Joe has been the driving force behind acquiring the ballpark and bringing a Northwoods League franchise to Traverse City. As CEO and Managing Member of TC Baseball LLC, Joe was instrumental, along with Whitecaps cofounders Lew Chamberlin and Denny Baxter, in cultivating a group of community minded investors who saw the value this venue and this franchise could bring to Traverse City and the region. In his current role with the West Michigan Whitecaps, Joe will have responsibility for the Traverse City franchise, and with the support of the Whitecaps organization, will provide strategic oversight and direction.

Joe is native to Grand Rapids and currently resides in Cascade with his wife, Dana, and their two boys, Crawford and Becker. Familiar with Traverse City and the surrounding area, Joe and his family spend as much time as possible at their cottage in Omena, Michigan. Active in the community Joe currently serves as a board member for both the Whitecaps Community Foundation and the Lake Michigan Academy.

Email: JoeC@whitecapsbaseball.com

Jacqueline Holm joined the Pit Spitters as the Team’s General Manager, in October of 2022. The 2023 season was her first as the team’s GM, but not her first in baseball. Holm’s impressive track record in baseball began with the Sugar Land Skeeters, an independent Atlantic League team, where she helped gain notoriety through a variety of high-profile promotions and landmark events. At the conclusion of the 2015 season, she moved to Davenport, Iowa, to join the Quad Cities River Bandits, a Minor League Baseball team in the Midwest League, and the High-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. There she held several leadership positions, finishing as the team’s GM for the 2019 season. While with the River Bandits, Holm’s leadership saw the team transform their social media presence, substantially grow season ticket usage and retention, and win a Midwest League Championship — all of which garnered her a nomination for the Rawlings Midwest League Female Executive of the Year award in 2017. Outside of the ballpark, Holm also helped extend the team’s reach into the community through her board work with several nonprofits and community organizations, including serving as President of the Davenport Rotary. Following 2019, Holm has held leadership roles with the Scott County Family YMCA in Davenport, and led national event and tradeshow activities for a cutting-edge agriculture company based in Illinois. Jacqueline is a native of Sugar Land, Texas and don’t hold it against her, but also a Houston Astros fan!

Holm was named Northwoods League Executive of the Year in 2023, in her first season as GM. Under Holm’s leadership, the Pit Spitters set franchise records in overall attendance and nightly average attendance, also hosting the highest attended Great Lakes All-Star Game in Northwoods League history in July. On the field, the Pit Spitters made their fifth playoff appearance in five seasons advancing to the Great Lakes Championship series, touting the league’s highest game attendance through the playoff ascension. The team also experienced growth across the board in the ticketing, sponsorship and merchandise categories and continues to expand its offering of special events throughout the off season.

In her spare time, she performs in a 90’s alternative band, loves riding her bike, and recently discovered a passion for restoring vintage furniture. She has visited 42 of the 50 states and plans on seeing the other 16 MLB parks she hasn’t yet visited. Over the past year, she has been learning more and more about Traverse City, and has now gained the right to call it home!

Walk-Up Song: “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive” by Ruby Friedman

Email: JacquelineH@pitspitters.com

Sam joined the Pit Spitters’ staff as Director of Sales in October of 2019 and is entering his fifth season with the team in 2024. Before joining the Pit Spitters, Sam spent six seasons working in different sales roles in Minor League Baseball with the West Michigan Whitecaps, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Peoria Chiefs and Fort Wayne TinCaps. Sam was born and raised in Beer City USA, Grand Rapids, MI, and is an avid sports fan. He attended Aquinas College where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration and Sport Management while also competing on the varsity baseball team.

When he is not at the ballpark, you can usually find Sam hanging out with his wife, Sarah, and son, Fielder, enjoying a drink at a local brewery, or cheering on his beloved Chicago Cubs and Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Sam is excited to continue to grow as the member of the Traverse City community as he and the rest of the Pit Spitters staff continue to bring affordable, fun, family-friendly entertainment to Northern Michigan! See you at the ballpark!

Walk-Up Song: “Detroit Rock City” by KISS

Email: SamC@pitspitters.com

Just a city boy, born and raised in South Detroit, Ian graduated from Central Michigan University, the Harvard of the Midwest, with a degree in Sport Management and Marketing. The Wyandotte, Michigan native loves Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain, not much into health food but is into champagne.

Spends most of his time with the office dog Lucy, listening to 60’s and 70’s music, watching films with the subtitles on, and enjoying the Northern Michigan outdoors. This is Ian’s 6^th year with the Pit Spitters and he can’t wait to create more fun and exciting experiences for the Northern Michigan community!

Walk-Up Song: “Pick Up the Pieces” by Average White Band

Email: IanW@pitspitters.com

Ben joined the Pit Spitter Staff halfway through the 2022 season. Before joining the team, he played baseball and graduated from Aquinas College with a dual major in Sport Management and Business Administration and a minor in communication. Ben was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan but is a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan. He spent a summer in Chicago on an internship, where he almost had to take out a loan to pay for all the Cubs games he went to.

When Ben is not at the ballpark you will find him on top of a snowy mountain snowboarding, trying to fix his slice out on the golf course, or exploring around Traverse City. Ben is very excited for another baseball season in Traverse City and to continue providing long lasting memories for people here at the ballpark.

Walk-Up Song: “Welcome to the Show” by Cody Johnson

Email: BenG@pitspitters.com

Lauren joined the Pit Spitters as the Social Media Intern in May of 2023 and was hired on full-time after the completion of her internship in September of 2023. She is from South Lyon, Michigan, a small town just North of Ann Arbor. Lauren graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration, with a major in Marketing, FIRE UP CHIPS! She liked to stay very active on campus, holding positions in registered student organizations and Greek life, working on campus jobs, and attending sporting events as often as she could. While attending CMU, Lauren truly found her passion for sports marketing while working for CMU’s Athletics Marketing Department.

When Lauren is not working, she loves traveling, attending concerts and music festivals, going to sporting events, spending time with friends and family, and rewatching New Girl for the 1000th time. She immensely enjoyed her summer with the team in 2023 and cannot wait to continue working full time year-round!

Walk-Up Song: “Everybody Talks” by Neon Trees

Email: LaurenD@pitspitters.com

Originally from Flint, MI, Tuttle graduated from the University of Michigan-Flint in December of 2021 with a Bachelors of Arts in Communication Studies. Ed then worked with the Flint City Bucks FC as an Operations Intern in April of 2019, working closely with the team that season as they won their 4^th National Championship. It was then when Ed really discovered his passion for sports operations. Following his internship season, he was hired as a Game Day Relations Specialist, then promoted to Game Day Operations in 2022. This will be Ed’s first season with the Pit Spitters and is highly anticipating Opening Day at the ballpark!

Ed enjoys music, videogames, cars, animals, and the arts.

Walk-Up Song: “Here Comes the Boom” by P.O.D

Email: EdT@pitspitters.com