Pioneer League
From BR Bullpen
The Pioneer League was founded in 1939. Due to World War II, the league ceased operations after the 1942 season, but play resumed in 1946. Since 1964, it has been a rookie minor league, playing a short season that begins in June. Over the years, it has had as few as four and as many as eight teams. The league currently operates with two divisions of four teams, and since 1995, has played under a split-season format.
Contents |
[edit] Current Teams, Managers, and Affiliations
| North Division | South Division | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Manager | Parent Team | Team | Manager | Parent Team | |
| Billings Mustangs | Delino DeShields | Cincinnati Reds | Grand Junction Rockies | Tony Diaz | Colorado Rockies | |
| Great Falls Voyagers | Ryan Newman | Chicago White Sox | Idaho Falls Chukars | Brian Buchanan | Kansas City Royals | |
| Helena Brewers | Joe Ayrault | Milwaukee Brewers | Ogden Raptors | Damon Berryhill | Los Angeles Dodgers | |
| Missoula Osprey | Hector de la Cruz | Arizona Diamondbacks | Orem Owlz | Tom Kotchman | Los Angeles Angels | |
[edit] League Champions and Statistical Leaders
| Year | Champion | Batting Champion | Home Run Leader | ERA Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | Twin Falls Cowboys | 58 - Tony Robello, Pocatello | ||
| 1940 | Ogden Reds | |||
| 1941 | Ogden Reds | |||
| 1942 | Pocatello Cardinals | |||
| 1946 | Salt Lake City Bees | 29 - Harry Heslet, Twins Falls | 1.52 - Bob Chesnes, Salt Lake City | |
| 1947 | Twin Falls Cowboys | |||
| 1948 | Twin Falls Cowboys | |||
| 1949 | Pocatello Cardinals | |||
| 1950 | Billings Mustangs | |||
| 1951 | Great Falls Electrics | |||
| 1952 | Idaho Falls Russets | |||
| 1953 | Salt Lake City Bees | .416 - Oscar Sardinas, Great Falls | ||
| 1954 | Great Falls Electrics | |||
| 1955 | Magic Valley Cowboys | |||
| 1956 | Boise Braves | |||
| 1957 | Billings Mustangs | .364 - Dick Greco, Missoula | 30 - Dick Greco, Missoula | |
| 1958 | Boise Braves | |||
| 1959 | Billings Mustangs | |||
| 1960 | Boise Braves | |||
| 1961 | Great Falls Electrics | |||
| 1962 | Billings Mustangs | |||
| 1963 | Idaho Falls Yankees | |||
| 1964 | Treasure Valley Cubs | .311 - Juan Joa, Magic Valley | 12 - Johnny Smith, Pocatello | 2.13 - Paul Symeon, Treasure Valley |
| 1965 | Treasure Valley Cubs | .378 - Donald Anderson, Idaho Falls | 15 - Gary Cortopassi, Treasure Valley | 2.54 - Billy Patrick, Magic Valley |
| 1966 | Ogden Dodgers | .322 - Richard Thompson, Ogden | 11 - Frederick Rodriguez, Treasure Valley; Paul Campbell, Idaho Falls | 1.75 - Dennis James, Ogden |
| 1967 | Ogden Dodgers | .338 - Gary Pinnow, Salt Lake City | 7 - John Lung, Caldwell | 1.82 - Craig Baker, Idaho Falls |
| 1968 | Ogden Dodgers | .344 - Bill Buckner, Ogden | 20 - Steve Garvey, Ogden | 1.43 - Bruce Ellingsen, Ogden |
