Commissioner Jim McCurdy Honored at PBL Winter Meetings

At their Winter Meetings last week in San Diego, CA, the Pioneer Baseball League presented by TicketSmarter announced their 2022 awards for Executive of the Year and the McCurdy Cup for organizational excellence. The McCurdy Cup is named in honor of the league's retiring commissioner, Jim McCurdy, who was honored at the PBL Board meeting for his many years of service to the league and the game of baseball. 

"Jim McCurdy is one of the great legends of minor league baseball," said PBL President Mike Shapiro. "I've been honored to work with him, to get the benefit of his wisdom and good counsel, and to call him a friend.  His legacy to the Pioneer League and the game of baseball is inestimable." 

McCurdy had previously served as the PBL's President from 1984 to 2021, owned clubs in the PBL and the Northwest League, represented minor league baseball on the Professional Baseball Executive Council, and is a distinguished legal scholar and professor of Sports Law. His casebook has been adapted for use in Sports Management Programs and he is working on the 10th law school edition as well as remaining active in various ventures.

Mike Van Hise, General Manager of the Boise Hawks, was named the PBL Executive of the Year. Under Van Hise's leadership, the Hawks dramatically increased their attendance in 2022, promoted multiple charitable causes supporting local non-profits and sports leagues, and was feted for his extraordinary promotions through innovative concessions and fan experience efforts. Van Hise was also recognized at the local level with the Hawks receiving the 2022 Boise Metro Chamber Small Business Excellence Award for Travel and Leisure.

The Billings Mustangs and their owner Dave Heller were awarded the McCurdy Cup, given to the overall best organization in the PBL. The Mustangs were among the league leaders in attendance and reached the PBL Divisional Series under the leadership of former MLB manager Jim Riggleman. The Mustangs were among the league's top revenue-generating clubs and distinguished themselves locally as generous donors to many charitable causes, including building Billings new Challenger Baseball field – "Landon's Legacy".

"Billings has consistently promoted the value and reputation of the PBL, and this year, with the hiring of Jim Riggleman, the league received widespread attention and positive publicity," said Shapiro.  "They've done a great job with their ballpark, Dehler Park, which is consistently recognized as one of the best in all of minor league baseball."

It was also announced that award-winning film producer and director Mike Tollin joined the board as the Managing Partner of Professional Sports of Future Legends, LLC. Future Legends now owns the Grand Junction Jackalopes in addition to the Northern Colorado Owlz. Prior to joining Future Legends, Tollin was executive producer of The Last Dance and The Captain, among many other films. He is a three-time Emmy Award winner and two-time Peabody Award winner and has had one film nominated for an Oscar. A native of Philadelphia, Tollin is also a member of the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.