The Idaho Falls Chukars are an independent baseball team of the Pioneer League, which is not affiliated with

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...

(MLB) but is an MLB Partner League. They are located in

Idaho Falls, Idaho Idaho Falls (Shoshoni: Dembimbosaage) is a city in and the county seat of Bonneville County, Idaho, United States. It is the state's largest city outside the Boise metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the population of Idaho Falls was 64,8 ...

, and play their home games at

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 independent Minor League Baseball team. It was built during the Pioneer League 2006–07 offseason. American ...

. They adopted the name the Chukars following a fan vote when the major league affiliation changed after the 2003 season. A chukar is a game bird found in the region. The Chukars are the only professional sports team in

Eastern Idaho Eastern Idaho is the area of Idaho lying east of the Magic Valley region. It is generally understood to include: Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Bonneville, Butte, Caribou, Clark, Custer, Franklin, Fremont, Jefferson, Madison, Oneida, Power an ...

. In conjunction with a contraction of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Pioneer League, of which the Chukars have been members since 1940, was converted from an MLB-affiliated Rookie Advanced league to an independent baseball league and granted status as an MLB Partner League, with Idaho Falls continuing as members.

Franchise history

After fielding the

Idaho Falls Spuds The Idaho Falls Spuds were the first minor league baseball team based in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Playing from 1926 to 1928, the Spuds played as members of the Class C level Utah-Idaho League, winning league championships in 1926 and 1927 and hosting ...

in the

Utah–Idaho League The Utah–Idaho League was a minor league baseball organization founded in 1926. Playing as a six–team, Class C level league for its duration, the Utah–Idaho League franchises were based exclusively in Idaho and Utah as the name indicates. ...

from 1926 to 1928, the franchise restarted in 1940 and were called the Russets, playing in the Pioneer League. The team has played each season since then, under various major league affiliations and nicknames, except for three years that the Pioneer League suspended operation due to

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

. Some famous baseball alumni of Idaho Falls teams are

Billy Martin Alfred Manuel Martin Jr. (May 16, 1928 – December 25, 1989), commonly called "Billy", was an American Major League Baseball second baseman and manager who, in addition to leading other teams, was five times the manager of the New York Yan ...

Joe Maddon Joseph John Maddon (born February 8, 1954) is an American former professional baseball manager and coach. He has managed the Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball. Maddon began his coaching career in MLB ...

Jose Canseco José Canseco Capas Jr. (born July 2, 1964), nicknamed Parkway Jose, Mr. 40-40 and El Cañonero Cubano (The Cuban Cannon), is a Cuban-American former Major League Baseball (MLB) outfielder and designated hitter. During his time with the Oaklan ...

Mike Moustakas Michael Christopher Moustakas (; born September 11, 1988) is an American professional baseball infielder who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, and Cincinnati Reds. Moust ...

Eric Hosmer Eric John Hosmer (born October 24, 1989) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Kansas City Royals, San Diego Padres, and the Boston Red Sox ...

and Billy Butler. The Chukars are the only professional sports team in

. More than one million fans have attended Idaho Falls home games since the team moved into

in 2007.

Roster

Broadcasting

All exhibition, regular season and postseason games can be heard on

KSPZ KSPZ (980 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a sports talk format. Licensed to Ammon, Idaho, United States, the station serves the Idaho Falls/Ammon area. The station is currently owned by Sandhill Media Group, LLC and features programming f ...

( Fox Sports Radio affiliate) 980 AM - 98.7 FM throughout Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls and Pocatello. The signal also reaches part of Western Wyoming. John Balginy has been the "Voice of the Chukars" since 1985. For 2021, Tyler Petersen is the Director of Broadcasting & Media Relations, serving as the solo play-by-play voice for all road games and working in the booth with Balginy for all home games.

Notable alumni

Numerous Idaho Falls alumni advanced to Major League baseball, some alumni of note include: *

Raul Mondesi Raul, Raúl and Raül are the Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish, Galician, Asturian, Basque, Aragonese, and Catalan forms of the Anglo-Germanic given name Ralph or Rudolph. They are cognates of the French Raoul. Raul, Raúl or Raül may re ...

