New GF-based baseball team will be called Red River Pilots

The Expedition League’s new Grand Forks-based team, which begins play in May, has revealed its name and logo.

The team will be called the Red River Pilots.

The logo depicts a steamboat captain at the helm.

According to a release, the name honors the area’s connection to steamboats and aviation.

Official team colors are Navy Blue, Light Royal Blue, Golden Yellow, Tussock Brown, Black and White.

The Pilots’ head coach is Matt Holem, who has coached in various leagues including the Ohio Valley League, Northwoods League and Corn Belt League.

The Expedition League season opens May 24^th.

= =

Expedition League release:

The Expedition League’s Grand Forks, North Dakota affiliate, which will begin play in May of 2022, has announced the team’s name and unveiled the official logo. The team name is the Red River Pilots and the logo, designed by Eller Bonifacio of Eller Bonifacio Designs in Grand Forks, has been released. Navy Blue, Light Royal Blue, Golden Yellow, Tussock Brown, Black and White are the official team colors.

The steamboat was a major contributor to the Grand Forks region in the late 1800s and into the first decade of the 20th century. The overseer of a steamboat was called a pilot, and among the most famous steamboat pilots around Grand Forks was Alexander Griggs, who is considered the “Father of Grand Forks”. The team name not only ties in with steamboats, but it also honors the University of North Dakota’s (UND) John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. UND’s flight training programs are nationally recognized and an important aspect of UND, the community and Grand Forks International Airport. The team name also fits well with the local Grand Forks Air Force Base, which makes a significant contribution to the Grand Forks community.

“We received a lot of incredible team name suggestions from our great fans”, said Expedition League President Steve Wagner, “and Red River Pilots really resonated with the fans and local businesses. Thank you for all of your input into this process… this is your team! The logo designed by Eller is amazing and it will be really fun to see fans wear hats, shirts and apparel with this distinct and cool logo. We’re excited to embark on our 2021 inaugural season and we look forward to being a part of this wonderful community for decades and decades.”

RED RIVER PILOTS HEAD COACH

The Pilots’ Head Coach is Matt Holem. Matt has a tremendous amount of summer collegiate coaching experience having coached in the Ohio Valley League, Northwoods League, Corn Belt League, Jayhawk League and the MINK League. Matt has also coached in professional baseball.

“We are excited to have Matt join the Red River Pilots for our inaugural season”, stated Expedition League VP of Operations Mitch Messer. “Matt brings a wealth of experience in collegiate summer baseball as well as professional baseball. We are confident that Grand Forks will see Matt’s heart for serving players and the community.”
“I am really excited and blessed to have the opportunity to lead the Pilots this summer”, said Holem. “We are putting together a great group of young men who are also looking forward to a fantastic summer competing in front of our fans and becoming a part of the Grand Forks community.”

2022 SEASON

Opening Day of the Expedition League’s 2022 season is May 24th. The Expedition League, entering its fifth season, is an elite summer collegiate wood bat baseball league. For more information about the Expedition League, please visit www.expeditionleague.com.