Pioneer League Named MLB Partner League

PRESS RELEASE – Major League Baseball and the Pioneer League jointly announced today that the Pioneer League has been designated a “Partner League” of MLB.

Dodgers to Officially Cut Ties with Raptors

In expected news, the Los Angeles Dodgers will reportedly cut ties with Ogden Raptors (Rookie-level, Pioneer League), as part of the downsizing scheduled to take place across the minor leagues for the 2021 season.  Read more here.   Read more local news here.

It’s the ‘Missoula PaddleHeads’

After 21 seasons as the Osprey, Missoula’s Pioneer League team announced a name change at a team rebranding event held Monday morning at the Missoula Children’s Theater.  The Osprey are now the Missoula PaddleHeads, Rookie Advanced affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Read more here.

After Success of First Big Concert at Ballpark, Efforts Underway to Improve Future Events

The recent Mumford and Sons show in Missoula (MT) saw a huge turnout at Ogren Park in the Old Saw Mill District.  Despite damage to the field that caused the Missoula Osprey (Rookie, Pioneer League) to miss six home games, officials are now working to improve on what they see as a successful production to make upcoming shows even better.  Read more here.

Vibes Lead Pioneer League in Attendance After Inaugural Opening Weekend

The Rocky Mountain Vibes (Rookie, Pioneer League) now lead the Pioneer circuit in attendance with an average of 3,959 fans per game after the team’s inaugural three-game homestand this past weekend.    That’s still filling less than half of a 8,500-seat venue that hosted a Triple-A club until the end of last season, but it’s a great start.   As we’ve suggested before, we worry about the impact the lack of intimacy of a half-empty ballpark will have on the fan experience and long-term attendance.  We’ll see.  Read more here.  Watch video here.

What other baseball team gives fans post game S’mores? 🍫🔥✌️ pic.twitter.com/FeX5EH9Blt

— Vibes Baseball (@VibesBaseball) June 22, 2019

Vibes Inaugural Opening Weekend Begins Friday

The inaugural opening weekend for the Rocky Mountain Vibes (Rookie, Pioneer League) at UCHealth Park begins Friday, June 21st.  It will be very interesting to see if this Rookie-level team can sufficiently fill an 8,500-seat venue after Colorado Springs (CO) lost its Triple-A club to San Antonio (TX) in the off season.  The branding for the club is cool and unique, and hopefully the front office has the fun-guns loaded and ready, but will it be enough to avoid the cavernous feel and lack of intimacy of a potentially less-than-half-empty ballpark?  The Sky Sox averaged a little over 4,000 fans per game the past three seasons.  Good luck, Vibes!  Watch news report: Vibes don uniforms for first time.

Vibes Unveil Uniforms, Mascot

The Rocky Mountain Vibes (Rookie, Pioneer League) have unveiled their inaugural uniforms and mascot named Toasty. Read more here and here.

Mustangs, City of Billings to Add New Videoboard to Dehler Park for 2019 Season

The Billings Mustangs (Rookie, Pioneer League) are celebrating their 12th season of professional baseball at Dehler Park with a massive upgrade: a spectacular new 16mm HD videoboard.  The new videoboard will be manufactured and installed by South Dakota-based Daktronics, the world’s industry leader in designing and manufacturing electronic scoreboards, programmable display systems and large screen video displays.  Read more here.

Edmonton Seeking RFP’s for Ballpark, Affiliated Owlz a Possible Contender

The city Edmonton (AB) is accepting pitches for tenancy at Remax Field, which could ultimately push the Edmonton Prospects (Summer Collegiate, Western Canadian Baseball League) out after its 2019 season wraps up.  A possible contender is reportedly the Orem Owlz (Rookie, Pioneer League).  Read more here.

Missoula Osprey Need Fan Help for 2020 Rebrand

The Missoula Osprey (Rookie, Pioneer League), under new ownership for the first time since its arrival in 1999, are seeking a rebrand in 2020 and want fan input to help find a new nickname Submit name here.

It’s the ‘Rocky Mountain Vibes’

They pulled a fast one!   The ownership of the Pioneer League (Rookie) franchise that has relocated from Helena (MT) to Colorado Springs (CO) decided to ditch the five name-the-team finalists — Happy Campers, Lamb Chops, Punchy Pikas, Throttle Jockeys and the Rocky Mountain Oysters.  The name of the team is the “Rocky Mountain Vibes” with a s’mores angle that should move plenty of merchandise.  Read more here.

Osprey Announce New Ownership

PRESS RELEASE – Mike and Judy Ellis, the majority stakeholders in Mountain Baseball LLC, the franchise ownership group since 1993, announced Friday their intent to sell the franchise to Peter Davis and Susan Crampton Davis of Big Sky Professional Baseball LLC.

