Pioneer League

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. Starting in 1964, it was a rookie minor league, playing a short season that began in June. It played its last season as an affiliated league in 2019, as the 2020 season was cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and then converted in 2021 to an independent professional league. It is designated as an MLB Partner League.

Over the years, it had as few as four and as many as eight teams. Most recently it has operated with two divisions of four teams, and since 1995, played under a split-season format.

Current Teams

Team	Location	Manager
Billings Mustangs	Billings, MT	Billy Horton
Boise Hawks	Boise, ID	Gary Van Tol
Glacier Range Riders	Kalispell, MT	Stu Pederson
Grand Junction Jackalopes	Grand Junction, CO	Chris Knabenshue
Great Falls Voyagers	Great Falls, MT	Tommy Thompson
Idaho Falls Chukars	Idaho Falls, ID	Dave Clark
Missoula PaddleHeads	Missoula, MT	Michael Schlact
Northern Colorado Owlz	Windsor, CO	Frank Gonzales
Oakland Ballers	Oakland, CA	Aaron Miles
Ogden Raptors	Ogden, UT	Kash Beauchamp
Rocky Mountain Vibes	Colorado Springs, CO	Les Lancaster
Yuba-Sutter High Wheelers	Marysville, CA	Billy Horton

Pioneer League Hall of Fame

The Pioneer League Hall of Fame/Museum was established in 2013.

