A name the team sweepstakes has been announced for Colorado Springs’ upcoming Rookie-level Pioneer League team, signaling the end of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox brand.
Following the 2018 season, the current Sky Sox (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) will relocate to San Antonio to replace the Missions (Class AA; Texas League), who are moving to a new ballpark in Amarillo. The Sky Sox will be replaced in Colorado Springs by the current Helena Brewers (Rookie; Pioneer League). This is all part of a series of franchise shifts by the Elmore Sports Group.
The name Sky Sox is not slated to be used by Colorado Springs’ new Pioneer League team. As announced Wednesday, the Sky Sox are launching a name the team sweepstakes to help give that club a new identity.
“There is no better way to welcome in a new era of Colorado Springs Professional Baseball than by having our fan’s help name and brand this team,” said Chris Phillips, Sky Sox General Manager. “As baseball continues to evolve and advance, Colorado Springs deserves a team and brand that is representative of this city and our community. We need your stories to develop an identity that will be true to the heart of Colorado Springs and want everyone to be a part of Colorado Springs professional baseball history by embracing this rare opportunity to help tell the story.”
The sweepstakes will run from today until Wednesday, June 27, giving fans two weeks to submit their most creative ideas. Fans can enter the contest by going to the team’s website at SkySox.com and clicking on the “Name The Team” Sweepstakes graphic.
Fans are encouraged to suggest their idea for a team name along with an explanation of why that name is significant to Colorado Springs. Judging will be based on five criteria: originality, creativity, uniqueness, regional relevance, and appropriateness for audience.
The fan whose submission leads to the team’s new name will receive a VIP Baseball Package – Four field-level season tickets for the 2019 season, an authentic, personalized team jersey, and an on-field introduction on Opening Night 2019 with the opportunity to throw out a ceremonial first pitch.
Following two weeks of name entries, the top five to seven names selected will be listed on the website (SkySox.com) for fan voting, which will take place in mid July. The winning name will be revealed at a press conference this fall. All finalists will also be invited to the unveiling event.
The announcement out of Colorado Springs brings a bit more certainty as to how branding will be affected by the upcoming franchise shifts. The Missions name and branding will remain in San Antonio, where it will be assumed by the Pacific Coast League Sky Sox. That means that Amarillo’s Texas League team will have a new name. Five finalists for the Amarillo team’s name were announced late last month, with the winner to be revealed this fall.