(2012) *

Danny Duffy Daniel Richard Duffy (born December 21, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals. After being drafted by the Royals in 2007, Duffy spent the ...

(2010) *

Wil Myers William Bradford Myers (born December 10, 1990) is an American professional baseball outfielder and first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Tampa Bay Rays and San Diego Padre ...

(2009) 2013 AL Rookie of the Year *

(2008) MLB All-Star *

Salvador Pérez Salvador Johan Pérez Diaz (born May 10, 1990), nicknamed "Salvy", is a Venezuelan-American professional baseball catcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He is a seven-time MLB All-Star, five-time Gold Glove Award wi ...

(2008–09) 3 × GG; 3 × MLB All-Star; 2015 World Series MVP *

Greg Holland Gregory Scott Holland (born November 20, 1985) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals, Washington N ...

(2007) 2 × MLB All-Star *

(2007) MLB All-Star * Billy Butler (2004) MLB All-Star *

Carlos Lezcano Carlos Manuel Lezcano (born September 30, 1955), is a former professional baseball player who played outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1980 to 1981 for the Chicago Cubs. His cousin, Sixto Lezcano, was also a Major League outfielder a ...

(2003, MGR) *

José Lobatón José Manuel Lobatón (born October 21, 1984) is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB)for the San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Nationals, New York Mets and Chicag ...

(2003) *

Óliver Pérez Óliver Pérez Martínez (born August 15, 1981) is a Mexican professional baseball pitcher for the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League. He previously played in MLB for the San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, ...

(2000) *

Jake Peavy Jacob Edward Peavy (born May 31, 1981) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, and San Francisco Giants. He batted and threw right- ...

(1999) 3 × MLB All-Star; 2007 NL wins Leader; 2× MLB ERA leader (2004, 2007); 2007 NL Cy Young Award *

Rick Sutcliffe Richard Lee Sutcliffe (born June 21, 1956), nicknamed "The Red Baron", is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Chicago Cubs, Baltimore Orioles, and St. Louis Cardinals between 1976 and ...

(Pitching coach: 1996-1997) 3 x MLB All-Star, 1984 NL Cy Young Award, 1979 NL Rookie of the Year, ESPN Broadcaster * Shawn Camp (1997) *

Matt Clement Matthew Paul Clement (born August 12, 1974) is a former Major League Baseball starting pitcher. Clement played for the San Diego Padres (–), Florida Marlins (), Chicago Cubs (–) and Boston Red Sox (–). While on the Red Sox active roster, he ...

(1995) MLB All-Star * Ben Davis (1995) * Dave Hilton (1992, MGR) *

Cloyd Boyer Cloyd Victor Boyer Jr. (September 1, 1927 – September 20, 2021) was an American right-handed pitcher and pitching coach in Major League Baseball who played between 1949 and 1955 for the St. Louis Cardinals (1949–52) and Kansas City Athletic ...

(1989, MGR) *

Kevin Brown Kevin Brown may refer to: Entertainment * Kevin Brown (blues musician) (born 1950), English blues guitarist * Kevin Brown (author) (born 1960), American journalist and translator * Kevin Brown (poet) (born 1970), American poet and teacher * Kevin ...

(1986) 6 × MLB All-Star; 2 × NL ERA Leader (1996, 2000) * Rod Gilbreath (1986–87, MGR) *

Al Martin Albert Lee Martin (born November 24, 1967) is a former professional baseball left fielder. He played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball, mostly for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He also played one season in the KBO League. Early life Martin gradua ...

(1986) * Jim Nettles (1984 MGR) *

Félix José Domingo Félix Andújar José (born May 2, 1965 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is a former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals, New York ...

(1984) MLB AS *

(1982) 6 × MLB All-Star; 2 × MLB home run leader (1988, 1991); 1986 AL Rookie of the Year; 1988 AL Most Valuable Player * Dick Schofield (1981) * Devon White (1981) 7 × GG; 3 × MLB All-Star *

(1981, MGR) 3 × MLB Manager of the Year (2008, 2011, 2015); MGR: 2016 World Series Champion — Chicago Cubs *

Gary Pettis Gary George Pettis (born April 3, 1958) is an American former professional baseball center fielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) and current third base coach for the Houston Astros. During his playing career, Pettis won five Gold Glove Awa ...

