OFFICIAL WNP 2023 Souvenir Program

WESTERN

proud supporters of your

message from the owners

Chuck & Mayra Heeman Owners & Operators

Well, it's certainly been an interesting ride these past four seasons! From a first-year championship to a second-year near-miss, to a devastating COVID-affected year, to a return to the playoffs in year four - never a dull moment here at the Pioneers!

So many people helped build the Pioneers and we are beyond thankful for all of you!

First and foremost, we want to express our love and appreciation to our community as a whole. We took a leap of faith in the summer of 2017 and came to a place we'd never even heard of just weeks before our move. Since that day five years ago, we have felt so at home, so welcomed and so supported - that comes from you, the people of Western Nebraska and Eastern Wyoming.

Second, we are so appreciative of so many people, too many to name here. From our own family, who looked at us kind of funny when we said "Gering, Nebraska" but supported us all along, to the great people we've met along this journey. Our host families, corporate partners who believed (and still believe) in us, to the great fans, players, game day and full time staff, coaches, and more - so many people helped build the Pioneers and we are beyond thankful for all of you.

With that, we head full steam into (can you believe) year five! As with every year, a great adventure awaits us all, both on the field and off A new group of players, interns, new host families, and an evergrowing base of loyal Pioneers fans will descend on Gering this summer, and we can't wait to meet you all

Every day has not been a picnic - any small, family business has its struggles - but we thank you, the people of Pios Nation, for making our journey a great one. Now, on to Year Five!

First and foremost, we want to express our love and appreciation to our community as a whole.

Meet the

Owners

Chuck Heeman, Pioneers Owner

After working for more than 25 years in professional sports, Chuck Heeman, along with his wife Mayra, founded the Pioneers in August 2017, leading up to our inaugural 2018 Championship season

Chuck has served as General Manager for four professional baseball teams as well serving as the founding General Manager with two Oregonbased summer collegiate baseball teams, the Klamath Falls Gems and Medford Rogues. Chuck also served four years as Operations Manager with the Arizona Diamondbacks His sports experience also includes three years with the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds at their Goodyear, Arizona Spring Training complex immediately prior to purchasing the Pioneers franchise.

Chuck, age 63 and getting too old for all this nonsense, is also a disabled veteran of the U. S. Air Force, a 13-year former U.S. Postal Service worker and a graduate of Arizona State University. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Chuck grew up in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio He is married to Mayra Heeman The couple has four children and six grandchildren and resides in Gering, Nebraska.

Mayra Heeman, Pioneers Owner

Mayra, the retired mother of four and grandmother of six, volunteers her spare time to help the Pioneers in a number of ways She recruits and works with host families and helps with business operations. Following a heart attack, quintuple bypass and stroke in the fall of 2018, Mayra has cut back on her baseball duties and is restricted by management from doing too much Fans and friends are encouraged to tell Mayra to slow down!

Due to past let's say "incidents" Mayra is not allowed to sit and watch games in which she is not working (she gets a little intensesome stories there if you'd like to hear). However, Mayra is always ready with a smile and a hug at Pios games and loves to spend time with the fans

Mayra served for five years as a volunteer with the Klamath Falls Gems and Medford Rogues (both in Oregon) where her husband served as General Manager. Prior to retirement and getting sucked into the baseball world, Mayra worked in the legal field as a litigating paralegal for law firms in California and Arizona.

A native of Mexico, Mayra came to the United States at age nine and grew up in Southern California Mayra and Chuck Heeman were married in 2008 and moved to Gering in August 2017. The couple resides in Gering, Nebraska, where they purchased a home in April 2021.

ASSISTANTGENERALMANGER Connie Ernest

A native of Bridgeport, Nebraska, Connie Ernest joined the staff of the Pioneers in April 2021.

Connie is mother of two children, stepmother of six and grandmother to 11 She began her career with Cabela’s in Sidney, working her way up from telemarketing to marketing manager in a 29-year career.

Moving to the area in 2014, she began a five-year career as Marketing Director at the Scottsbluff StarHerald Newspaper

Now semi-retired, Connie is ecstatic to bring her years of experience to the Western Nebraska Pioneers where she will serve as Group Coordinator. Connie will be the Pioneers’ “go-to” contact for party decks, company and birthday parties, and all things groups! Connie is married to Dennis Ernest and resides in Gering

Connie has earned numerous "Employee of the Month" awards during her time with the Pioneers

EventCoordinator Chera Gabis

Chera Gabis, originally from Potter, Nebraska, is excited to join the Western Nebraska Pioneers staff for this season Chera moved to Gering five years ago with her husband Chris Chera has spent the last three-and-a half years working at the Star-Herald.

