It’s been 25 years since the Salt Lake Trappers (rookie; Pioneer League) set a pro-sports record for consecutive wins — and also served as a blueprint for what would become a lively independent-baseball industry. A team in an affiliated league may seem like an unlikely precursor to independent baseball, but the Trappers were an independent […]
Tag Archives | pioneer league
Grand Junction Rockies open strong
It was a good crowd on hand for the first game in Grand Junction Rockies (rookie; Pioneer League) history, as 4,850 fans showed up to Suplizio Field. As a bonus: the team won, 10-6, over Idaho Falls. The Rockies played last season as the Casper Ghosts; the team was bought in the offseason by the Monfort brothers, owner […]
Osprey, Diamondbacks extend PDC
The Missoula Osprey (rookie; Pioneer League) and the Arizona Diamondbacks extended their player-development contract (PDC) through the 2016 season. “We have been with the Arizona Diamondbacks since they were granted an expansion franchise and we see no reason to end that relationship now,” said Matt Ellis, Osprey Executive Vice President, via press release. “We feel […]
More fallout from Missoula ballpark financing
Four prominent Missoula residents who backed loans on a new ballpark for the Missoula Osprey (rookie; Pioneer League) are being sued by the bank calling in the notes. A little background. When a community group, Play Ball Missoula, was putting together the financing deal for Ogren Park at Allegiance Field, 19 community members signed notes of […]
Milwaukee, Helena extend PDC
The Milwaukee Brewers and the Helena Brewers (rookie; Pioneer League) announced a two-year player development contract extension through the 2014 season. “We are excited to extend our player development contract with the Helena franchise,” said Reid Nichols, Brewers Special Assistant to the General Manager/Director of Player Development/Training Center. “The Helena front office, led by President/General […]
Grand Junction Rockies preparing for 2012 debut
The only change in rookie ball this season: the Grand Junction Rockies (rookie; Pioneer League) will be playing out of Suplizio Field after moving from Casper. It’s been a total makeover for the team: the franchise was purchased by the Monfort brothers — owners of the Colorado Rockies— and moved to Suplizio Field, which also saw offseason […]
Casper Cutthroats open season; will it be a short tenure?
The Casper Cutthroats (summer collegiate; Mountain Collegiate Baseball League) made their debut last night at Mike Lansing Field to a big crowd — which may attract MiLB interest. As you’ll recall, Mike Lansing Field was available this summer after the Casper Ghosts (rookie; Pioneer League) were purchased by the Monfort brothers (owners of the Colorado Rockies) […]
Pioneer League back to Casper?
Representatives from an unnamed rookie Pioneer League team are visiting Mike Lansing Field, former home of the Casper Ghosts, to discuss a possible move for 2013. The Ghosts moved to Grand Junction, Col. this offseason after the team was purchased last year by the Monfort brothers, the owners of the Colorado Rockies. The visit is […]
New for 2012: Grand Junction Rockies
The Casper Ghosts (rookie; Pioneer League) are no more; instead, the team will be the Grand Junction Rockies and play at Suplizio Field beginning in 2012. Tim Ray, who oversaw the team on behalf of the Monfort brothers, the owners of the Colorado Rockies and who bought the team at the beginning of this year, […]
Grand Junction approves Ghosts lease; formal announcement slated for today
The move of the Casper Ghosts (rookie; Pioneer League) is one step closer after the Grand Junction (Col.) City Council approves a lease agreement for the team to play at Suplizio Field. A formal announcement of the move is slated for today. The team is basically gone; there are reports email sent to the old […]
Monforts moving Ghosts to Grand Junction?
It sounds like the Monforts are ready to pull the trigger on a move of the Casper Ghosts (rookie; Pioneer League) to Grand Junction’s Suplizio Field for the 2012 season, bringing player development closer to the Denver home base. No surprise the Monforts are reportedly pulling the trigger: they were eying Grand Junction even before […]
Missoula closes on purchase of Osprey home
The Missoula City Council is buying Ogren Park at Allegiance Field, the home of the Missoula Osprey (rookie; Pioneer League) for $3.55 million, bailing out the nonprofit Play Ball Missoula and providing a solid base for the ballpark’s future. The city is using $2 million in city redevelopment funds and issuing $1.55 million in new […]
Missoula buying Osprey ballpark for $2 million
Play Ball Missoula is running out of money, so the Missoula City Council is buying Ogren Park at a pretty deep discount — $2 million — and turning over management of the downtown ballpark to the Missoula Osprey (rookie; Pioneer League). Play Ball spent years getting the ballpark built, fighting financial issues to raise construction […]