2019 Season Highlights

Let's talk about some of the season highlights!

We started the season off with a win against the newest team in the Pioneer League the Rocky Mountain Vibes affiliate of Milwaukee Brewers. It was a good way to start out the season!

During our first homestand, we had a surprise major leaguer play with us, Angles SS Andrelton Simmons joined us for 2 games on a rehab assignment for a sprained ankle. It's not very often that a Rookie League gets to see someone from the major leagues so it was definitely a fun experience. He was really good with the fans and spent as much time as he could signing things up until his name was called for the starting lineup.

We had SS Jeremiah Jackson and OF D'Shawn Knowles join other Pioneer League players in Boise for the Pioneer League All-Star game. In the game Jeremiah Jackson hit a grand slam! The PBL team won the game 11-7!

Despite the rain and wind, we had our most successful Paint the Park Pink yet! We raised over $4,000 that was donated to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge and XOXO Hats for Strength. Thank you Owlz fans for participating and for all that you donated!

 In the middle of our winning streak, during our 2nd half playoff push OF Johan Sala gave the team TWO walk-off wins, both games had gone into extra innings!

SS Jeremiah Jackson was a season highlight, he beat the Owlz home run record that was previously set at 16 and he tied the Pioneer League home run record that was set at 23 before he was even born! He had a 3 home run game, was awarded the Uncle Rays player of the month. He was named an end-of-season All-star by the Pioneer League, offensive player of the Week, he was on the Pipeline team of the week, and was named All-Star MVP.

Thank you to everyone who supported us the season! We can't wait for next season!

OPENING DAY!!

The day we've all been waiting for is finally here, it's Opening Day at the Home of the Orem Owlz!

The Orem Owlz staff have been putting in long hours for the last few weeks making sure that everything is ready for the players to take the field. Our players arrived on Monday, some of the coming back from last year after being in Arizona for extended Spring Training and some of them coming right from the MLB draft last week. We had excited staff members at the airport to greet them as they got off their flight. After a long day of travel, and standard Utah traffic delays the players finally made it to the stadium. After choosing their jersey number and having their headshot taken, they are ready to take the field against the Rocky Mountain Vibes!

Tuesday the players met their host families and the concessions crew was able to practice by feeding the host families and players as they got to know each other, and employees and our season ticket holders also joined them for dinner.

Media included player interviews with local news outlets. The Owlz Social Media Team got to do get to know you interviews with the players. Watch for player spotlights on our social media throughout the season. A few players also did a live on our Facebook page and you can see that here.

Join us for the season opener against the Rocky Mountain Vibes here at the Home of the Orem Owlz. First pitch is at 7:05 and we will be having fireworks after the game! Can't wait to see you there!

P.S. We have a special Fathers Day video going up on our social media platforms on Sunday so keep an eye out for that!

Move On In

With opening day just around the corner, we've had a lot to do here in Orem. Our ballpark has been through a lot the last few weeks. With Utah Valley University baseball team finished with their regular season and the Utah High School State Tournament finished last weekend, it was finally time for the Orem Owlz to move on in.

With Utah's weather being unpredictable we were just hoping to have a little bit of sunshine, but that chance of that happening was looking pretty slim and we were prepared to work in the rain. Move in day started off a little chilly with dark clouds looming, there was a high possibility of rain, but it quickly cleared up and became one of few dry days we had in the past week.

We had two main tasks that needed to be done. The first was to set up the big tents, that are used for our corporate events, and the tables and chairs set up underneath them for dining. The second was to empty the storage units.

We had a group stay at the stadium to build the frames of the tents and clean off the top tarps. It might seem like a simple task but watching them try to assemble it was somewhat comical. Poles were coming unhooked and it seemed like a never-ending cycle of trying to make sure all of the poles were secured safely, and the tarp was hooked on.

When the corners of the tarp were secured we lifted one of the sides to reveal Cory Snyder and one of our office interns Quintin who had been stuck underneath for quite some time. With all of us on the outside of the frame, we all worked together to lift the top enough to put the legs on and secure them with pins. It was time to move it to match up with the other smaller tent. All following Cory's lead who was taking orders from Rick Berry, our general manager, we moved it 6 inches one way, 6 inches another way, and back six inches to where we started, but we eventually got in place and secured.

We also had a small group take the moving truck we had rented for the day to few storage units of the Owlz have that is just down the road from the stadium which was both full of tables for our dining area, concession stands, couches for our suites, and the bounce houses for our kids play area. And with just a few bumps and bruises we loaded and unloaded the truck at the stadium and helped set up the tables and chairs under the tents.

