Osprey Announce 2013 Promotions
As the Missoula Osprey gear up for their 15th season of action in the Garden City, the club announced their 2013 Promotional Calendar that includes many customary staples that fans have come to know and love, including two low-level Fireworks Extravaganzas a pair of bobblehead giveaway nights, plus a celebration of hitting the one-million mark in franchise attendance and other fun and affordable opportunities to see Osprey baseball.
Individual game tickets will go on sale Saturday, May 18 at 9 a.m. at the MSO Hub Box Office, online at MissoulaOsprey.com and by calling 543-3300.
The first Fireworks Extravaganza is slated for the opening weekend on Friday, June 21, and the annual Independence Day fireworks show will be Wednesday, July 3.
"We are pleased to deliver our low-level fireworks show to our fans once again this year," said Osprey Vice President/General Manager Jeff Griffin. "They are always one of our most popular nights at the ballpark."
Fresh off a franchise attendance record and Pioneer League Championship in 2012, the Osprey should break the one-million mark in franchise attendance early in the season (projected between home games three and five).
"It's not every day that we get to celebrate something as remarkable as welcoming the one millionth fan to experience Osprey baseball," said Griffin. "The event is still in the planning phases, but it will definitely be a night you won't want to miss. We will take one million in stride and start working toward welcoming the next million fans."
The 2013 season marks the 75th year of the Pioneer League and the Osprey will be turning back the clock with a couple of their giveaways to celebrate professional baseball in Missoula from the late 1950s. First, the first 750 fans through the gates on Saturday, July 13, will receive a Missoula Timberjacks T-shirt and the first 750 people through the gates on Friday, July 26, will receive a Timberjacks cap.
The Osprey eliminated the Billings Mustangs from playoff contention on the last day of the regular season in 2012 and will push their rivalry to the next level on Saturday, August 3, with Beat Billings Night, where the first 750 fans through the gates will receive a Beat Billings T-shirt, modeled after the Arizona Diamondbacks' Beat LA night.
There will be two bobbleheads once again this year. The first will be on Friday, July 12, when the tradition of fire prevention education continues with a Volunteer Fireman Bobblehead giveaway to the first 750 fans through the gates. The bobblehead will be an accurate depiction of a volunteer firefighter in the Missoula-area right down to its gear.
A bobblehead of Osprey alum and Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star catcher Miguel Montero will go to the first 750 fans through the gates on Friday, August 2. Montero, a fan favorite both in Western Montana and in the desert, caught for the Osprey in 2002 and 2003.
"Miggy is one of our fans all-time favorite Osprey," said Griffin. "He is not only one of the top offensive and defensive catchers in all of professional baseball, but a quality individual that we are proud to have as an alum."
The home opener for the Osprey is Thursday, June 20, and the first 2,000 fans will receive a 2013 Osprey magnetic schedule. The opening series against the Helena Brewers will be culminated by the previously mentioned Fireworks Extravaganza on Friday, June 21.
The third annual Osprey Brewfest is slated for Saturday, August 17, and is guaranteed to be a hit. Fans ages 21-and-over will be able to sample many local brews, all made in the Treasure State, as well as be able to watch both teams take batting practice and prepare for that night's action.
"This is a once-a-season opportunity for fans that are not attending a company picnic to use the party area at the ballpark and watch the game from that unique vantage point," said Griffin.
A finalist for national promotional awards in 2012, Float to the Ballpark returns on Sunday, August 4. Fans will be able to pre-purchase a package that will include them parking at Ogren Park Allegiance Field, being bussed east and dropped in the Clark Fork River, where they will float back to the stadium, get out and partake in a pre-game barbeque and then cheer on the Osprey to victory against the Billings Mustangs.
In addition to July 26 being Timberjacks Cap Night, it is also Photo Night, where fans can go on the field prior to the game and get their picture taken with their favorite Osprey courtesy of Mike Williams Photography.
Drawstring backpacks will be given to the first 750 fans through the gates on August 6.
Returning to the special jersey lineup will be the Ronald McDonald House Jersey Night on Thursday, July 11. The jerseys will be auctioned off to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Missoula.
"We are proud to use the popularity of professional baseball to improve the quality of life in our community," mentioned Griffin.