(1979) 5 × GG *

Tom Brunansky Thomas Andrew Brunansky (born August 20, 1960), nicknamed "Bruno", is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1981 to 1994 for the California Angels, Minnesota Twins, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, and Milwaukee Brewe ...

(1978) MLB All-Star * Mike Witt (1978) 2 × MLB All-Star; Perfect Game: 9/30/1984 *

Richard Dotson Richard Elliott Dotson (born January 10, 1959) is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball in the 1980s. He is best noted for his 22-7 performance of , helping the Chicago White Sox win the American League West Division championship ...

(1977) MLB All-Star *

Keith Comstock Keith Martin Comstock (born December 23, 1955) is an American baseball coach and former relief pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for parts of six seasons, spending time with the Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Pa ...

(1976) * Bobby Clark (1975) *

Mark Clear Mark Alan Clear (born May 27, 1956) is an American former two-time All Star Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played for the California Angels (1979–80, 1990), Boston Red Sox (1981–85), and Milwaukee Brewers (1986–88). He batted and ...

(1975) 2 × MLB All-Star *

Carney Lansford Carney Ray Lansford (born February 7, 1957) is an American former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a third baseman from 1978 to 1992, most notably as a member of the Oakland Athletics team that wo ...

(1975) MLB All-Star; 1981 AL Batting Title *

Thad Bosley Thaddis Bosley Jr. (born September 17, 1956) is an American former professional baseball outfielder for the California Angels (, ), Chicago White Sox (–), Milwaukee Brewers (), Seattle Mariners (), Chicago Cubs (–), Kansas City Royals (–198 ...

(1974) * Julio Cruz (1974) *

Larry Himes Lawrence Austin Himes (born October 7, 1940, in Riverside, California) is an American former general manager (GM) for two Major League Baseball (MLB) teams: the Chicago White Sox (1986–1990); and the Chicago Cubs (1991–1994). Himes is likely b ...

(1974–77, MGR) * Rance Mulliniks (1974) *

Dave Collins David S. Collins (born October 20, 1952) is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball from to . Collins is one of three players to have made it to the major leagues who played for the Rapid City Post 22 American Legion baseball program in ...

(1972) * Ron Jackson (1971) * Dan Briggs (1970–71) *

Dick Lange Richard Otto Lange (born September 1, 1948) is a retired professional baseball pitcher who spent four seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the California Angels from 1972 to 1975. Career Lange graduated from Bullock Creek High School i ...

(1970) * Sid Monge (1970) MLB AS *

Morris Nettles Morris Nettles (January 26, 1952 – January 24, 2017) was an American Major League Baseball outfielder who played two seasons with the California Angels in the mid-1970s. Nettles was drafted by the Angels in the second round of the 1970 Major ...

(1970) * Rudy Meoli (1969) *

Norm Sherry Norman Burt Sherry (July 16, 1931 – March 8, 2021) was an American baseball catcher, manager, and coach who played five seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets from 1959 to 1963. He bat ...

(1969, MGR) *

Lloyd Allen Lloyd Cecil Allen (born May 8, 1950) is a former professional baseball pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the California Angels (-), Texas Rangers (-), and Chicago White Sox (-). He was the first big league player born in th ...

(1968) *

Doug Griffin Douglas Lee Griffin (June 4, 1947 – July 27, 2016) was an American professional baseball second baseman who played for the California Angels and Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). Early life Griffin played high school baseball at ...

(1965) * Tom Egan (1964) *

Marty Perez Martin Roman Perez (born February 28, 1946) is a former shortstop and second baseman for the California Angels (1969–70), Atlanta Braves (1971–76), San Francisco Giants (1976), New York Yankees (1977) and Oakland Athletics (1977–78). He w ...

(1964–65) * Frank Fernández (1963) * Steve Whitaker (1962–63) *

Jim Shellenback James Philip Shellenback (born November 18, 1943) is an American former professional baseball pitcher and coach. He appeared in 165 Major League games for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1966–1967; 1969), Washington Senators/ Texas Rangers (1969– ...