In between our tent set up and the unloading of the truck we had a short lunch break that consisted of pizza and went back to work. The units were emptied and the dining area was set up and everyone had lost the pep in their step that they had in the morning. Dark clouds were starting to roll in and it looked like the rain that was promised was finally making its appearance just in time for us to finish the last few things we had to do.

Opening Day is in just one week and we are so excited for the season to start! Remember to join us on Friday, June 14th where we will take on the Rocky Mountain Vibes with a firework show after the game!

Mark Your Calendars!

With our Opening Day just around the corner, here are some games that you won't want to miss!

OPENING DAY - June 14th

Opening day is only 27 days away! Join us in starting our season off with a bang with a firework show after our first game against the Rocky Mountain Vibes! 

LUAU NIGHT - June 15th

As a part of our opening weekend, we'll be having a Luau night! Throw on your best Hawaiian shirt and come join us in watching fire dancers. 

4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION - July 3rd

Join us in celebrating the 4th of July a day early (we'll be playing out of town on the 4th) at the ballpark with a firework show to end the night!

STAR WARS NIGHT - July 8th

Come dressed as your favorite Star Wars character and join our side for fun night at the ballpark!

DIAMOND DIG - July 19th

Hur Jewelers sponsors our Diamond Dig night, where after the game you'll be able to dig for hidden jewels on our field!

DISNEY PRINCESS NIGHT - July 22nd

Our Princess night is a magical night that you won't want to miss! Bring your family to meet the Disney Princesses and Princes and enjoy the game!

PIONEER DAY - July 24th

Join us in celebrating Utah in our Pioneer Day celebration, with activities for the whole family, and we'll end the night with another firework show.

PAINT THE PARK PINK - August 3rd

Help us paint our park pink in honor of cancer awareness, by coming dressed in as much pink as you can!

PROVO THROWBACK - August 8th

On our throwback night, our players will be wearing throwback jerseys from when the Owlz were the Provo Angels. 

CRAZY HAIR NIGHT - August 9th

Join us and Sports Clips in wearing your craziest hair to the ballpark!

MASCOT NIGHT - August 12th

Bring your family out to see all of your favorite mascots join Hootz, Holly, and Rowley in cheering on your Orem Owlz, and doing fun activities!

HEROES NIGHT - August 31st

Bring your family out and join us in honoring our heroes that are serving our community and country. There will also be a Guns vs. Hoses game between our local law enforcement and firefighters. 

FAN APPRECIATION - September 7th

We'll end our season by having a fan appreciation night to say thank you for all of your support! We'll be ending the season just like we started with a firework show!

Hoo Are We Up Against

Grand Junction Rockies

 Location: Grand Junction, Colorado

 Ballpark: Suplizio Fields

  Shared with Colorado Mesa University's baseball team and local high school baseball teams

  Home of the Junior College World Series

 Affiliate: Colorado Rockies

 Manager: Jake Opitz

 Last Division Title: 2018

 Last Pioneer League Title: 1981

 Mascot: Corky Coyote

Rocky Mountain Vibes 

 North Division

 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado

 Ballpark: UCHealth Park

  Former field of Triple-A team Colorado Springs Sky Sox

 Affiliate: Milwaukee Brewers

 Manager: Nestor Corredor 

 The Vibes are a new team to the Pioneer League so they are yet to have a Division or League title

 Mascot: Toasty

Ogden Raptor

 Location: Ogden, UT

  Ballpark: Lindquist Field

  Affiliate: Los Angeles Dodgers

  Manager: Austin Chubb

  Last Division Title: 2018

  Last Pioneer League Title: 2017

  Mascot: Oggie the Raptor

Missoula Osprey

North Division

 Location: Missoula, Montana

 Ballpark: Ogren Park at Allegiance Field

 Affiliate: Arizona Diamondbacks

 Manager: Juan Francia

 Last Division Title: 2009

 Last Pioneer League Title: 2015

 Mascot: Ollie Osprey

Idaho Falls Chukars

 Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho

 Ballpark: Melaleuca Field

  Shared with local high school baseball teams

 Affiliate: Kansas City Royals

 Manager: Omar Ramirez

 Last Division Title: 2013

 Last League Title: 2013

 Mascot: Charlie the Chukar

The Minor League Ladder

Have you ever wondered what the possibilities were for a player after they play for the Owlz?
Here's a look at all of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim's affiliate teams and the leagues they are a part of.

Rookie:
An affiliate fo the Angels since the early 1990s the Arizona League (AZL) Angels play in Tempe, Arizona.

