MISSOULA, Mont. -- The Missoula Osprey, in conjunction with the Pioneer Baseball League, has announced that Osprey athletic trainer Masamichi "Masa" Abe has been named the Pioneer League Athletic Trainer of the Year.

The award is voted on by the other athletic trainers from all of the teams in the Pioneer League. It is the second straight season, and third time in the last six seasons, that a trainer from the Osprey has been given the award. Atsu Takei earned the honor in 2007, and Scott Barringer earned the honor in 2011.

Abe is in his first season as the Osprey athletic trainer, and his second season with the Diamondbacks. Prior to joining the D-backs, Abe was a graduate assistant trainer at the University of Arkansas. A native of Aiehi, Japan, Abe graduated from the Toyota National of College of Tech High School in Toyota, Japan, and went on to earn his degree in mechanical engineering in 2001. Abe came to the United States and attended Northern Colorado where he earned his undergraduate degree in athletic training in 2007. Abe worked as a Minor League assistant athletic trainer/strength and conditioning coach for one season with the Class A Short-Season Vancouver Canadians.

Tickets for Osprey games are available at the MSO Hub Box Office, located at 140 North Higgins in Downtown Missoula, online by phone (406) 543-3300 and at MissoulaOsprey.com online.