The Idaho Falls Chukars are an independent baseball team of the Pioneer League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB) but is an MLB Partner League. They are located in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and play their home games at Melaleuca Field.

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 not the only professional sports team in Eastern Idaho (see Spud Kings).

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 in the Utah–Idaho League from 1926 to 1928, the franchise restarted in 1940 and were called the Russets, playing in the Pioneer League.[citation needed] 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. It has played in its present city without interruption longer than any team in the league. Only the Missoula PaddleHeads, descendants of a charter Pioneer League franchise, the Pocatello Cardinals, have been in the league longer.

For much of their history as an affiliated minor league team, the Chukars and their predecessors were many players' first experience with fully professional baseball. As such, a number of notable baseball players saw time in Idaho Falls during their careers. Among the more famous baseball alumni of Idaho Falls teams are Billy Martin, Joe Maddon, Jose Canseco, Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer and Billy Butler. The Chukars are the only professional sports team in Eastern Idaho. More than one million fans have attended Idaho Falls home games since the team moved into Melaleuca Field in 2007.

Roster

Idaho Falls Chukars Rostervte
Active (25-man) RosterCoaching Staff
Pitchers 46 Griffin Bremer 51 Damon Ellis 13 Alex Fishberg 47 Nick Floyd 27 Matt Geoffrion 50 Nate Jenkins 12 Alex Leija 38 Keagan McGinnis 24 Jon Nunnally 48 Victor Rodriguez 35 Daniel Silva 31 Joe Slocum 9 Jake WatersCatchers 33 Hunter Hisky 30 Brady West Infielders 23 Steve Barmakian 20 Andrew Don 7 Tyler Kelly 21 Webb Little 4 Tyler Van Marter 15 Tyler Wyatt Outfielders 29 Hogan Brown 11 Thomas DeBonville 36 Calvin Estrada 17 Matt Feinstein 25 Kona QuiggleManager -- Les Lancaster Coaches -- Bob Milacki (pitching) Disabled list‡ Inactive list>§ Suspended listupdated April 18, 2024

Broadcasting

All exhibition, regular season and postseason games can be heard on KSPZ (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 2023, Ben Pokorny 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:

  • Jose Canseco 1989
  • Jake Peavy, 2007
  • Kansas City Royals Billy Butler, 2011
  • Mike Moustakas, Game 1, 2015 World Series

External links