| 1969 | Ogden Dodgers | .354 - Gilbert Vidrio, Salt Lake City | 10 - Pedro Garcia, Billings | 1.15 - John Sielicki, Great Falls |
| 1970 | Idaho Falls Angels | .369 - Morris Nettles, Idaho Falls | 12 - Marc Mengo, Magic Valley | 1.95 - Dick Lange, Idaho Falls |
| 1971 | Great Falls Giants | .351 - Steve Stroughter, Great Falls | 14 - John Balaz, Idaho Falls | 1.89 - James Officer, Idaho Falls |
| 1972 | Billings Mustangs | .342 - Kenzie Davis, Billings | 11 - Randolph Wilson, Idaho Falls | 1.71 - Thomas O'Donnell, Great Falls |
| 1973 | Billings Mustangs | .354 - Tony Cabrera, Great Falls | 10 - Philip Robinson, Billings | 1.50 - Pete Falcone, Great Falls |
| 1974 | Idaho Falls Angels | .344 - Billy Taylor, Idaho Falls | 8 - Steve Henderson, Billings; Daniel Daniel, Ogden | 1.14 - John Roslund, Idaho Falls |
| 1975 | Great Falls Giants | .347 - Richard Brewster, Idaho Falls | 13 - Andre Dawson, Lethbridge | 1.89 - Carlos Perez, Idaho Falls |
| 1976 | Great Falls Giants | .370 - John Scoras, Lethbridge | 13 - John Scoras, Lethbridge | 1.53 - Lawrence Frakes, Billings |
| 1977 | Lethbridge Dodgers | .376 - James Reeves, Calgary | 21 - Michael Zouras, Lethbridge | 3.36 - Scott Budner, Great Falls |
| 1978 | Billings Mustangs | .462 - Gary Redus, Billings | 20 - Edward Packer, Idaho Falls | 1.97 - Richard Morgan, Medicine Hat |
| 1979 | Lethbridge Dodgers | .385 - Joseph Bruno, Helena | 20 - Willie Darkis, Helena | 1.12 - Rich Rodas, Lethbridge |
| 1980 | Lethbridge Dodgers | .376 - Randy Ready, Butte | 9 - Gerald Miller, Butte | 1.58 - Mark Dempsey, Great Falls |
| 1981 | Butte Copper Kings | .403 - Eric Peyton, Butte | 10 - Tom Fettig, Calgary; Glen Stacheit, Calgary | 1.54 - Sid Fernandez, Lethbridge |
| 1982 | Medicine Hat Blue Jays | .379 - Jeffrey Neuzil, Butte | 20 - Cecil Fielder, Butte | 1.12 - Todd Fischer, Idaho Falls |
| 1983 | Billings Mustangs | .391 - Victor Davila, Butte | 20 - Tom Krupa, Calgary | 2.21 - Hugh Kemp, Billings |
| 1984 | Helena Gold Sox | .402 - Jack Daugherty, Helena | 17 - Darryl Landrum, Medicine Hat | 2.56 - Clay Daniel, Billings |
| 1985 | Salt Lake City Trappers | .447 - Todd Brown, Helena | 11 - Peter Callas, Idaho Falls | 1.32 - Robert Lopez, Billings |
| 1986 | Salt Lake City Trappers | .391 - Darryl Hamilton, Helena | 16 - Greg Vaughn, Helena; Jeffrey Weiss, Idaho Falls | 1.60 - Joseph Lazor, Billings |
| 1987 | Salt Lake City Trappers | .417 - Mathis Huff, Salt Lake City | 12 - Michael Malinak, Salt Lake City | 1.98 - Samuel Chavez, Billings |
| 1988 | Great Falls Dodgers | .391 - Rob Maurer, Butte | 17 - Armando Verdugo, Salt Lake City | 2.20 - Sean Sedeker, Great Falls |
| 1989 | Great Falls Dodgers | .359 - Barry Winford, Butte | 13 - Ramces Guererro, Idaho Falls | 1.25 - Robert Taylor, Pocatello |