Previously, she spent 12 years working for Cabela’s in various roles, most notably as an Internal Auditor.

Chera was a baseball fan before she met her husband, but because of him, she was forced into life as a Cincinnati Reds fan.

Chris and Chera spend many nights and weekends following their favorite baseball teams, including the Pioneers, since their inaugural season She also enjoys the outdoors, volunteering, and spending time with family

Nelson is in his second stint as an assistant baseball coach at Lakeland University in Plymouth, Wisconsin. After starting his coaching career at Lakeland from 2016-2018, Nelson has coached collegiately at Bryant & Stratton College (WI), UW-Platteville, and has now returned to Lakeland University. During his time at Platteville, Nelson helped coach the programs first ever All-American in Jonny Kelso Kelso was also named the WIAC Position Player of the Year as well as the Region Player of the Year. He developed an offense that went from hitting 254/ 352/ 368 and 19 HR in 41 games and improved to hitting .310/.386/.440 with 30 HR in 35 games the following year.

Aside from collegiate coaching, Nelson served as the Head Assistant Coach for the professional Tucson Saguaros in the Pecos League of Professional Baseball during the summer of 2018. During the summers from 2019-2021 Nelson was the head coach of the High Point Hushpuppies in the summer collegiate Old North State League, located in High Point, NC In his three seasons as the head coach of the Hushpuppies, Nelson led his teams to an overall record of (66-21), including league champions in 2020. Aside from collegiate coaching, Nelson served as the Head Assistant Coach for the professional Tucson Saguaros in the Pecos League of Professional Baseball during the summer of 2018. During the summers from 2019-2021 Nelson was the head coach of the High Point Hushpuppies in the summer collegiate Old North State League, located in High Point, NC In his three seasons as the head coach of the Hushpuppies, Nelson led his teams to an overall record of (66-21), including league champions in 2020.

During his time in the ONSL, Nelson left as the winningest coach in league history and coached the league’s first ever MLB draft pick in Brendan Collins (17th Round, Washington Nationals 2021 MLB Draft). Nelson also coached the league’s Pitcher of the Year in all three seasons Before beginning his coaching duties, Nelson played independent minor league baseball for the Garden City Wind in the Pecos League. In his two seasons with the Wind, Nelson hit a combined .250 and helped the Wind earn their first division title in franchise history during the 2016 season Nelson resides in Sheboygan, Wisconsin with his wife, Michelle, and their two children, Kinsley and Baker.

T Y S O N E L L I S , A S S I S T A N T C O A C H

Tyson Ellis is in his first season at Rockingham Community College where he will be assisting Head Coach Daniel Huff and handling the pitching staff

Ellis, native of Lake City, FL, joined the RCC staff following a World Series run as a Volunteer Assistant Coach at the Florida State College of Jacksonville that ended with FSCJ finishing 3rd in the 2022 DII JUCO World Series. During his playing career, Ellis made brief stops at the University of South Carolina Upstate and Gulf Coast State College before landing at Pensacola State College for the 2019 season. There, he prided a 4-2 record with 6 saves, adding 57 strikeouts over 49 and 1/3 innings pitched which later earned him 2nd Team All-Panhandle Conference

From Pensacola, Ellis made his way to Troy University in Troy, AL. In his first season at Troy he earned a role in the weekend rotation until COVID-19 abruptly ended the 2020 season. He was able to accrue 13 appearances, a 9 7 K/9, and a 235 BAA over the course of one and a half seasons before recurring injuries ended his playing career Ellis holds a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Troy University Tyson Ellis is in his first season at Rockingham Community College where he will be assisting Head Coach Daniel Huff and handling the pitching staff

T Y D U D L E Y , A S S I S T A N T C O A C H

Ty Dudley, From Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio This will be his first season with the Pioneers Ty started his baseball journey at Garfield High School, where he was a 4-year letter winner After High School, Ty went on to play one season at Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio

Ty started his coaching career right after playing Ty Served as the JV Head Coach at Brush High School. After Brush Ty moved to Coventry and Cuyahoga Falls High Schools to serve as a Varsity assistant. Ty is Currently the Head JV coach at Waterloo High School. Ty also coached summer baseball for the Ohio Pitbulls. During the day Ty is a dedicated Teacher for Akron Public Schools.

Tyson pitched summer ball for Mayra and Chuck Heeman's Casper Horseheads team in the summer of 2019.

