Voyagers, Osprey square off on military night

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Collin Schmidt
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The Great Falls Voyagers squared off against the Missoula Osprey in a heated baseball game during military appreciation night at Centene Stadium in Great Falls, Montana, on June 28. With more than 3,000 people in attendance, Airmen, veterans and civilians alike came out to show their military pride and watch the game.

Although the Voyagers did not take home the win, falling 8-9 to the Osprey at the bottom of the ninth inning, fans still cheered and had the opportunity to see some great plays by some very talented athletes.

"Military night has been a great tradition for us and has been around for a long time," said Scott Reasoner, Great Falls Voyagers general manager. "The military is a big part of Great Falls. Both the Air National Guard and Malmstrom Air Force Base are part of the fabric of our community. It's great that we have been able to partner up and go a little bit above and beyond with the military appreciation.

"For these nights, we try to make sure that everyone gets a free ticket to come and see the game and we also try to have it at the beginning of the summer season so it's a nice way to kick off the warmer months," he added.

With every game, Reasoner and his team strive to provide the fans with everything they need to have a good time. During military night, the hard work that goes into running these events is especially evident. From making sure all the vendors are ready, to greeting every Airman and veteran at the door, not a single detail is left undone.

"We know a lot of military members are here for only a couple years at a time, so for us this is a nice way to introduce them to not only the ball park but also a little slice of the Great Falls community," Reasoner said. This helps them to break out and enjoy themselves. It's also a great way to get exposed and see what we have to offer. We enjoy providing this service to our military members."

With the Chicago White Sox being the Great Falls Voyagers major leagues affiliation, competition is fierce and every event is energy packed. Sixty-one more games are on the books, with 30 scheduled to be played locally.

"It's exciting and humbling to see this kind of support from our friends in the local community," said Col. Marné Deranger, 341st Missile Wing vice commander. "It always feels like they do as much, if not more, for us as we do for them."