Glacier Range Riders

The Glacier Range Riders are an independent baseball team of the Pioneer League, an MLB Partner League, who are scheduled to begin play in 2022. They will be located in Kalispell, Montana and play their home games at Flathead Field.

Glacier Range Riders
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
LeaguePioneer League
DivisionNorthern
Team data
ColorsRed, black, olive, sienna, white
         
MascotCliff
BallparkFlathead Field
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Ridge Run Baseball LLC
PresidentMarty Kelly
General managerErik Moore
ManagerNick Hogan

The Range Riders are named for nearby Glacier National Park, established in 1910. Incidentally, the team chose to reveal their name on January 19 at 10:00 am to commemorate its founding.[1]

History

With the contraction of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Pioneer League was converted from an MLB-affiliated Rookie Advanced league to an independent baseball league and granted status as an MLB Partner League.[2]

With the transition, the Pioneer League added the Boise Hawks, a former member of the Northwest League, for the 2021 season.[3] To keep the league at eight teams, the Northern Colorado Owlz (formerly the Orem Owlz) sat out 2021. With the return of the Owlz for 2022, a tenth team was needed to balance the schedule, and on August 16, 2021, Ridge Run Baseball LLC was awarded an expansion team to begin play in 2022.[4]

The announcement also revealed that a new ballpark would be constructed alongside U.S. Route 93 north of Kalispell. The park, currently known as Flathead Field, will seat 2,500 and feature artificial turf.

The franchise is currently scheduled to debut on May 23, 2022 against the Rocky Mountain Vibes with their first home game scheduled for June 14 against the Billings Mustangs.[5]

References
  1. "Pioneer League's Glacier Range Riders pay homage to National Park". SportsLogos.net. January 19, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  2. "Pioneer League named MLB Partner League". Baseball America. November 30, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  3. Wustrow, John. "Boise Hawks lose minor league affiliation, join Pioneer League". Idaho Press. Idaho Press. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  4. Drew, Micah (16 August 2021). "Flathead Valley Gains Minor League Baseball Team". Flathead Beacon. Flathead Beacon.
  5. "Pioneer Baseball League Announces 2022 Schedule". Pioneer Baseball League. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
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