T Y S O N E L L I S , A S S I S T A N T C O A C H

Chris Gabis, a Sidney, Nebraska native, joined the coaching staff for the 2022 Championship Season and is now locked in until we aren't Champs anymore. Chris and his wife Chera moved to Gering 5 years ago when Chris was hired by the Scottsbluff Fire Department A firefighter for a total of 11 years, Chris started his time in the Fire Service with the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department in 2011 Chasing his dream of a career as a Firefighter/EMT led Chris to the City of Scottsbluff in 2017. Chris now serves as the Engineer for B Shift, coordinator for the Scottsbluff Fire Department Hazmat Team, and the President of the Scottsbluff Professional Firefighters Local 1454.

Chris grew up loving baseball A lifelong Cincinnati Reds fan, Chris grew up idolizing players like Barry Larkin, Ken Griffey Jr., and Joey Votto. Chris and his wife always attend the Reds/Rockies series in Denver and have been Pioneers fan since their inaugural season He spent his younger years playing baseball in the Sidney baseball program, eventually helping lead the organization from 2013-2016 before moving to Gering Though he never had the opportunity to play baseball at a higher level, Chris loves teaching and supporting the game of baseball We left this picture in place on purpose

THE ROAD TO GERING

The Pioneers are joined this summer by a group of interns, like most summer college baseball teams in America, they rely heavily on college students when it comes to the players and the support staff. These opportunities are unique in their own ways. The Pioneer family and the town of Gering is welcoming 9 interns to join them this summer. This opportunity provides these interns with experience, which they can use to forward their careers in sports

These are the new faces you’ll see in Gering and at Oregon Trail Park…

Maddie Smith, Social Media

Maddie comes to Gering, as a recent graduate of the University of North Texas where she graduated with a degree in photojournalism. She is a native of Wylie, Texas a suburb of Dallas, and she will be part of the social media team this summer. On why she chose the Pioneers Maddie said, “I like how the organization is a small, family-centric operation I feel that smaller businesses afford their employees the chance to flourish in a way bigger businesses don’t give you the chance to.” She notes that she “wants to be able to see the impact of my direct actions and decisions so I can learn and grow from the results ” While Maddie is of course excited for the games and special nights the Pioneers have planned, she’s equally excited to meet new people and hear their stories, “with interns and players coming from all different parts of the nation, I’m excited to see the differences in culture and getting to know each other.” Since her graduation in December of 2022, Maddie has been searching for her “big break” into the sports industry, she believes that this summer with the Pioneers will help, with a goal to be a part of a professional team or major organization’s media department.

Josh Kramer, Social Media Intern

Josh will be joining the Pioneers, as a sophomore from Western Carolina University, where he is currently studying sport management. Josh is a native of Greensboro, North Carolina, and is the other half of Pioneer’s social media team this summer. On his decision to join the Pioneers this summer Josh said “throughout the interview process, I felt I could grow and improve my skills while working in a friendly environment. Chuck and Mayra have made nothing but good impressions on me. ” Josh is looking forward to the experience he will get this summer, working for a summer league college team, and in a professional environment.

After his graduation from Western Carolina, his goal is to work for a professional sports team doing social media, as a die-hard Boston sports fan, he would love to work for one of the teams cherished growing up.

Carson Trail, Play-by-Play Announcer

Carson comes to the Pioneers, by way of Stanford University, where he is currently enrolled as a sophomore majoring in economics. The Mountain View, California native will be the voice of the Pioneers this summer. On why he chose the Pioneers, Carson said “I was looking for an immersive summer broadcasting experience with a rigorous schedule, a passionate fan base, and a tightly knit ownership group The Pioneers were the team that I can safely say fits all three I was struck by Chuck and Mayra’s passion and professionalism and the fact that they’re able to sell out [Oregon Trail] on any given night and maintain strong relationships with their players, staff, and community. That’s tough to beat.”

Carson currently broadcasts for KZSU 90.1FM, the Stanford University FM Radio Station. This summer he is looking forward to throwing himself into broadcasting really for the first time and looking to gain experience and contribute day-to-day. “I’m also looking forward to being a part of the game experience for fans and listeners alike, a privilege I don’t take lightly”. Following his graduation, Carson is hoping to jump straight into the minor leagues, or apply to journalism school, he has a goal of having a family and one day broadcasting Major League Baseball Fun fact, Carson is a self-proclaimed half-decent singer and a big music fanatic! He can “latch on to basically any genre ” , he says, but he finds himself delving deepest into R&B, Hip Hop, Classical, and Jazz

You can catch Carson during the season broadcasting Pioneers games on KNEB 100.3FM and 960AM!