League Champions and Statistical Leaders

Year	Champion	Batting Champion	Home Run Leader	ERA Champion
1939	Twin Falls Cowboys	.409 - Pete Hughes, Ogden	58 - Tony Robello, Pocatello	3.68 - Robert Costello, Ogden
1940	Ogden Reds	.356 - Bobby Adams, Ogden	22 - Tony Robello, Pocatello	2.19 - Larry Jansen, Salt Lake City
1941	Ogden Reds	.339 - Charles Henson, Salt Lake City	15 - Joe Egnatic, Boise	2.21 - Clayton Lambert, Ogden
1942	Pocatello Cardinals	.340 - Willie Enos, Salt Lake City	20 - Tony Robello, Pocatello	2.24 - John Hetki, Ogden
1946	Salt Lake City Bees	.363 - Charles Henson, Salt Lake City	29 - Harry Heslet, Twins Falls	1.52 - Bob Chesnes, Salt Lake City
1947	Twin Falls Cowboys	.360 - Tom McLaughlin, Pocatello	22 - Walter Lowe, Boise	2.68 - Robert Drilling, Salt Lake City
1948	Twin Falls Cowboys	.390 - Al Neal, Pocatello	25 - Al Neal, Pocatello	3.15 - Melvin Waters, Idaho Falls
1949	Pocatello Cardinals	.400 - Johnny Temple, Ogden	21 - Bill Renna, Twin Falls	3.00 - Richard Larner, Salt Lake City
1950	Billings Mustangs	.368 - Bob Van Eman, Salt Lake City	32 - Ray Posipanka, Twin Falls	2.54 - Larry Shepard, Billings
1951	Great Falls Electrics	.335 - Vern Campbell, Twin Fals	24 - Ron Harrison, Ogden	2.13 - Burton Barkelew, Salt Lake City
1952	Idaho Falls Russets	.343 - Steve Mesner, Ogden	31 - Dick Stuart, Billings	1.58 - Nicolas Genesta, Billings
1953	Salt Lake City Bees	.416 - Oscar Sardinas, Great Falls	28 - John Moskus, Salt Lake City	2.35 - Allen Flaugher, Ogden
1954	Great Falls Electrics	.372 - Tom Sarna, Idaho Falls	27 - Bernie Mateosky, Idaho Falls	3.10 - Kenneth Hommel, Ogden
1955	Magic Valley Cowboys	.48 - Arnold Hallgren, Boise	32 - Dick Stuart, Billings	2.31 - William Dunn, Billings
1956	Boise Braves	.364 - Robert Pascal, Magic Valley	28 - Mike Coppola, Pocatello	2.41 - Tommy Hull, Billings
1957	Billings Mustangs	.364 - Dick Greco, Missoula	30 - Dick Greco, Missoula	2.95 - Ernest Evans, Billings
1958	Boise Braves	.389 - Lou Klimchock, Pocatello	35 - Chuck Weatherspoon, Missoula	2.99 - Jim Kaat, Missoula
1959	Billings Mustangs	.390 - Billy Smith, Boise	24 - Jim Campbell, Idaho Falls; Bruno Terilli, Boise	2.81 - Bob Clear, Idaho Falls
1960	Boise Braves	.369 - Teo Acosta, Billings/Missoula	37 - Ray Reed, Boise	3.46 - David Eilers, Boise
1961	Great Falls Electrics	.361 - Domingo Carrasquel Sr., Great Falls	40 - Bobby Sanders, Magic Valley	3.39 - Richard Scarbrough, Great Falls
1962	Billings Mustangs	.346 - Harold Allen, Magic Valley	37 - Harold Allen, Magic Valley; Felix DeLeon, Billings	2.69 - Gerald Wild, Billings
1963	Idaho Falls Yankees	.349 - Gene Kerns, Magic Valley	35 - Alex Johnson, Magic Valley	3.07 - George Bechtold, Idaho Falls
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 - Jim 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	Great Falls Voyagers	.372 - Jerod Yakubik, Orem	18 - Jonathan Griffin, Missoula	2.23 - Taylor Siemens, Missoula
2012	Missoula Osprey	.379 - David Dahl, Grand Junction	16 - Julian Yan, Grand Junction	2.13 - Eddie Butler, Grand Junction
2013	Idaho Falls Chukars	.357 - Raimel Tapia, Grand Junction	14 - Jacob Scavuzzo, Ogden	2.87 - Jake Sanchez, Great Falls
2014	Billings Mustangs	.388 - Zach Houchins, Orem; Jake Peter, Great Falls	20 - Justin Chigbogu, Ogden	2.41 - Craig Schlitter, Grand Junction
2015	Missoula Osprey	.395 - Michael Pierson, Orem	15 - Austin Byler, Missoula	1.68 - Cameron Smith, Missoula
2016	Orem Owlz	.376 - Meibrys Viloria, Idaho Falls	17 - Ronnie Gideon, Helena	2.16 - Aron McRee, Great Falls
2017	Ogden Raptors	.398 - David MacKinnon, Orem	20 - Casey Golden, Grand Junction	2.50 - Elvin Rodriguez, Orem
2018	Great Falls Voyagers	.357 - Amado Nunez, Great Falls	14 - Zack Shannon, Missoula	2.85 - Jose Chacin, Ogden
2019	Idaho Falls Chukars	.383 - Brenton Doyle, Grand Junction	19 - Andy Pages, Ogden	3.58 - Carlos Luna, Rocky Mountain
2020	season cancelled

League Champions and Statistical Leaders

Year	Champion	Batting Champion	Home Run Leader	ERA Champion
2021	Missoula PaddleHeads	.412 David Maberry, Ogden	26 - Zach Almond, Missoula	0.77 - Robbie Baker, Grand Junction
2022	Grand Junction Rockies	.407 Riley Jepson, Great Falls	32 - Jayson Newman, Missoula	3.26 Elijah Gill, Billings
2023	Ogden Raptors	.449 Jake McMurray, Rocky Mountain	29 - Reese Alexiades, Ogden	2.82 Alfredo Villa, Missoula
2024	Yolo High Wheelers	.388 Adam Fogel, Missoula	35 - Adam Fogel, Missoula	1.97 Connor Langrell, Yolo

Cities Represented

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

California

• Davis, CA: Yolo High Wheelers, 2024
• Marysville, CA: Yuba-Sutter High Wheelers, 2025-present
• Oakland, CA: Oakland Ballers, 2024-present