| 1990 | Great Falls Dodgers | .358 - David Hulse, Butte | 13 - Mike Busch, Great Falls | 2.57 - William Ambos, Salt Lake City |
| 1991 | Salt Lake City Trappers | .373 - Andy Fairman, Helena | 11 - Rick Hirtensteiner, Salt Lake City | 1.71 - John Gilligan, Salt Lake City |
| 1992 | Billings Mustangs | .357 - Tim Clark, Salt Lake City | 16 - Tim Unroe, Helena | 1.46 - Scott Karl, Helena |
| 1993 | Billings Mustangs | .358 - Todd Takayoshi, Pocatello | 16 - Willie Brown, Lethbridge | 1.38 - Dan Camacho, Great Falls |
| 1994 | Billings Mustangs | .372 - Jeremy Winget, Ogden | 14 - Chris Priest, Lethbridge; Nick Morrow, Billings | 2.05 - Jeff Kramer, Helena |
| 1995 | Helena Brewers | .388 - Jamie Lopiccolo, Ogden | 13 - Sean Watkins, Idaho Falls | 2.71 - Jay Veniard, Medicine Hat |
| 1996 | Helena Brewers | .424 - Kevin Sweeney, Lethbridge | 17 - Michael Rodriguez, Ogden; David Hayman, Lethbridge; Darron Ingram, Billings | 2.22 - Vladimir Nunez, Lethbridge |
| 1997 | Billings Mustangs | .448 - Greg Morrison, Medicine Hat | 23 - Greg Morrison, Medicine Hat | 1.29 - John Sneed, Medicine Hat |
| 1998 | Idaho Falls Braves | .397 - Jay Gibbons, Medicine Hat | 19 - Jay Gibbons, Medicina Hat | 2.32 - Pat Lynch, Medicine Hat |
| 1999 | Missoula Osprey | .363 - Casey Bookout, Billings | 19 - Troy Schader, Idaho Falls | 2.67 - Jose Mieses, Helena |
| 2000 | Idaho Falls Padres | .381 - Randy Ruiz, Billings | 20 - J.P. Woodward, Idaho Falls | 1.88 - Ricardo Rodriguez, Great Falls |
| 2001 | Billings Mustangs | .368 - Jesus Cota, Missoula | 16 - Jesse Gutierrez, Billings; Jesus Cota, Missoula | 2.05 - Jason Dennis, Provo |
| 2002 | Great Falls Dodgers | .379 - Paul McAnulty, Idaho Falls | 19 - Ryan Shealy, Casper | 0.96 - Cleris Severino, Billings |
| 2003 | Billings Mustangs | .391 - Lou Palmisano, Helena | 12 - Casey Fuller, Casper; Walter Olmstead, Billings | 1.64 - Daniel Davidson, Provo |
| 2004 | Provo Angels | .373 - Billy Butler, Idaho Falls | 19 - Robert Mosby, Billings | 2.54 - Ray Liotta, Great Falls |
| 2005 | Orem Owlz | .381 - Corey Wimberly, Casper | 15 - Christopher Cook, Casper | 2.43 - Brent Leach, Ogden |
| 2006 | Missoula Osprey | .354 - Daniel Dorn, Billings | 15 - Chris Carter, Great Falls | 2.14 - Sean O'Sullivan, Orem |
| 2007 | Orem Owlz | .372 - Caleb Gindl, Helena | 20 - Brandon Waring, Billings | 2.39 - Juan Moreno, Great Falls |
| 2008 | Great Falls Voyagers | .400 - Roberto Lopez, Orem | 15 - Luis Jimenez, Orem | 2.23 - Dexter Carter, Great Falls |
| 2009 | Orem Owlz | .372 - Dillon Baird, Orem | 18 - Brian Cavazos-Galvez, Ogden; Paul Goldschmidt, Missoula | 3.84 - Matt Wickswat, Great Falls |
| 2010 | Helena Brewers | .385 - Adam Eaton, Missoula | 15 - Nick Akins, Ogden | 2.05 - Albert Campos, Casper |
| 2011 | .372 - Jerod Yakubik, Orem | 18 - Jonathan Griffin, Missoula | 2.23 - Taylor Siemens, Missoula |
