Missoula Osprey Cancel Friday Fireworks Show Due To Stage Two Restrictions – Prepare For Playoffs
The Missoula Osprey, headed to the Pioneer League playoffs by virtue of winning the first half of their season, have decided to cancel their fireworks show on Friday due to the wildfires in the area.
General Manager Matt Ellis said on Tuesday that the decision was made for the safety of the community.
"Once we get to Stage Two restrictions, we're real sensitive to the issue, and we decided after discussing it with Missoula Emergency Services that it was probably best that we cancel the show,and lead by example," Ellis said.
The Osprey won the first half of the season and were guaranteed a spot in the playoffs despite their second half record, however the O's have dominated the North Division in the second half as well, with a two-game lead over the second place Billings Mustangs. Ellis said there are several regular season games left before the playoffs.
"The season ends on September 8th," he said. "We're home for four games this week and then the season ends on the 8th. The 9th will be the first game in the North Division playoff series on the road, then we return home for the last two, if necessary, since it's best two out of three games."
Ellis said the team has had to deal with an interesting variety of weather factors this season.
"We've had a lot of weather challenges this year with the June heat wave, and then we had some rain-outs in July, and then we've had the smoke in August, so we've been dodging weather issues all summer, but attendance has been up and that's due to how well the team has been playing."
The Osprey play at Ogren Park at Allegiance Field in McCormick Park.