The Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) will be moving to San Antonio for the 2019 season if a new ballpark deal can be reached, according to an announcement by team owner David Elmore and Mayor Ivy Taylor at this morning’s City Council meeting.
Of course, that is a big if, and as of now details on the funding and location of the ballpark are scant. Still, enough preliminary work on the ballpark proposal must be in place for the pair to move forward with the announcement. Spurs Sports & Entertainment (SSE) has to approve any new downtown venue per their arena lease, and voters will likely need to approve any ballpark funding plan. The estimated cost of a new ballpark, per Taylor: $75 million.
And, unless something changes, the San Antonio Missions (Class AA; Texas League) will play through the 2018 season before a move elsewhere. The most likely destination, Elmore said, was Amarillo: that’s the city that’s moved the most on a new-ballpark plan, with a potential funding formula receiving preliminary approval yesterday. Even though we’re anticipating the current Missions name will make the move to the new ballpark, this franchise and its affiliation with the Padres would be moving to a new city.
Besides the Missions, members of the Elmore Sports Group own the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), the Inland Empire 66ers (High A; California League), the Bakersfield Blaze (High A; California League), the Eugene Emeralds (short season A; Northwest League), the Helena Brewers (rookie; Pioneer League) and the Idaho Falls Chukars (rookie; Pioneer League), and are in the process of buying the Lynchburg Hillcats (High A; Carolina League). The Elmore Sports Group includes Dave Elmore, D.G. Elmore Jr. and Doug Elmore.
Potentially replacing the Sky Sox in Colorado Springs: the Helena Brewers (rookie; Pioneer League). While this stretches the edge of the Pioneer League, it has the advantage of fulfilling the ballpark lease and is certainly a market upgrade. Though the team is run by Elmore Sports Group, the H-Brewers are owned by D.G. Elmore Jr.
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