PRESS RELEASE – The Missoula Osprey announced their ever popular promotional schedule today highlighted by three famous low-level fireworks extravaganzas, multiple affordable options on game tickets and food as well as exclusive premium giveaway nights as the club prepares for their 13th season in Missoula with their home opener set for June 22.
Individual game tickets will go on sale Saturday, June 4, at the Osprey Team Store, online at MissoulaOsprey.com and by calling 543-3300.
The traditional Independence Day fireworks show will be on Friday, July 1, that will be coupled with a show on Friday, July 22 and a third show on Friday, August 19.
“Our fans have enjoyed three low-level fireworks shows and we are excited to deliver them again this year,” said Osprey General Manager – Sales & Marketing Jeff Griffin. “They are always one of our most popular game promotions.”
Besides the traditional giveaway items (Magnet Schedules – June 22, Cap Night – July 9, T-Shirt Night – August 6, and Team Photos – September 8), the Osprey will be giving away a pair of bobbleheads – one of which will honor current Colorado Rockies outfielder and Osprey alum Carlos Gonzalez on August 20. Gonzalez has his sights set on a 40 home run, 40 stolen base season in 2011 to compliment his Silver Slugger, Gold Glove and MLB Breakout Player of the Year Award in 2010.
“At just 25-years-old, CarGo is one of the up-and-coming players in major league baseball and has the potential to compile the most successful playing career of anyone to ever play in an Osprey uniform,” said Griffin. “This is just one example of this being our strongest promotional schedule ever.”
The other bobblehead the Osprey will hand out this season will be the fourth in a series honoring firefighters in Western Montana. On July 8, the first 750 fans will receive a Female Firefighter Bobblehead. The series of bobbleheads recognizes not only those who have fought the fires, but educates fans on fire prevention.
“Smokey Bear started the series in 2008, since then we have produced a Wildland Firefighter, a Firefighter from the 1910 era and now a Female Wildland Firefighter,” explained Griffin. This will be another one of a kind item that we plan to continue for seasons to come.”
The first annual Made in Montana 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 different Montana made beers at the first brewfest in Osprey history.
“Montana is rich in quality beers and the ballpark will be the perfect place to host this outdoor event,” said Griffin. “We look forward making this a can’t-miss event that our fans look forward to each summer.”
The Osprey players and coaches will be Tough Enough to Wear Pink for three games in the month of July. The games, on July 21-23, will serve as a fundraiser for the non-profit organization that assists with medical costs for breast cancer patients locally. The jerseys will be auctioned off during the three days, with all proceeds benefiting Tough Enough to Wear Pink of Missoula.
Pink Thunderstixx will be given away to all of the fans that attend the game on July 22 and as mentioned before, those fans will be treated to a low-level fireworks show following the game. Pink Visors will be given to the first 750 fans on July 23 and while rocking out with Kung Fu Kongress, fans can get their photo taken with their favorite Osprey player, free of charge courtesy of Mike Williams Photography.
“We are able to use the popularity of minor league baseball to improve quality of life in our community,” mentioned Griffin. “Tough Enough to Wear Pink is a very worthy organization. Cancer is one of those things that has touched everyone in Western Montana somewhere along the line.”
The Osprey will have two other special jersey nights with an eye on fundraising for local nonprofits. The Osprey will wear red and yellow jerseys as a fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House on June 30 and lavender jerseys in support of the Epilepsy Association of Montana on August 31.
Family Night is back on Monday’s, where a family of four can purchase four general admission tickets, hot dogs, bags of chips, sodas and one Super Scorecard for just $30 with the donation of non-perishable food items to the Missoula Food Bank.
Also returning is the ever-popular Bike to the Ballpark Night (2-for-1 tickets for riding your bike to the game) every Tuesday. Bike to the Ballpark is joined by KRAFT Singles Tuesday Night Tickets at every Tuesday regular season home game, where fans can buy one ticket get one free when presenting a KRAFT Singles wrapper at the ticket booth.
