1. PDC Contract Extended Through 2020
2. MLB Vet at OPAF
3. Get To Know Justin Williams

Good morning Osprey fans, the O’s are back in town and opened up a seven-game homestand with a loss last night to Grand Junction 5-3.

1. PDC Contract Extended Through 2020

The Missoula Osprey and Arizona Diamondbacks have announced  that the two have agreed upon a four-year extension of their current Player Development Contract (PDC), which will keep the two teams affiliated until at least through the 2020 season. The current agreement is set to expire at the end of the 2016 season.

This affiliation relationship is the second longest current consecutive tenure in the Pioneer League behind only the Billings Mustangs (#BeatBillings) and Cincinnati Reds affiliation agreement. The Osprey franchise, which moved to Missoula from Lethbridge, Alberta in 1999, has been affiliated with the D-backs since the 1996 season – one year before Arizona began to play Major League Baseball as an expansion franchise.

“The Osprey and Diamondbacks have a very strong partnership. We share philosophies of developing quality players on and off the field and the importance of community involvement through our players and franchises,” explained Matt Ellis, Osprey Executive Vice President. “We feel that given the entirety of the relationship, that we have the best Major League affiliate partner in baseball for our franchise, our fans, and our community. Knowing and believing that fact makes extending early not only ideal but a priority for our franchise. We are proud of our long-standing relationship with the Diamondbacks and look forward to continuing this relationship through the rest of the decade.”

From a personal standpoint, I was told by so many people around baseball before I came to Missoula of how quality an organization the Diamondbacks are. There has been nothing I’ve experienced or heard this summer to sway that opinion. So good news Osprey fans, we’ll be sending future Snakes to the Desert for another handful of years.

2. Rafael Betancourt In Missoula

In last night’s loss, the Osprey were unable to score off the typical foe, a series of young pitchers at the start of their professional careers. However, a 10-yr MLB vet gave up three runs with large thanks to the Peanut Inning. Betancourt became the first player with MLB service to appear at Ogren Park Allegiance Field and gave up three runs with only one earned in his rehab appearance. Betancourt first appeared in The Show in 2003 with Cleveland and has been with Colorado since 2009.

3. Get To Know Justin Williams

I had a fun time speaking with Justin a few days ago at Orem. Take a short break and listen in to get to know more of Justin’s approach, background, and gator hunting in the Bayou.

https://soundcloud.com/nolan-ryan-alexander/justin-williams-interview-july-13-2014