The Milwaukee Brewers will maintain a relationship in the Rookie-level Pioneer League as the former Helena Brewers are shifting to Colorado Springs for the 2019 season by the Elmore Sports Group.
The team will continue to play their home games at Security Service Field, where Triple-A baseball was hosted for the previous 31 seasons, as the Elmore Sports Group shifts three MiLB franchises for 2019. The Sky Sox name will be retired, and the new Brewers-affiliated team will undergo a rebranding for 2019 and beyond. The affiliation deal runs through 2020. The level of play is changing, but not the venue: the Brewers were also affiliated with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox and will continue that Triple-A affiliation as the team begins play in San Antonio in 2019.
“We are excited to continue the partnership with the Elmore Sports Group as they usher in a new era of professional baseball in Colorado Springs,” said Brewers Farm Director Tom Flanagan. “Fans will sense the excitement of rookie level baseball, as our players will make their affiliated baseball debut at Security Service Field. Colorado Springs will be an excellent first stop on their journey to the Major Leagues.”
“We are thrilled to extend our partnership with the Brewers organization as we welcome in the newest era of Colorado Springs professional baseball,” said Colorado Springs General Manager Chris Phillips. “We appreciate the remarkable relationship we have developed over the past four seasons with Milwaukee and are excited to host some of the newest and best talent in Minor League Baseball.”
The Helena Brewers concluded their stay in Montana following their 2018 campaign, where, with the exception of 2001 and 2002, they had an affiliation with the Brewers since 1985. The Helena franchise won four Pioneer championships, and had 134 different players make the big leagues.
You can read more about the current state of affiliations on our Affiliate Dance page. We’re now in the final stages of the 2018 Affiliate Dance, as you can see. We’re now at the point where MLB and MiLB teams can search for new affiliation options, so there’s always a shuffle of sorts at the end of the season.