MiLB.com Reporter Benjamin Hill Bids Adieu to Sky Sox

The departure of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) doesn’t put an end to the city’s Minor League Baseball history.  It simply ushers in a new era, as the franchise that previously existed as the Helena Brewers (Rookie, Pioneer League) will call Security Service Field home in 2019.  Pending the results of a “Name the Team” contest, the club will be known as either the Happy Campers, Lamb Chops, Punchy Pikas, Throttle Jockeys or Rocky Mountain Oysters.  Read more and view photos here.

Deal Approved: Concerts Coming to Osprey’s Ballpark

The Missoula (MT) City Council on Wednesday ratified an agreement struck with the Missoula Osprey (Rookie, Pioneer League) and concert-promoter Logjam Presents to make greater use of Civic Stadium and bring the city more financial security in paying the facility’s debt.  The three-way agreement reduces the team’s annual lease from $120,000 to $40,000 a year.  Read more here.

County Formally Closes Book on Pueblo Ballpark Plan

The Pueblo County (CO) Commissioners officially shut down the proposed baseball stadium issue Monday, terminating a deal with the Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority.  Read more here.

Proposed Agreement Could Bring Concerts to Ogren Park

Logjam Presents production company and the City of Missoula (MT) have proposed an agreement to bring concerts to Ogren Park, home of the Missoula Osprey (Rookie, Pioneer League), starting next year.  Read more here.

Owlz Staying Put in Orem — for Now

In a reversal of an announcement last month, the Orem Owlz (Rookie, Pioneer League) will not relocate to Pueblo (CO) by the 2020 season — or at all, Owlz owner Jeff Katofsky announced Monday in conjunction with a ruling from the Pueblo County government.  Read more here.  More details here from the Chieftain.  Read about the communication leading up to the decision here and here.

Finalists Announced for Pioneer League’s Coming Colorado Springs Franchise

After receiving an overwhelming response of entries submitted from the community in their “Name The Team” contest, the new Colorado Springs (CO) franchise — the soon-to-be-former Helena Brewers (Rookie, Pioneer League), have narrowed the list down to the top names, including the Colorado Springs Happy Campers, Colorado Springs Lamb Chops, Colorado Springs Punchy Pikas, Colorado Springs Throttle Jockeys, and Rocky Mountain Oysters.  Read more here.

Pueblo Ballpark Project Takes Next Step

Pueblo County commissioners Terry Hart and Sal Pace approved two resolutions Monday concerning the Youth Entertainment and Sports project, which includes a proposed minor league baseball stadium.  Read more here.

Debating the Future of Helena’s Kindrick Field

The Helena Brewers (Rookie, Pioneer League) will play their final baseball game Sept. 3 at 86-year-old Kindrick Field.  The team will be relocating from Helena (MT) to Colorado Springs (CO) beginning the 2019 season, bringing up an interesting question: What will this mean for the future of the old ballpark?  Read more and watch news report here.

All About Ogden’s Barry the Beer Guy

The refrain “Cold beer!” isn’t uncommon at a baseball park.  But at Lindquist Field, home of the Ogden Raptors (Rookie, Pioneer League), fans who hear it with a certain timbre know it’s a little different.  Because it’s Barry the Beer Guy.  Read more here.

Building Coming Down to Make Room for Pueblo’s Ballpark-Area Development

The old Pueblo (CO) Police Department annex building that sits near the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk is going to face the wrecking ball.  The building, owned by the city, is located on one of the lots the Pueblo County commissioners are proposing for a hotel to be developed within the tax increment financing district being used to fund the new $25 million ballpark.  Read more here.

Orem to Pueblo Announcement at 11:00 A.M. CDT Today

The owner of the Orem Owlz (Rookie, Pioneer League) Jeff Katofsky, will be in Pueblo (CO) Wednesday to present his intentions to relocate his team to the city.  The announcement is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. CDT.  Read more here.  Stayed tuned for more details.

Jeff Katofsky, Orem Owlz (soon to be Pueblo Owlz) Owner sits down with me for an interview. Look for video later today. “A baseball family moving to a baseball town.” pic.twitter.com/s3Up4S8gRA

— Anthony A. Mestas (@mestas3517) June 20, 2018

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Orem Owlz Relocating to Pueblo

A well-placed source confirms that the Orem Owlz (Rookie, Pioneer League) are relocating to Pueblo (CO).  A formal announcement is scheduled for Wednesday.  Read more and watch news report here.

Name-the-Team Contest Announced for Colorado Springs Rookie Franchise

After four decades of professional baseball in Colorado Springs (CO) as the Sky Sox (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League), Elmore Sports Group has announced a name-the-team contest for the Helena Brewers (Rookie, Pioneer League) franchise that will be relocating to the city when the Sky Sox move to San Antonio (TX) next season.  Fans have until Wednesday, June 27, to submit their ideas.  Submit ideas here.

