| Missoula PaddleHeads | |||||
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| Minor league affiliations | |||||
| Class | Independent (from 2021) | ||||
| Previous classes | Rookie Advanced (1999–2020) | ||||
| League | Pioneer League (1999–present) | ||||
| Major league affiliations | |||||
| Team | Independent (from 2021) | ||||
| Previous teams | Arizona Diamondbacks (1999–2020) | ||||
| Minor league titles | |||||
| League titles (5) |
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| Division titles (5) |
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| Team data | |||||
| Name | Missoula PaddleHeads (2020–present) | ||||
Previous names | Missoula Osprey (1999–2019) | ||||
| Ballpark | Ogren Park at Allegiance Field (2004–present) | ||||
Previous parks | Lindborg-Cregg Field (1999–2003) | ||||
Owner(s)/ | Big Sky Professional Baseball | ||||
| President | Matt Ellis[1] | ||||
| Manager | Michael Schlact | ||||
The Missoula PaddleHeads are an independent baseball team of the Pioneer League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB) but is an MLB Partner League. They are located in Missoula, Montana, and play their home games at Ogren Park at Allegiance Field.
In conjunction with a contraction of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Pioneer League, of which the PaddleHeads have been members since 1999, was converted from an MLB-affiliated Rookie Advanced league to an independent baseball league and granted status as an MLB Partner League, with Missoula continuing as members.[2] Prior to this, the PaddleHeads had been affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks (1996–2020).
The team has won the Pioneer League championship five times; in 1999, 2006, 2012, 2015, and 2021.
The club was known as the Missoula Osprey from 1999 through the 2019 season. Previously, the franchise played in Lethbridge, Alberta, as the Lethbridge Black Diamonds. Missoula has had baseball since the early 1900s, with previous team names being the Highlanders and the Timberjacks.[3]
In 2019, the team rebranded as the Missoula PaddleHeads, a term referencing moose antlers being known as "paddles", making the male moose a "paddlehead".[4] The brand also showcases the diversity of kayaking, canoeing and other river-based activities found in Missoula, while the logo features a baseball bat paddle and a partially submerged moose.[5]
Eighty-six Missoula players have also played in Major League Baseball.[6] They are:
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