Jacqueline Holm, the general manager for the Traverse City Pit Spitters, has been honored with the title of “Executive Director of the Year” for the 2023 season, courtesy of the Northwoods League. The news was announced at a fall league meeting held recently in Willmar, Minnesota.

The Northwoods League spans 25 teams, most of which hail from the upper midwestern United States. As currently configured, the league includes organizations in Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana, as well as one in Ontario, Canada. Holm beat out organizational leaders from all other Northwoods teams to win the Executive Director of the Year honors.

Notably, Holm earns the honor in her first time at bat: The new general manager came aboard with the Pit Spitters last October, succeeding Mickey Graham in the role after his five seasons with the organization. The 2023 baseball season marked Holm’s first one in charge of the Pit Spitters, and the organization promptly set franchise records for overall season attendance and average nightly attendance, among other gains in ticketing, sponsorship, merchandise sales, and more. In terms of team performance, the Pit Spitters made their fifth straight appearance in the Northwoods playoffs, out of five seasons in the league.

In a press release announcing the news, Holm said she was “deeply honored” by the Executive of the Year recognition, before adding that she doesn’t “view this as an individual award.”

“This recognition reflects the combined dedication, passion, and teamwork that define our organization, our staff, and our incredible fanbase,” Holm said. “From the front office to the dugout, so many talented people played a crucial role in our success this season. Just like in baseball, where every player contributes to a winning season, this award belongs to our entire team.”