Rails West Field Breaks Ground: A New Era for Poky Thunder Baseball and Community Sports

A new era of youth athletics is underway in Pocatello. On May 21, community leaders and supporters gathered to celebrate the official groundbreaking of Rails West Field, a transformative upgrade to the Pocatello Thunder Baseball facilities. This powerful partnership between Rails West Federal Credit Union,Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25, andPoky Thunder Baseball represents a shared investment in youth, community pride, and the future of local sports.

The new Rails West Field is more than just a name. It’s a promise—a commitment to providing young athletes with the facilities, mentorship, and support they deserve.

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A Community Investment 90 Years in the Making

For Rails West Federal Credit Union, the investment carries both deep meaning and strategic significance. As the credit union celebrates its 90th anniversary, CEO Paul “Izzy” Contreras shared the inspiration behind the decision to partner on this project.

“The idea of Idaho’s first credit union teaming up with Pocatello’s first high school just made sense,” said Contreras. This is our home. What better way to give back than by supporting something so near and dear—our youth, our community, and the sport we love!

As a proud Poky alum himself, Contreras sees the project as a full-circle opportunity to give back to the school and community that shaped him.

The project is especially personal for Contreras, who grew up immersed in sports. From collecting baseball cards with his grandfather—who played minor league ball in the U.S. and Mexico—to coaching youth for more than 25 years, Contreras knows firsthand the lifelong impact athletics can have.

“You get to celebrate their success and be a foundational part of their development as young learners,” he said. “This collaboration is something I would have never dreamed I’d be part of as a kid collecting cards. It’s a dream realized.”

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The Heart Behind the Field: Coach Vinnie’s Vision

Central to this project is the vision and leadership of Poky Thunder Baseball’s Coach Vinnie Benavidez, whose mentorship style inspired Rails West to step up.

I believe the number one currency in this world is relationships  “Paul is a leader who doesn’t focus on just results—he focuses on the people who help him get the results. That’s a true leader. Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge. I couldn’t ask for a better person in Paul or company to team with,” said Benavidez.

Contreras, in turn, praised Benavidez for his heart-led leadership.

“Coach Vinnie reminds me of the greats—coaches like Praska, Armstrong, and Bob Vialpando—people who coached me beyond the sport,” he said. “You can’t measure his impact on these kids. It’s infectious, and it gives you that desire to replicate it.”

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Rails West Field: Building More Than a Ballpark

The facility upgrades mark a pivotal step in giving Pocatello’s student athletes a home field that rivals others across the state.

“This field isn’t just for Poky Baseball—it’s for the whole community,” said Contreras. Families have already thanked me, saying their kids will benefit from this. "It gives us the ability to compete with Boise and Idaho Falls, and that matters.”

The new Rails West Field will feature state-of-the-art amenities that offer safety, performance, and pride—raising the bar for what youth sports can look like in Pocatello.

“It’s like playing under Friday night lights,” Contreras added. “It gives young athletes something to look forward to, and to work for.”

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Legacy, Leadership, and a Love for Home

The deeper goal behind this project isn’t just better facilities—it’s the cultivation of a legacy that nurtures excellence in life.

“Sports are the best teacher for young learners,” Contreras explained. “They teach how to win and lose, how to grow as a team, and how to push beyond your limits. This field is the arena where kids can showcase their effort and dedication.”

Rails West’s long-standing commitment to supporting youth programs—baseball, soccer, 4H, rodeo, and more—is part of its broader vision for building community from the ground up.

“You can’t touch every life,” Contreras said, “but if you’re going to try, it’s through our kids. Investing in them is investing in all of us.”

For Contreras, the pride of giving back to Pocatello is rooted in gratitude.

“This is home—and you take pride in your home. Pocatello and Chubbuck have always been behind the curve in facilities like this. It takes vision and action to change that. We called our shot to left field and hit a grand slam.”

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A Message to Learners, Coaches, and the Community

As the groundbreaking ceremony gave way to construction, Contreras left learners and families with a message full of encouragement and purpose.

You deserve this. Enjoy it. Protect it. Use it to become 1% better every day—on the field, in the classroom, and in life. One percent a day leads to impact that lifts those around you.

When asked what wish he holds for the future of Pocatello Thunder Baseball, Contreras shared a motto he’s carried through years of coaching:

“Have fun. Work hard. Give max effort. Be safe.”

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About Rails West Federal Credit Union:
Now in its 90th year, Rails West Federal Credit Union is dedicated to advancing educational and youth development initiatives across southeastern Idaho. Through impactful partnerships like Rails West Field, the credit union continues to uplift the community and invest in the leaders of tomorrow.