The AZL Angels are members of the Arizona league made up of teams in and around Phoneix, Arizona and play their games in the spring training complexes or on their practice field. They are the lowest rung of the minor league system and are mostly made up of players from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela and players drafted straight out of high school. They play a short season from mid-Jue to August, and their games can be attended for free. In order to play in this league, a player can't have more than 3 years of previous experience in the minor leagues.

The Orem Owlz are also a part of the Rookie League and are just a step above the AZL Angels. The Owlz have been an Angels affiliate since 2001. They are a part of the Pioneer League which is made up of teams in the Rocky Mountain region of the U.S. The majority of the players in the Pioneer League are in their first or second year of minor league play.

Single-A:
With their home field located in Burlington, Iowa the Burlington Bees have been an affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels since 2013. They are a part of the Midwest League and unlike the Rookie League, they play a full season from April to September. Players that play in Single-A have been in the minors for 2 or 3 years.

The Inland Empire 66ers play in San Bernardino, California. They've been an affiliate team of the Angels since 2011. They are apart of the Single-A league but are just a step higher being Single-A advanced. Most of the players on these teams have been playing for 3 or 4 years but sometimes those who have college experience begin their play at this level. The 66ers are apart of the California League that consist of teams west of the Rockies. They play a season from April to mid-September.

Double-A:
The Angels affiliate Double-A team is the Mobile BayBears, who currently play in Mobile, Alabama The BayBears will be moving to Madison, Alabama in 2020 and will become the Rocket City Trash Pandas. They've been an affiliate since 2017. The Double-A League is the second highest level in the minor league just one step below Triple-A. Players who start in this league are usually from foreign leagues or top college prospects.

Triple-A:
The Salt Lake Bees are the Angels Triple-A affiliate team and have been since 2001. They play in Salt Lake City, Utah, just an hour drive from the Owlz home field.
They are a part of the Pacific Coast League and are the last league in the Minors before moving on to the MLB. There is a lot of movement between the Triple-A teams and the MLB teams because players are often optioned up or down for a temporary position to replace a player on their roster.

History of the Orem Owlz

Before the Owlz were the Owlz they were the Provo Angels.

They played their first season in 2001 at the Larry H Miller Field that they shared with Brigham Young University. That first season Tom Kotchman was their General Manager.

In 2001 they finished out the season with a league-leading record with 53-23. Jason Dennis their LHP had a 2.05 ERA which was the best in the league. In the playoffs, they won against the Casper Rockies, now the Grand Junction Rockies. They lost to the Billings Mustangs in the final round.

In 2002, their top hitter Alberto Callaspo led the league with 101 hits, 10 triples, and 70 runs. They made it to the playoffs again where they beat the Ogden Raptors. They ended up losing to the Great Falls Dodgers, who are now the Great Falls Voyagers.

2003 was a better year with a 54-22 record. Their catcher Robert Wilson led the league in RBIs with 62. They made it to the playoffs beating the Ogden Raptors again but lost to the Billings Mustangs in the final round.

In 2004 they had the league's best regular season record with 44-32. The RHP Mitchell Arnold led the league with 14 saves. After 3 years of postseason appearances, they beat the Idaho Falls Chukars and the Billings Mustangs to win their first League Championship.

After the 2004 season, the Provo Angels picked up and moved to a new ballpark sharing the field with Utah Valley University and became the Orem Owlz.

 Tom Kotchman stayed the manager and led the Orem Owlz to win their first championship as the Orem Owlz in 2005.

In 2006 they lost in the first round of the championship to the Idaho Falls Chukars. Their RHP Chris Sullivan led the league with a 2.14 ERA going 4-0.

In 2008 they a 52-23 record which was another league best. They lost to the Great Falls Voyagers in the first round of the playoffs that year. They won the Championship again in 2009 but were eliminated in the first round in their next two seasons. Tom Kotchman left as General Manager in 2012 and Bill Richardson took over in 2013, with Dave Stapleton coming in, in 2014.

In 2016 Dave Stapleton led the Owlz to their 4th Championship as the Orem Owlz but their 5th Championship as a franchise. This made the Orem Owlz the quickest franchise in the Pioneer League to win 5 champions in only 17 years.

In 2017 Tom Nieto took over as manager but Dave Stapleton came back for the 2018 season.

After talk of the Orem Owlz moving to Pueblo, Colorado in 2020, we are here to say that the Owlz are staying in Orem.

This season we have Jack Santora coming in as our General Manager. We are excited to get playing so mark your calendars for June 14th where we will take on the Rocky Mountain Vibes at home in the first game of the season.