Kid's Day is still Sunday as is Social Media Sunday, Family Night Monday, Bike to the Ballpark Tuesday and Senior Wednesday (excluding July 3), but there are a few changes to the weekly promotional schedule.
Wednesday at the ballpark will also be BioLife Plasma Services Buck Night, where fans can go to BioLife Plasma Services prior to the game to pick up a voucher good for a $1 general admission ticket to any of the Wednesday regular season home games (excluding July 3).
Fans will have the opportunity to win $50,000 on Thursdays. If an Osprey player hits for the cycle during the game and the fan selects that player, they will have the chance to go home $50,000 richer.
Friday is We Win, You Win Night and functions as it sounds. All fans have to do is cheer loud for the Osprey throughout the night and stay for the entire game and if the Osprey win the game, they will receive a voucher good for a complimentary general admission ticket good Sunday-Wednesday (Excludes July 3).
"We want to make Osprey baseball one of the most economical entertainment options in Missoula," added Griffin.
The ever popular Game Show Night moves to Saturday, where Launch-A-Ball is already a staple.
The Osprey will take the field at home Monday-Saturday at 7:05 and Sunday at 5:05 with the following exceptions. June 21 and July 3 - the two fireworks extravaganzas will start at 6:35. The game on Labor Day, September 2 will start at 5:05 while the game time for Saturday August 31 is to be announced.
Gate times are 6:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 4:30 p.m. on Sunday with a few known exceptions at this time. They are, Opening Night June 20 - 6 p.m., 5:30 on June 21 and July 3 - the fireworks extravaganzas and 4:30 on Labor Day, September 2.
Group, season and other packaged tickets are on sale now.
All gate times, game times and promotions are subject to change without notice and the fireworks shows are subject to weather conditions.
For an entire promotional list click here. An explanation of the weekly promotions can be found below.
MISSOULA OSPREY
2013 Weekly Promotions
MONDAY - FAMILY NIGHT sponsored by Maximized Living & Cherry Creek Radio
Four general admission tickets, hot dogs, chips, sodas, & one super scorecard for $30 with the donation of non-perishable food items. All food collected benefits the Poverello Center.
TUESDAY - BIKE TO THE BALLPARK sponsored by Missoula in Motion & Trail 103.3
2- for-1 tickets for anyone who bikes to the game.
WEDNESDAY - SENIOR WEDNESDAY sponsored by Fire Ready Montana & KGVO
Seniors ages 55+ receive 2-for-1 tickets with identification and can walk the bases after the game. (Excludes July 3)
BioLife Plasma Services Buck Night
Fans can go to BioLife Plasma Services to pick up a voucher good for a $1 general admission ticket to any of the Wednesday regular season home games. (Excludes July 3)
THURSDAY - $50K THURSDAY sponsored by Kettlehouse Brewing
Each and every Thursday home game, Osprey fans will have the chance to leave the stadium $50,000 richer. That's right, if an Osprey player hits for the cycle during the game and you guess the correct player, you will have a chance to win $50,000.
FRIDAY - We Win, You Win Night
All you have to do is cheer loud for your Osprey throughout the night and stay for the entire game and if the Osprey win the game, you will receive a voucher good for a complimentary general admission ticket good Sunday-Wednesday (Excludes July 3)
SATURDAY - GAME SHOW NIGHT
The Osprey promotional staff recreates your favorite game shows.
LAUNCH-A-BALL
Numbered tennis balls are sold for $1 each. Following the game, fans throw their tennis ball on the field toward colored hula hoops in an attempt to win cash and prizes. A pair of reserved season tickets are given away every LAUNCH-A-BALL!
SUNDAY - KID'S DAY/KID'S CLUB MEMBERSHIP DAY sponsored by Jiffy Lube & Zoo 107.5 FM
The game is centered on kid's promotions, music & activities. Following the game, all fans can run around the bases and play catch on the field.
SOCIAL MEDIA SUNDAY sponsored by ESPN 97.5 FM
Social Media Sundays is a new addition, where fans that follow the Missoula Osprey on Facebook and Twitter will be able to use code words for special ticket offers on Sundays throughout the season.
All promotions subject to change without notice