Colleen Jones, Baseball Operations

Colleen comes to the Pioneers, after completing her junior year at Berry College, in Rome, Georgia Colleen is a Sprott, Alabama native majoring in sports administration with a minor in business. She will be the lone baseball operations intern for the Pioneers this summer. On why the Pioneers, Colleen had this to say, “from the moment I interviewed I knew that the Pioneers were the team I wanted to work for.

The small-town community is something I am very familiar with and that is exactly what Gering is. The summer hasn’t even begun yet, and Chuck and Mayra are already letting me in on the action, so I can get a feel for the team and the position.”

Colleen is most excited about exploring a different part of the country, and she is really looking forward to when the Pioneers host the Australian Select Colts (June 20th & 21st) Following her graduation, Colleen doesn’t have an exact plan, but she knows that she wants to work in college or professional baseball, or professional football. Colleen is a big, iced coffee fan and she is a southern girl at heart as well as a die-hard Auburn fan, she looks forward to bringing her southern charm, to Gering.

Jon Raymer, Stadium Operations

Jon joins the Pioneers as the closest intern to Gering. The Superior, Colorado native is a senior at the Metropolitan State University of Denver, where he is set to graduate this spring with a major in sport management, and a minor in sports media. He will be the stadium operations intern this summer, and he will be tasked with keeping the beer cold, and the hot dogs coming. As the closest intern to Gering, he said that was one of the main reasons he accepted the job, but also adds “ my role as stadium operations correlates with my previous job as a building manager at Gold Crown Foundation. I’ve heard that the city of Gering is full of great people and is a perfect place to spend the summer! Not only do I love baseball, but I also love traveling and experiencing new cultures ” When he looks forward to the summer, Jon is excited about the games and events the Pioneers will be hosting, but on top of that, exploring the culture of Scottsbluff, and Gering, and meeting new people. Following his graduation this spring and his internship with the Pioneers, he’s “not too sure what my plan is, my goal is to continue to work in the sports industry. Marketing, analytics, and operations intrigues ” J d f d l k f d

Will Pereira, Marketing & Promotions/Field Maintenance

Will joins the Pioneers this summer, after finishing up the first semester of his senior year at Arizona State University, where he is majoring in Sports Business, Will is set to graduate in December of 2023. The Burlingame, California native will be joining the staff as a marketing and promotions, as well as field maintenance intern. On what attracted him to the Pioneers, Will had this to say, “I like Chuck, and it seems like he creates a good culture. I also wanted to move to a place that I’ve never been to, something totally different.”

As he looks towards the summer, Will is looking forward to getting to meet and interact with the fans, he is looking forward to meeting lots of new and interesting people in the town of Gering Following his graduation, Will has a dream, of one day being a general manager for a Major League Baseball team, “it will take a lot, but I want to try”. Will is a huge San Francisco Giants fan and loves to talk about baseball, he can’t wait to get started.

160085 Hwy 71

Proud supporters of the

Morgan Johnson, Marketing and Promotions

Morgan makes her way to Nebraska, following her graduation this spring from Northwest Missouri State University, in Maryville, Missouri The Kansas City, Missouri native will be graduating with a degree in sport management. On what made her choose the Pioneers, Morgan had this to say “I really enjoyed talking to Chuck about his passion for baseball and the team I grew up playing softball, but I have really enjoyed baseball since I was young. Another major factor in my decision, was the creativity and input the interns were given especially the marketing and promotions team ”

Looking towards the summer, Morgan says “the thing I am looking forward to most is being able to step outside of my comfort zone and live the furthest away from my family that I ever have. I am also looking forward to all the games, and the contests that the marketing and promotions team will come up with and be running this summer. ”

Following her graduation this spring, and her time with the Pioneers this summer, Morgan has plans to move back to Kansas City and find a full-time job, with her dream being to work in the marketing department of a professional sports team Morgan is a huge Kansas City Chiefs fan and can talk about football and the Chiefs to anyone.

Joel will be joining the Pioneers staff this summer as a marketing and promotions intern.

