PLAY BALL! Last night was the home opener for the Missoula Osprey and one thing stood out; it's soooo nice to have baseball back in Montana for the summer!  After the jump I'll provide some observations from last night's game regarding a team that's raw but has tons of heart!

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The final additions to the Missoula Osprey opening day roster were announced late yesterday, bringing the team to 26 assigned players.  The players will be arriving today and tomorrow to be ready for opening day on Monday!  Check out the additions and the entire team after the jump!  (I've also added some links to a few of the previously announced players so you can get more information about them.)

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This week the Missoula Osprey have begun announcing players for the 2011 season.  By all accounts the general management are excited to have a great deal of experience "up the middle".

Osprey Executive Vice President Matt Ellis has a very solid theory to success in the Pioneer League … experience pays off up the middle. The more of it you have at shortstop, second base, in center field and behind the plate, the better off you will be as a team, and will give you the best chance to compete. - Ben Catley

Check out our line up after the jump!

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I am happy to report that the Missoula Osprey finally have an official blog! It's called Bird Droppings. Check it out!  The blog is managed and written by Ben "Big Cat" Catley, the official Voice of the Osprey as well as historian and webmaster. He's a good friend of mine and has a great love for baseball (even though he may originally be a Cleveland Indian fan). In the blog he covers the progress of Osprey alums both in the Diamondbacks minor league system as well as those who have been moved to other teams or are in the Big Leagues.  Only 30 more days until opening day here in Short Season ball! Enjoy!

Two of my favorite prospects to come out of Missoula have been selected to their respective 2010 Topps All Star Team.

Pretty sweet honor for Adam Eaton and Paul Goldschmidt.  From everything I've heard, it sounds like Eaton will skip the next level and go straight to California, just like Goldschmidt.  Haven't heard any word on where Goldy will end up, but would be surprised if he weren't in AA Mobile next year at some point.  Not bad for 8th round (Goldy) and 19th round (Eaton) picks!

Adam Eaton:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101130&content_id=16229988&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp

Paul Goldschmidt:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101123&content_id=16189630&vkey=pr_milb&fext=.jsp

Don't know what this means but suspect we'll hear something about how this throwing session went.  I would really like to see him pitch in a game or two this year to know where he stands.  Call me an eternal optimist, but I still think he's got it and could really help our rotation. Has any one else heard what his progress has been and the results of todays throwing session?

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/NickPiecoro/97109

As we drag on through the remainder of our painful season I cannot help but think of what September brings.  With the roster expanding to 40 players, who do ya'll think will get the call?  As my name suggests, I live in Missoula and love cheering for the Osprey. It's so exciting to see when players who began their careers here in this smallish mountain city of Missoula finally make it to the show!

So what do ya'll think? Who will get the call this year to fill out the roster?

Missoula Osprey Baseball, Ollie's World (via MissoulaOspreyBBall)

The guys at the Missoula Osprey have taken a cue from ESPN Sports Center and created a new add campaign.  Thought I'd share some of the off season happenings from up here in Montana. Can't wait for the draft and this summers season to begin!  Got to see some former Osprey when my wife and I were in town last week.  Good game against the Reds.  Cole Gillespie isn't a former Osprey, but is a Pioneer League alum from the Helena Brewers.  The kid could hit and field back then.  Glad to have him on our team now!