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76 Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce www.greatfallschamber.org S P O RT S BASEBALL Professional baseball history in Great Falls dates back 80 years when its esteemed ballpark, Centene Stadium at Legion Park, was constructed in 1940. Renovations over the years have given the stadium a more updated and modern look than its 1940 birthday would indicate while keeping the essence of the old ballpark. The renovations included a new office wing in 2003, expanded concourse in 2010, a new outfield in 2014, and many more upgrades with spacious bathrooms and concession areas. The Centene Stadium is where the home games of the advanced rookie league team, the Great Falls Voyagers, are played. The Voyagers and the team's intergalactic mascot, Orbit, got their name from a famous UFO sighting in 1950. Orbit is popular with fans of all ages. In 2013, he was named the top mascot in the Pioneer League in a competition to name the greatest mascot in Minor League Baseball. The independent professional Major League Baseball Partner League team plays in the Pioneer League with teams in Montana, Idaho, Colorado, and Utah. The Northern Division is made up of teams in Great Falls, Billings, Missoula, and Idaho Falls. The Voyager's season plays 96 games, split equally between home and away. Great Falls also has a single American Legion baseball organization. It is under the umbrella of the Electric City Baseball Academy. They field teams at the AA level (Chargers), A level (Lightning), and B level (Lightning). In addition to this, there are three Little Leagues in Great Falls. Players are placed according to which part of town they live. Registration starts in December for T-ball, baseball, and softball for kids ages 5 and up. For more information: Great Falls Voyagers Centene Stadium 1015 25th St N (406) 452-5311 • gfvoyagers.com American Legion: electriccitybaseballacademy.org Americans: gfall.org Riverside: leagues.bluesombrero.com/riversidell Westside: clubs.bluesombrero.com/westsidellmt ICE SKATING, HOCKEY The Great Falls Ice Plex, located at 4001 29th St SW on Gore Hill next to Flying J truck stop, opened in November 2008. It has a seating capacity of around 1,500 and offers public skating, learn-to-skate, hockey, and figure skating classes. The Ice Plex is home to the University of Providence's men's hockey team (ACHA D2 team) as well as the Great Falls Americans. A USA Hockey sanctioned Junior A Tier III team, the Great Falls Americans, play at the Ice Plex. The team competes in a seven-team league in the North American 3 Hockey League. They play from the end of September until March. Hockey Leagues for men, women, and youth run during the winter season through March. For ticket information call (406) 868-6366. Great Falls Iceplex: (406) 866-0247 • gf-ice.org Cost: open skating, adults $5, youth $4, kids 5 and younger free; skate rental $5 Hours: days and hours may vary, October through May Requirements: helmet required for children 5 and younger COLLEGIATE SPORTS The University of Providence and its 1,800-seat McLaughlin Center gymnasium is the home of the Argos, which compete in both the Frontier Conference and the Cascade Collegiate Conference. The sports in the Frontier Conference include: men's and women's basketball, golf, rodeo, cross country, track and field, men's ice hockey, and women's volleyball. The sports in the Cascade Collegiate Conference include: men's and women's soccer, wrestling, and softball. Sports Scene Draws Crowds Photo: Great Falls Montana Tourism