Colorado

• Colorado Springs, CO: Rocky Mountain Vibes 2019-present
• Grand Junction, CO:
• Grand Junction Rockies 2012-19, 2021-2022;
• Grand Junction Jackalopes, 2023-present

Idaho

• Boise, ID:
  • Boise Pilots 1939-1942, 1946-1951, 1954
  • Boise Yankees 1952-1953
  • Boise Braves 1955-1963
  • Boise Hawks 2021-present
• 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

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, 2003-2018
• Kalispell, MT: Glacier Range Riders, 2022-present
• Missoula, MT:
  • Missoula Timberjacks 1956-1960
  • Missoula Osprey 1999-2019
  • Missoula PaddleHeads 2021-present

Utah

• Ogden, UT:
  • Ogden Reds 1939-1942, 1946-1955
  • Ogden Dodgers 1966-1973
  • Ogden Spikers 1974
  • Ogden Raptors 1994-present
• Orem, UT: Orem Owlz 2005-2019
• 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

Wyoming

• Casper, WY:
  • Casper Rockies 2001-2007
  • Casper Ghosts 2008-2011

Alumni

Hall of Famers

• Dick Allen, 1961, Magic Valley Cowboys
• George Brett, 1971 Billings Mustangs
• Bobby Cox, 1963 Great Falls Electrics
• Andre Dawson, 1975 Lethbridge Expos
• Todd Helton, 2010 Casper Ghosts, 2012 Grand Junction Rockies
• Trevor Hoffman, 1989 Billings Mustangs
• Jim Kaat, 1958 Missoula Timberjacks
• Tommy Lasorda, 1965/1968 Manager, Pocatello Chiefs/Ogden Dodgers
• Pedro Martinez, 1990 Great Falls Dodgers
• Frank Robinson, 1953 Ogden Reds
• Ryne Sandberg, 1978 Helena Phillies
• Bob Uecker, 1956, 1958 Boise Braves Ford C. Frick Award

Other Notables

• Jeff Cirillo, 1991 Helena Brewers
• Sid Fernandez, 1981 Lethbridge Dodgers
• Cecil Fielder, 1982 Butte Copper Kings
• Andres Galarraga, 1979 Calgary Expos
• Gary Sheffield, 1986 Helena Gold Sox
• George Bell(1978, Helena) 1987 AL MVP
• Ryan Braun (2005, Helena) 2011 NL MVP
• Jose Canseco (1982, Idaho Falls) 1988 AL MVP
• Josh Donaldson (2007, Boise) 2015 AL MVP
• Andre Dawson (1975, Lethbridge) 1987 NL MVP
• Steve Garvey (1968, Ogden) 1974 NL MVP
• Joey Votto (2003, Billings) 2010 NL MVP
• Chris Carpenter (1994, Medicine Hat) 2005 NL Cy Young Award
• Jake Peavy (1999, Idaho Falls) 2007 NL Cy Young Award
• Kris Bryant (2014, Boise) 2015 NL R.O.Y.
• Eric Karros (1988, Great Falls) 1992 NL R.O.Y.
• Gil McDougald (1948, Twin Falls) 1951 AL R.O.Y.
• Butch Metzger (1970, Great Falls) 1976 NL R.O.Y.
• Raúl Mondesí (1990, Great Falls ) 1994 NL R.O.Y.
• Wil Myers (2009, Idaho Falls) 2013 AL R.O.Y.
• Chris Sabo (2004, Billings, Coach) 1988 N.L. R.O.Y.
• Scott Williamson (1997, Billings) 1999 NL R.O.Y.
• Walt Weiss (1985, Pocatello) 1988 AL R.O.Y.
• Dontrelle Willis (2001, Boise) 2003 NL R.O.Y.

External Links

• The Pioneer Baseball League