Senior Night joins up with Bang for Your Buck Night and Game Show Night on Wednesday. Seniors 55+ can purchase 2-for-1 tickets, there will be $1 menu items at the Osprey concession stands for all and the Osprey promotional team will recreate favorite game shows of the past. Seniors will have the opportunity to “Walk the Bases” after the game.
$10K Thursday is back, where once again nine lucky fans will have the opportunity to win $10,000 during the game. Two of the first three year’s of the promotion, the $10,000 was given away at the ballpark.
“It’s not every day that you can go to an event and have a chance of going home $10,000 richer,” said Griffin.
Fans can win a pair of roundtrip airfare to Phoenix, Las Vegas and Los Angeles on Fly Away Fridays.
A live band will play prior to every Saturday home game and Launch-A-Ball will once again follow the Saturday home games. The artists from Wapikiya Records are already booked for the first Saturday home game on July 9 as have been the up and coming local band Kung Fu Congress on July 23 and well known country artist Shane Clouse on August 6.
“The current line-up of local musicians is incredible. Each of them has their own style and will be another added piece of entertainment to enhance the fan experience at the ballpark. We will be announcing the final two Saturday acts in the coming weeks,” explained Griffin.
Sunday is Kid’s Day, where the game is centered on kid’s promotions, music and activities. Following the game, all fans can run the bases and play catch on the field.
Also returning for fans this season will be the “Glove it for Cash” promotion. During each regular season home game, the first fan to catch a foul ball in the air with a glove will win $50 cash.
Once again, all full season-ticket holders that met the criteria of the promotion will receive a voucher good for one free popcorn and soda for each of the 38 regular season home games.
“We want to make Osprey baseball one of the most economical entertainment options in Missoula,” added Griffin.
Group, season and other packaged tickets are on sale now.
All promotions are subject to change without notice and the fireworks shows are subject to weather conditions.
Here is the list of weekly promotions:
MONDAY:
FAMILY NIGHT sponsored by Farmers State Bank and Cherry Creek Radio
4 general admission tickets, hot dogs, chips, sodas, & 1 super scorecard for $30 with the donation of non-perishable food items. All food collected benefits the Missoula Food Bank.
TUESDAY:
BIKE TO THE BALLPARK sponsored by Missoula in Motion
2- for-1 tickets for anyone who bikes to the ballpark
KRAFT SINGLES TUESDAY NIGHT TICKETS sponsored by KRAFT Singles
Buy 1 Ticket, Get 1 Free from KRAFT Singles with purchase. Bring your package wrapper to a Missoula Osprey Game on Tuesdays for a steal of a deal! Visit kraftsingles.com for more info! Exclusions apply.
WEDNESDAY:
SENIOR WEDNESDAY’S
Seniors ages 55+ receive 2-for-1 tickets with identification and can walk the bases after the game.
BANG FOR YOUR BUCK NIGHT
See how far your bucks can go with food specials to stretch your dollars throughout the game.
GAME SHOW NIGHT
The Osprey promotional staff recreate your favorite game shows
THURSDAY:
$10K THURSDAY sponsored by Kettlehouse Brewery
Each and every Thursday home game, Osprey fans will have the chance to leave the stadium $10,000 richer. That’s right, every inning, one lucky contestant will be drawn and if a specific baseball situation occurs, then that fan will win $10,000.
FRIDAY:
FLY AWAY FRIDAY sponsored by Allegiant Air and Mountain FM
All Osprey fans ages 18 and over will have the opportunity to enter and win roundtrip airfare from Missoula to Las Vegas, Phoenix and Los Angeles. A pair of airline tickets will be given away each Friday.
SATURDAY:
PREGAME CONCERTS sponsored by Missoula Independent
Show up early for pre-game music from a local band every Saturday night.
July 9 – Wapikiya Records
July 23 – Kung Fu Kongress
August 6 – Shane Clouse
August 13 – TBD
August 20 – TBD
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
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.
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