Idaho Falls Chukars

The Idaho Falls Chukars are an independent baseball team in the Pioneer League, a league that operates as an MLB Partner League without direct affiliation with Major League Baseball. Based in Idaho Falls, Idaho, the team plays its home games at Melaleuca Field. The Chukars name was chosen through a fan vote after the team’s major league affiliation changed following the 2003 season; a chukar is a game bird native to the area.

The franchise first appeared as the Idaho Falls Spuds in the Utah–Idaho League from 1926 to 1928, then restarted in 1940 as the Russets in the Pioneer League. Except for three seasons when the Pioneer League suspended operations during World War II, the team has played continuously in Idaho Falls under various nicknames and major league affiliations. It has the longest uninterrupted tenure in its current city of any team in the league, though the Missoula PaddleHeads—descendants of a charter franchise, the Pocatello Cardinals—have been in the league longer.

In 2021, as part of a contraction of Minor League Baseball, the Pioneer League—which the Chukars have belonged to since 1940—was converted from an MLB-affiliated Rookie Advanced league into an independent league and designated an MLB Partner League. Idaho Falls remained a member. For much of their history as an affiliated minor league team, the Chukars and their predecessors served as many players’ first taste of professional baseball.

Notable alumni include Billy Martin, Joe Maddon, Jose Canseco, Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer, and Billy Butler. The Chukars are the only professional sports team in Eastern Idaho (the Spud Kings are another professional team in the region). Since moving into Melaleuca Field in 2007, over one million fans have attended home games.

All exhibition, regular season, and postseason games are broadcast on KSPZ (Fox Sports Radio affiliate) 980 AM - 98.7 FM across Eastern Idaho, including Idaho Falls and Pocatello, with the signal also reaching parts of Western Wyoming. John Balginy has been the “Voice of the Chukars” since 1985. For 2023, Ben Pokorny serves as Director of Broadcasting & Media Relations, handling solo play-by-play for road games and sharing the booth with Balginy for home games.

Numerous Idaho Falls alumni have advanced to Major League Baseball. Notable names include Raúl Mondesí (2012), Danny Duffy (2010), Wil Myers (2009, 2013 AL Rookie of the Year), Eric Hosmer (2008, MLB All-Star), Salvador Pérez (2008–09, three-time Gold Glove winner, three-time MLB All-Star, 2015 World Series MVP), Greg Holland (2007, two-time MLB All-Star), Mike Moustakas (2007, MLB All-Star), Billy Butler (2004, MLB All-Star), Carlos Lezcano (2003, manager), José Lobatón (2003), Óliver Pérez (2000), Jake Peavy (1999, three-time MLB All-Star, 2007 NL wins leader, two-time ERA leader, 2007 NL Cy Young Award), Rick Sutcliffe (pitching coach 1996–1997, three-time MLB All-Star, 1984 NL Cy Young Award, 1979 NL Rookie of the Year, ESPN broadcaster), Shawn Camp (1997), Matt Clement (1995, MLB All-Star), Ben Davis (1995), Dave Hilton (1992, manager), Cloyd Boyer (1989, manager), Kevin Brown (1986, six-time MLB All-Star, two-time NL ERA leader), Rod Gilbreath (1986–87, manager), Al Martin (1986), Jim Nettles (1984, manager), Félix José (1984, MLB All-Star), Jose Canseco (1982, six-time MLB All-Star, two-time home run leader, 1986 AL Rookie of the Year, 1988 AL MVP), Dick Schofield (1981), Devon White (1981, seven-time Gold Glove winner, three-time MLB All-Star), Joe Maddon (1981, manager, three-time MLB Manager of the Year, 2016 World Series champion manager), Gary Pettis (1979, five-time Gold Glove winner), Tom Brunansky (1978, MLB All-Star), Mike Witt (1978, two-time MLB All-Star, pitched a perfect game on September 30, 1984), Richard Dotson (1977, MLB All-Star), Keith Comstock (1976), Bobby Clark (1975), Mark Clear (1975, two-time MLB All-Star), Carney Lansford (1975, MLB All-Star, 1981 AL batting champion), Thad Bosley (1974), Julio Cruz (1974), Larry Himes (1974–77, manager), Rance Mulliniks (1974), Dave Collins (1972), Ron Jackson (1971), Dan Briggs (1970–71), Dick Lange (1970), Sid Monge (1970, MLB All-Star), Morris Nettles (1970), Rudy Meoli (1969), Norm Sherry (1969, manager), Lloyd Allen (1968), Doug Griffin (1965), Tom Egan (1964), Marty Perez (1964–65), Frank Fernández (1963), Steve Whitaker (1962–63), Jim Shellenback (1962), Tommy McCraw (1961), Jerry McNertney (1961), Bob Locker (1960), Jim Hicks (1960–61), Peanuts Lowrey (1960, manager, MLB All-Star), Fred Talbot (1960), Donn Clendenon (1959, 1969 World Series MVP), Jim Campbell (1959), Jake Wood (1958), Buck Rodgers (1958, MLB player and manager, 1987 NL Manager of the Year), Bob Johnson (1956), Charlie Metro (1956, manager), Ken Rowe (1955), Pat Mullin (1955, player/manager, two-time MLB All-Star), Bubba Morton (1955), Cuno Barragan (1953, inducted into Mexican American Hall of Fame), John Briggs (1952–53), Billy Martin (1946, MLB All-Star, 1977 World Series champion manager), Bill Wight (1941), Clancy Smyres (1941, whose autograph is considered more valuable than Babe Ruth’s), Elmer Singleton (1941), Doc Marshall (1941), Woody Main (1941), Ed Bahr (1940), and Ed Coleman (1927).