City Endorses Pueblo Ballpark Plan

The Pueblo (CO) City Council gave its unanimous endorsement to Pueblo County’s plan to locate a minor-league baseball stadium in the Downtown during its regular meeting Monday.  Read more here.

Commissioner Pours Cold Water on Downtown Pueblo Ballpark Idea

Up until now, Pueblo County Commissioner Garrison Ortiz has remained on the bench when it comes to the issue of bringing a minor league baseball stadium to Downtown Pueblo (CO).  Read more here.

Pueblo Seeks Details from Developer of Ballpark, Hotels

Pueblo City Council President Chris Nicoll wants the outside developer that Pueblo County (CO) commissioners are in talks with on a proposal for combining a taxpayer-funded minor league baseball stadium with a hotel project Downtown to present his business plan.  Read more here.

Ballpark Financing Plan on Deck in Pueblo

Two of the three Pueblo (CO) County commissioners have proposed to City Council a financing plan to build a multi-use stadium Downtown that would serve as the home for an affiliated Minor League Baseball franchise.  Read more here.  Three key residents express support for affiliated ball in Pueblo.  Read more here.  The Pueblo Chieftan’s Jeff Bersch explains Pioneer League ball to readers.  Read more here.

Manager Foresees Triple-A Ball Returning to Colorado Springs

Rick Sweet, the skipper of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League), thinks Triple-A baseball could eventually find its way back to Colorado Springs (CO), particularly if MLB expands to 32 teams.  As most already know, the Sky Sox are relocating to San Antonio (TX) after this season, and the Helen Brewers (Rookie, Pioneer League) will relocate to fill the void at Security Service Field.  Read more here.

Helena Brewers Name Mroz New Broadcaster

PRESS RELEASE – Today the Helena Brewers, the Pioneer League affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, named Greg Mroz as their new Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations.

Utah Valley Gets Ballpark Naming Rights Partner

When Utah Valley University started looking for a partner to step up and purchase the naming rights for the baseball facility, UVU president Matthew Holland said there was plenty of interest.  And Utah Community Credit Union (UCCU) stepped up to the plate.  The baseball stadium has been officially renamed UCCU Ballpark as part of a $5.5 million gift UCCU donated to support UVU athletics and other programs.  Read more  here.

Musical Ballparks: Elmore Will Move Three MiLB Teams

In not so surprising, news, the Minor League Baseball landscape will look a little different in 2019 after an ownership group announced plans to relocate three teams on Wednesday.  Read more here.  With Amarillo (TX) locking down the San Antonio Missions (Double-A, Texas League), the next questions is, what happens to Wichita (KS)?  Read background story here.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Suplizio Field (Grand Junction, CO)

Graham Knight of BaseballPilgrimages.com has posted a review of his ballpark visit to Suplizio Field, home of the Grand Junction Rockies (Rookie, Pioneer League).  Read more and view photos here.

Pioneer League, Northwest League Extend All-Star Pact

PRESS RELEASE – The Pioneer Baseball League and the Northwest League on Tuesday announced the signing of an agreement with Minor League Baseball, continuing the interleague All-Star Game through the 2020 season.

Pueblo (CO) Exploring New Ballpark, Professional Baseball

Pueblo County’s Operation Home Run committee is exploring the idea of building a professional baseball stadium and youth complex at the site near the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo (CO).  If it’s affiliated ball, the Rookie-level Pioneer League would seem to make the most sense, although it would be the circuit’s furthest outpost.  Read more and view renderings here.  Read previous story here.

Grand Junction to Host 2018 Northwest League/Pioneer League All-Star Game

PRESS RELEASE -The Grand Junction Rockies have been selected to host the 2018 All Star Game between the Pioneer Baseball League (PBL) and the Northwest League (NWL).

Osprey Announce New Radio Voice

PRESS RELEASE – The Missoula Osprey announced today the addition of Cooper Perkins as the new Voice of the Osprey. Perkins will also fill the role of media relations coordinator upon his arrival in Missoula prior to the season.

Dehler Deal Back on Deck, City Compares Naming Rights Revenue Sharing

On Monday evening the Billings City Council will take another swing at approving a Dehler Park lease with Main Street Baseball LLC, which owns the Billings Mustangs (Rookie, Pioneer League).  Read more here.

Chukars, Royals Extend PDC

PRESS RELEASE – The Idaho Falls Chukars and Kansas City Royals have agreed to extend their affiliation for two more years. The current agreement was set to expire at the end of the 2016 season, and this guarantees the relationship between the Chukars and Royals will continue through the 2018 season.