(1962) *

Tommy McCraw Tommy may refer to: People * Tommy (given name) * Tommy Atkins, or just Tommy, a slang term for a common soldier in the British Army Arts and entertainment Film and television * ''Tommy'' (1931 film), a Soviet drama film * ''Tommy'' (1975 fil ...

(1961) * Jerry McNertney (1961) * Bob Locker (1960) * Jim Hicks (1960–61) *

Peanuts Lowrey Harry Lee "Peanuts" Lowrey (August 27, 1917 – July 2, 1986) was an American outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago Cubs (1942–43; 1945–49), Cincinnati Reds (1949–50), St. Louis Cardinals (1950–54) and Philadelp ...

(1960, MGR) MLB All-Star *

Fred Talbot Frederick Wilson Talbot (born 17 December 1949) is a Scottish former television presenter. He spent much of his career in North West England. In February 2015, and again in May 2017, he was found guilty of a string of indecent sexual assaults ...

(1960) *

Donn Clendenon Donn Alvin Clendenon (July 15, 1935 – September 17, 2005) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a first baseman from to . He is most notable for his performance during the 1969 World Series when he ...

(1959) 1969 World Series MVP * Jim Campbell (1959) *

Jake Wood Jake Dylan Wood (born 12 July 1972) is an English actor and podcaster, known for his role as Max Branning in the BBC soap opera '' EastEnders''. He has also made guest appearances in series including ''Only Fools and Horses'' and '' Red Dwarf'' ...

(1958) *

Buck Rodgers Robert Leroy "Buck" Rodgers (born August 16, 1938) is a former catcher, manager and coach in Major League Baseball. He managed three major league teams: the Milwaukee Brewers (1980–1982), Montreal Expos (1985–1991) and California Angels (19 ...

(1958) MLB Player; MLB MGR; 1987 NL Manager of the Year * Bob Johnson (1956) * Charlie Metro (1956, MGR) * Ken Rowe (1955) *

Pat Mullin Patrick Joseph Mullin (November 1, 1917 – August 14, 1999) was a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Detroit Tigers from 1940 to 1941 and 1946 to 1953. Born in Trotter, near Connellsville in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Mullin was signed ...

(1955, Player/MGR) 2 × MLB AS; * Bubba Morton (1955) *

Cuno Barragan Facundo Anthony "Cuno" Barragan (born June 20, 1932) is a former Americans, American professional baseball baseball player, player. He was a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs from to . Barragan, born in Sacramento, California ...

(1953) Inducted ''Mexican American Hall of Fame'' * John Briggs (1952–53) *

(1946) MLB All-Star; MGR: 1977 World Series Champion—New York Yankees *

Bill Wight William Robert Wight (April 12, 1922 – May 17, 2007) was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) who played from through for the New York Yankees (1946–47), Chicago White Sox (1948–50), Boston Red Sox (1951–52), Detroit Ti ...

(1941) * Clancy Smyres (1941) MLB autograph is more valuable than

Babe Ruth George Herman "Babe" Ruth Jr. (February 6, 1895 – August 16, 1948) was an American professional baseball player whose career in Major League Baseball (MLB) spanned 22 seasons, from 1914 through 1935. Nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Su ...

Elmer Singleton Bert Elmer Singleton (June 26, 1918 – January 5, 1996) was an American professional baseball player. The right-handed pitcher played all or part of seven seasons in Major League Baseball spread over 15 years (between 1945 and 1959) for the Bo ...

(1941) * Doc Marshall (1941) * Woody Main (1941) *

Ed Bahr Edson Garfield Bahr (October 16, 1919 – April 6, 2007) was a Canadian-born professional baseball pitcher who appeared in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates in and . Bahr was born in Rouleau, Saskatchewan, but graduated from West ...

(1940) * Ed Coleman (1927) File:Jose Canseco 1989.jpg, Jose Canseco 1989 File:Jake delivers.jpg, Jake Peavy, 2007 File:Kansas City Royals designated hitter Billy Butler.jpg, Kansas City Royals Billy Butler, 2011 File:-WorldSeries Game 1- Mike Moustakas (22887477815).jpg, Mike Moustakas, Game 1, 2015 World Series

References

External links