Osprey Release '16 Promotional Calendar
With the 18th Missoula Osprey Home Opener less than 50 days away, the club announced its 2016 Promotional Calendar that includes many customary staples including four low-level Fireworks Extravaganzas, a T-Shirt Night, a Woodsy Owl Bobblehead Night, Kids Eat Free on Thursdays, and many other fun and affordable opportunities to see Osprey baseball.
Individual game tickets will go on sale this Saturday, May 7 at 10 a.m. at the MSO Hub, online at MissoulaOsprey.com and by calling 406-543-3300.
The first Fireworks Extravaganza is slated for Friday, June 24. The annual Independence Day fireworks show will be Friday, July 1. The final pair of fireworks shows will be July 29 and Sept. 2. All fireworks games start at 6:35 p.m.
"Our fans tell us that our fireworks shows are the best they have seen," said Osprey Vice President/General Manager Jeff Griffin. "These nights are always the most popular at the ballpark."
Back for 2016, Thursdays are Kids Eat Free. With the purchase of a full price child's ticket at the MSO Hub or stadium for a Thursday regular season home game, each child will receive a voucher good for a free hot dog, bag of chips and a soda good for that game date.
Opening Night is Tuesday, June 21 and will include a celebration of the 2015 Pioneer League Championship and the first 1,500 fans will also take home a Missoula Osprey magnetic schedule. Bike to the Ballpark is a Tuesday staple at the stadium, but will not be honored on Opening Night June 21, but rather on Wednesday June 22 and every other Tuesday regular season home game.
On Wednesday, June 22, fans will also have the opportunity to meet local celebrities at the ballpark including many current local professional athletes as part of Celebrities at the Ballpark Night. This event will benefit the Missoula Sports Commission, a branch of Destination Missoula and the TBID that benefit the local economy by bringing sports tournaments to the region.
Returning to the specialty jersey lineup will be the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Montana Jersey Night. This year's theme is Christmas Eve in June and on Friday, June 24 the Osprey will don "Not-So-Ugly" Christmas Jersey's. The jerseys will be auctioned off beginning Opening Day (ending during the game on June 24) to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Western Montana.
"We are proud to use the popularity of professional baseball to improve the quality of life in our community," mentioned Griffin.
Montana Fire Prevention and the Osprey have partnered for the past ten seasons on a fire prevention themed bobblehead. On July 9, the first 750 people through the gates will get a Woodsy Owl bobblehead.
On Friday, July 22, the first 750 fans will receive an Osprey t-shirt.
The next giveaway night is scheduled for Friday, August 12, where the first 750 fans will receive an Osprey drawstring backpack.
Faith and Family Night returns for 2016 on Sunday, July 24. Following the game, fans can stick around to hear players and coaches share stories about baseball and their faith.
Fans can bring their dogs to Ogren Park Allegiance Field for Bark in the Park Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, August 14.
The sixth annual Osprey Mega Brewfest is slated for Saturday, August 13, and is guaranteed to be a hit. Fans ages 21-and-over will be able to sample many local brews 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," Griffin said.
Also returning for 2016, the Osprey will hold a mini Brewfest every Saturday during the regular season. Each Saturday, fans can sample brews from a specific local brewery.
Other theme promotions include: Little League Night, June 26; Local Heroes Night, July 11; Union Night, July 21; Resolved Montana Night, July 29; Winetastic Event & Ladies Night, July 30; College Colors Night, Sept. 1; and Salute to Veterans Night, Sept. 7.
Another popular promotion annually is Photo Night on Friday, July 1. The gates will open at 5:30 and Mike Williams Photography will take each fans photo with their favorite player or Ollie Osprey for 45 minutes prior to the game. Mike will develop the photos and have them available for pick up FREE of charge.
Weekly promotions return with Senior Sunday and Kids Day on Sundays; Military Monday and Family Night on Mondays; Bike to the Ballpark on Tuesdays; Wing Wednesday and Game Show Night on Wednesdays; Kids Eat Free on Thursdays; We Win, "U" Win Night on Fridays; and Launch-A-Ball on Saturdays.
The Osprey will take the field at home Monday-Saturday at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday at 5:05 p.m. with the following exceptions: June 24, July 1, July 29, and Sept. 2 - the four fireworks extravaganzas will start at 6:35 p.m.
Gate opening times are 6:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. All Friday's and Saturday's will see the gates opening just over one hour prior to game time - 5:30 p.m. for the four fireworks shows and 6 p.m. for all other Friday and Saturday's.
Group, season and other packaged tickets, including the ever popular and flexible Any Game, Any Time Plan, are on sale now. Individual game tickets go on sale Saturday, May 7 and can be purchased at the MSO Hub, online at MissoulaOsprey.com, or by phone at (406) 543-3300.
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 including explanation of the weekly promotions see below.