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. 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.
In 2019, the team rebranded as the Missoula PaddleHeads, a term referencing moose antlers being known as "paddles", making the male moose a "paddlehead". 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.
Missoula alumni with MLB experience Eighty-six Missoula players have also played in Major League Baseball. They are: 1999 JD Closser, Jorge de la Rosa, Doug DeVore, Lyle Overbay, Duaner Sánchez, Luis Terrero (1999–2000) 2000 Casey Daigle, Jerry Gil, Andy Green, Phil Stockman, José Valverde 2001 Scott Hairston 2002 Dustin Nippert, Tony Peña, Sergio Santos, Miguel Montero (2002–2003) 2003 Emilio Bonifacio, Carlos González, 2004 Wilkin Castillo, Steven Jackson, Esmerling Vásquez 2005 Pedro Ciriaco, Rusty Ryal, Greg Smith 2006 Héctor Ambriz, Tony Barnette, Gerardo Parra, John Hester, Jordan Norberto, Daniel Stange, Clay Zavada 2007 Bryan Augenstein, Tommy Layne, Evan Scribner, Rey Navarro (2007–2008) 2008 Jake Elmore, Daniel Schlereth, Bryan Shaw 2009 Chase Anderson, Mike Belfiore, Charles Brewer, Keon Broxton, Eury De La Rosa, Paul Goldschmidt, Bradin Hagens, Ender Inciarte, Chris Owings, Patrick Schuster (2009–2010), Enrique Burgos (2009, 2011) 2010 Adam Eaton, David Holmberg, Stephen Cardullo (2010–2011) 2011 Archie Bradley, Ryan Court, Keith Hessler, DJ Johnson 2012 Socrates Brito, Jake Lamb, Michael Perez, Andrew Velazquez 2013 Silvino Bracho, Steve Hathaway, Daniel Palka, Brad Keller (2013–2014), Justin Williams (2013–2014) 2014 Sergio Alcántara, Kevin Cron, Touki Toussaint, Gabriel Moya (2014–2015), Yefry Ramirez (2014–2015), José Herrera (2014, 2016) 2015 Isan Díaz, Marcus Wilson 2016 Jazz Chisholm Jr., Jhoan Durán, Luís Madero (2016–2017), Luis Castillo (2016, 2018) 2017 José Caballero, Elvis Luciano 2018 Buddy Kennedy, Cristofer Ogando, Geraldo Perdomo, Alek Thomas 2019 Dominic Canzone, Justin Martínez, Liover Peguero
Roster
References
External links Official website