OspreyThe Missoula Osprey is a minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks in Missoula, Montana. The team plays its home games at Ogren Park at Allegiance Field. The club is a member of the Pioneer League, a short-season league which is designated Rookie Advanced.The Osprey...
- Missoula Timberjacks
- Ogden Dodgers
- Ogden RaptorsOgden RaptorsThe Ogden Raptors are a minor league baseball team in the Pioneer League based in Ogden, Utah, United States. The club plays at Lindquist Field, whose view beyond the outfield fence was named the best in professional baseball by a staff writer for Grand Slam Enterprises, INC.The Raptors are one of...
- Ogden Reds
- Ogden Athletics
- Ogden Spikers
- Orem OwlzOrem OwlzThe Orem Owlz are a minor league baseball farm team affiliated with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball franchise. The team plays in Orem, Utah....
- Pocatello Athletics
- Pocatello Bannocks
- Pocatello Cardinals
- Pocatello ChiefsPocatello ChiefsThe Pocatello Chiefs were a minor league baseball team located in Pocatello, Idaho. The team began as the Pocatello Bannocks in 1952. They played in the Pioneer League originally as an affiliate of the St. Louis Browns and then the Kansas City Athletics in 1956...
- Pocatello Gems
- Pocatello GiantsPocatello GiantsThe Pocatello Giants were a professional minor league baseball team located in Pocatello, Idaho. The team played in the Rookie-level Pioneer League, and were affiliated with the San Francisco Giants for the 1988 and 1989 seasons; prior affiliation was with the Oakland A's. The home stadium was...
- Pocatello Pioneers
- Pocatello Posse
- Provo Angels
- Provo Expos
- Provo Gulls
- Salt Lake City Bees
- Salt Lake City GiantsSalt Lake City GiantsThe Salt Lake City Giants played in the Pioneer Baseball League from 1967 to 1968. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, they were affiliated with the San Francisco Giants and played their home games at Derks Field.-Year-by-year record:...
- Salt Lake City TrappersSalt Lake City TrappersThe Salt Lake City Trappers were an independent Pioneer League minor league baseball team, based in Salt Lake City from 1985 to 1992. The Trappers played their home games at Derks Field, located at the present-day site of Spring Mobile Ballpark. The team is best known for winning 29 consecutive...
- Treasure Valley Cubs
- Twin Falls CowboysTwin Falls CowboysThe Twin Falls Cowboys were a minor league baseball team from 1939 up until 1951 in the Pioneer Baseball League. Their affiliation was with the New York Yankees. The Cowboys home stadium was in Twin Falls, ID. Statistics for the team between the 1939 and 1949 seasons are poorly kept...