(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Longtime residents of Colorado Springs probably remember summer days at the ballpark watching the Sky Sox and enjoying a ballpark frank. This summer, the Sky Sox are back in action in Colorado, if only temporarily.
According to the MLB, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox were a Triple-A team that played their first season in 1988. From 1993 through 2014, the Sky Sox were affiliated with the Colorado Rockies. When the Rockies opted not to renew their affiliation following the 2014 season, choosing Albuquerque instead, the Milwaukee Brewers signed on.
While the Sky Sox continued to play in Colorado Springs for years after, the departure of the Rockies organization put the Sox on an eventual path to leaving Olympic City. They played their last games in Colorado Springs on Labor Day weekend 2018 before relocating to San Antonio, Texas.
Colorado Springs wasn’t left without a baseball team, though. The Rocky Mountain Vibes, a Milwaukee Brewers affiliate, replaced the Helena Brewers in the short-season Pioneer League and made Colorado Springs their home.
On Monday, June 30, 2025, the Pioneer Baseball League announced that the Sky Sox would be returning to Colorado in some capacity, following the resignation of the Northern Colorado Owlz baseball club from the league. The Pioneer League said it accepted a new team to complete the Owlz’ 2025 season–the Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
“I am so grateful and proud of the Owlz players and coaches who have performed this season with the highest degree of professionalism,” said PBL President Mike Shapiro. “Under the leadership of manager Dimitri Young and pitching coach Ray King they’ve conducted themselves with utmost character and have honored the Pioneer League and the game of Baseball.”
Field Manager Dimitri Young, Pitching Coach Ray King and their coaching staff will assume command of the Sky Sox, who open their first series in Grand Junction on Tuesday, July 1.
The Sky Sox will play their 2025 home games at blocktickets Park in Colorado Springs, home to the Rocky Mountain Vibes.