The Tampa, Florida native is currently a senior at the University of Florida and will have obtained his degree in sport management by the time the summer rolls around On why the Pioneers, Joel said “I saw this as a good opportunity to gain experience in the sports industry. The internship will allow me to do a little bit of everything which is both helpful in building a resume and gaining skills that will come in handy. More than that, working with someone who has experience in a Major League Baseball setting is invaluable, all in all, it seems like a well-run organization, that cares about its staff and has a great internship program. ”

When it comes to the summer Joel, who is currently an intern with the Pittsburg Riverhounds, a USL soccer team based in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania notes that “with the way the schedule worked out I only ended up getting to work one game day with the Riverhounds, so I am looking forward to being in a position to where I can do that more often along with everything else that comes with working for a team.” The Florida native will also be looking forward to trading in the palm trees, for the great Midwest and the state of Nebraska and those surrounding it. As for his post-Pioneer plans, he is uncertain but says he will be attending graduate school in the fall to study marketing. Joel has found interest in growing the game of baseball and is interested in what the MLB is doing in Europe, “maybe there is a career there.” Joel is excited to be joining the Pioneers, he is extremely thankful for this chance and hopes the season is a good one.

Joel Enns, Marketing and Promotions

Matthew Dennis, Marketing and Promotions

Matthew comes to Gering, by way of Troy University in Troy, Alabama. The Charlotte, North Carolina native is a rising junior studying exercise science, with a minor in sport management, he will be a marketing and promotions intern for the Pioneers this summer On what attracted him to the Pioneers, Matthew said, “I was just finishing up my other internship at Ripken Baseball’s Pigeon Forge experience, when I came across the posting, Chuck and Mayra and all others associated were just great people to speak with during interviews, and the one thing that Chuck said that stuck was “If you guys are doing it, then you can sure bet that I’ll be doing it too”, and that just sealed the deal. The creativity we ’ re being given, and just in general, getting to travel to places you ’ ve never been, while I’m young, but also be around something I love in baseball is something you can’t turn down.”

As he looks towards the summer, Matthew finds himself looking forward to, “The opportunities; whether it when we host the Australian Colts, or the Military game, or even just living in the state of Nebraska or getting to know people in the town or explore the state, it’s all different than normal to me, it beats the college athletic department, the youth experiences; its different. It’s summer baseball, practically run by college kids, in the players and staff. It’s going to be something and the staff I am going to be working with, they’re all great, I cannot wait!”

Following his graduation in 2025, Matthew is looking to attend graduate school, and eventually end up in the Pacific Northwest, with a goal of working in the Seattle Mariners organization, or at the University of Washington as an Athletic Trainer. Matthew is excited about the new culture he will get to experience this summer and getting to know everyone!

Get your tickets here, you won’t want to miss a single pitch at Oregon Trail this summer! Check out the new faces you’ll see around Gering this summer here! Get to know the new head coach and check out his interview here!

PIONEERS BASEBALL TICKET PRICES

Reserved

Gen. Admission

Lawn Seating

PER GAME

GEN ADMISSION ........ $10 ADULT, $8 CHILD 4-12

LAWN $5 ADULT & CHILD

PER PACKAGE

GRANDSTAND 10-TICKET FLEX BOOKS ...... $90

BLEACHER 10-TICKET FLEX BOOKS ............. $70

GRANDSTAND SEASON TICKETS ................ $299

BLEACHER SEASON TICKETS ......................... $279

KIDS 3 AND UNDER ARE ALWAYS ADMITTED FREE!

GROUPS

20 OR MORE, $2 OFF EACH TICKET IN ALL AREAS, CALL 633-BALL TO BOOK YOUR GROUP, BIRTHDAY PARTY OR PARTY DECK NIGHT!

$5 LAWN SEATING FOR ALL GAMES

PIONEERS

PIOS RECORDS, CURRENT THROUGH 2022 SEASON

HITTING

HR – 18, JACK PAULEY, 2018

RBI – 65, COLIN LUDWIG, 2018

AVG. – MIN 30 GAMES - .369, LUTHER WOULLARD, 2018

SB – 26, LUTHER WOULLARD, 2018

PITCHING

WINS – 9, LOGAN GILBERTSON, 2018

SAVES – 10, JEFF HAKANSON, 2018

STRIKEOUTS – 70, CADEN EDWARDS, 2021

ERA – MIN. 20 INNINGS – 0.39, JEFF HAKANSON, 2018

PRESENTED BY DAIRY QUEEN

Birthday announcment on the public address system

Ceremonial first pitch prior to your game

EXCLUSIVE menu inc. hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, drinks, DQ ice cream cake and game ticket (children only

Pioneers mascot will deliver your DQ birthday cake to your party

Birthday child stands with team on field for National Anthem

Bleacher game tickets for children

$22 per person (min. 10 children)

$5 additional adult (bleacher tickets)

Autographed baseball & picture w/a Pioneers player (player will visit your party)

saturday, july 1