Pioneer League releases starters for all-star game

Tanner Banks of the Pioneer League’s Great Falls team will get the start on the mound in the Pioneer Baseball League vs. Northwest League All-Star Game on Aug. 4 at Avista Stadium.

The Pioneer League roster was announced on Monday. The Northwest League roster and starters will be announced today. Billings manager Dick Schofield will be in charge of the Pioneer League stars. He led the Mustangs to the 2014 championship in his second season in Billings. Spokane’s Tim Hulett will manage the NWL stars.

Each of the eight PL teams is represented on the 25-man roster, which features nine players formally drafted in the top 10 rounds of the MLB amateur draft. In addition, three players were selected but will not appear because they have been promoted to other levels within their organization. There are also three alternates that are available to play if currents stars become unavailable.

Other starters include outfielders Nick Sell (Ogden), Daniel Suero (Grand Junction) and Kyle Survance (Orem), first baseman Austin Byler (Missoula), second baseman Willie Calhoun (Ogden), shortstop Isan Diaz (Missoula), third baseman Michael Pierson (Orem), catcher Taylor Ward (Orem) and designated hitter Zach Fish (Great Falls).

“We are excited to announce this quality PL All-Star roster of players to compete in the first inaugural All-Star Game against the Northwest League,” said Jim McCurdy, president of the Pioneer Baseball League. 

“We had a great pool of players from which to choose our roster and these have been the best of the best this season.”