[edit] Cities Represented
[edit] Alberta
- Calgary, AB:
- Calgary Cardinals 1977-1978
- Calgary Expos 1979-1984
- Lethbridge, AB:
- Lethbridge Expos 1975-1976
- Lethbridge Dodgers 1977-1983
- Lethbridge Mounties 1992-1995
- Lethbridge Black Diamonds 1996-1998
- Medicine Hat, AB:
- Medicine Hat A's 1977
- Medicine Hat Blue Jays 1978-2002
[edit] Colorado
[edit] Idaho
- Boise, ID:
- Boise Pilots 1939-1942, 1946-1951, 1954
- Boise Yankees 1952-1953
- Boise Braves 1955-1963
- Caldwell, ID:
- Treasure Valley Cubs 1964-1966
- Caldwell Cubs 1967-1971
- Idaho Falls, ID:
- Idaho Falls Russets 1940-1942, 1946-1961
- Idaho Falls Yankees 1962-1963
- Idaho Falls Angels 1964-1981
- Idaho Falls A's 1982-1984
- Idaho Falls Nuggets 1985
- Idaho Falls Braves 1986-1999
- Idaho Falls Padres 2000-2003
- Idaho Falls Chukars 2004-present
- Lewiston, ID: Lewiston Indians 1939
- Pocatello, ID:
- Pocatello Cardinals 1939-1942, 1946-1951
- Pocatello Bannocks 1952-1956, 1961
- Pocatello Athletics 1957-1959
- Pocatello Giants 1960, 1987-1989
- Pocatello Chiefs 1962-1965
- Pocatello Gems 1984-1985
- Gate City Pioneers 1990
- Pocatello Pioneers 1991
- Pocatello Posse 1993
- Twin Falls, ID:
- Twin Falls Cowboys 1939-1942, 1946-1951
- Magic Valley Cowboys 1952-1957, 1961-1966, 1968-1971
[edit] Montana
- Billings, MT: Billings Mustangs 1948-1963, 1969-present
- Butte, MT: Butte Copper Kings 1978-1985, 1987-2000
- Great Falls, MT:
- Great Falls Electrics 1948, 1958-1963
- Great Falls Selectrics 1949-1950
- Great Falls Electrics 1951-1956
- Great Falls Dodgers 1957
- Great Falls Giants 1969-1983
- Great Falls Dodgers 1984-2002
- Great Falls White Sox 2003-2007
- Great Falls Voyagers 2008-present
- Helena, MT:
- Helena Phillies 1978-1983
- Helena Gold Sox 1984-1986
- Helena Brewers 1987-2000, 2003-present
- Missoula, MT:
- Missoula Timberjacks 1956-1960
- Missoula Osprey 1999-present
[edit] Utah
- Ogden, UT:
- Ogden Reds 1939-1942, 1946-1955
- Ogden Dodgers 1966-1973
- Ogden Spikers 1974
- Ogden Raptors 1994-present
- Orem, UT: Orem Owlz 2005-present
- Provo, UT: Provo Angels 2001-2004
- Salt Lake City, UT:
- Salt Lake City Bees 1939-1942, 1946-1957, 1969
- Salt Lake City Giants 1967-1968
- Salt Lake City Trappers 1985-1992
[edit] Wyoming
- Casper, WY:
- Casper Rockies 2001-2007
- Casper Ghosts 2008-2011
[edit] Alumni
[edit] Hall of Famers
- George Brett, 1971 Billings Mustangs
- Andre Dawson, 1975 Lethbridge Expos
- Frank Robinson, 1953 Ogden Reds
- Ryne Sandberg, 1978 Helena Phillies
[edit] Other Notables
- Jeff Cirillo, 1991 Helena Brewers
- Sid Fernandez, 1981 Lethbridge Dodgers
- Cecil Fielder, 1982 Butte Copper Kings
- Andres Galarraga, 1979 Calgary Expos
- Eric Karros, 1990 Great Falls Dodgers
- Pedro Martinez, 1990 Great Falls Dodgers
- Raul Mondesi, 1990 Great Falls Dodgers
- Gary Sheffield, 1986 Helena Gold Sox
