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Rocky Mountain Vibes

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Rocky Mountain Vibes
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
ClassIndependent (from 2021)
Previous classesRookie Advanced (2019–2020)
LeaguePioneer League (2019–present)
Major league affiliations
TeamIndependent (from 2021)
Previous teamsMilwaukee Brewers (2019–2020)
Minor league titles
League titles (0)None
Team data
NameRocky Mountain Vibes (2019–present)
ColorsRubine red, navy, gold, sky blue, tan[1]
         
BallparkUCHealth Park (2019–present)
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Elmore Sports Group
General managerChris Jones
ManagerLes Lancaster

The Rocky Mountain Vibes are an independent baseball team of the Pioneer League, an MLB Partner League. They are located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and play their home games at UCHealth Park.

As a result of a contraction of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Pioneer League, of which the Vibes have been members since 2019, was converted from an MLB-affiliated Rookie Advanced league to an independent baseball league and granted status as an MLB Partner League. Prior to this, they had been affiliated with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2019 and 2020.

History

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On June 21, 2017, David G. Elmore, president of Elmore Sports Group, announced a relocation plan involving several of its teams. The Helena Brewers Rookie Pioneer League franchise would move to Colorado Springs in 2019. The team would continue to compete in the league under a new nickname.[2] The Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox of the Pacific Coast League would relocate to San Antonio and continue in the PCL as the San Antonio Missions. The San Antonio Double-A Texas League franchise would relocate to Amarillo, Texas, as the Amarillo Sod Poodles.[3]

A contest to determine the Pioneer League franchise's new name was announced in June 2018.[2] The five finalists in the name-the-team contest were "Colorado Springs Happy Campers", "Colorado Springs Lamb Chops", "Colorado Springs Punchy Pikas", "Colorado Springs Throttle Jockeys", and "Rocky Mountain Oysters".[4] The team's name, "Rocky Mountain Vibes", was announced on November 19, 2018. Though not one of the finalists, the name is related to the proposed Happy Campers moniker in reference to the happy feelings or "good vibes" one may feel when enjoying outdoor activities.[5]

Rocky Mountain began as affiliates of the Milwaukee Brewers.[6] The Vibes played their first game on June 14 against the Orem Owlz as visitors, losing 3–0.[7] Their first home game was played at UCHealth Park on June 21 against the Grand Junction Rockies, an 8–5 loss.[8]

In conjunction with a contraction of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Pioneer League was converted from an MLB-affiliated league to an independent baseball league and granted status as an MLB Partner League, with Rocky Mountain continuing as members.[9] During the 2021 season, the Vibes served as an unofficial farm team for the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League, after the two sides signed an agreement allowing Rocky Mountain to host and develop a number of young talents in Monclova's organization.[10] The partnership with Monclova was later renewed for the 2022 season.[11]

Roster

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Rocky Mountain Vibes roster
Active (25-man) roster Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  •  4 Christian Day
  • 30 Garrett Hill
  • 24 Carlos Lomeli
  • 21 Myles Martinez
  • 35 Trey Morrill
  • 32 Daniel Nunan
  • 16 Jaxon O'Neal
  • 19 Zach Ottinger
  • 18 Max Pettey
  • 12 Kyle Pijaszek
  • 20 Nick Powers
  • 31 Bryson Spagnuolo
  • 10 Dustin Sprong
  • 26 Andrew Vail
  • 14 Kelsey Ward


Utility players

  • 29 Luke Powell
  

Catchers

  • 25 Tyler Davis
  •  9 Billy Hancock

Infielders

  •  5 Josh Day
  •  3 Devyn Lopez
  •  2 Eddie McCabe
  • 13 Slater Schield
  • 28 Dane Tofteland
  • 15 Ernie Yake

Outfielders

  •  6 Brett Carson
  •  8 Steven Rivas
  • 22 Mason Sykes
  • 11 Stephen Wilmer
  

Manager

Coaches

  • -- Chad De La Guerra (co-hitting/defense)
  • -- Mike Hartley (pitching)
  • -- Rafael Melchione (co-hitting/catching)

Disabled list
‡ Inactive list
§ Suspended list

[12] Roster updated June 29, 2024
 Transactions

References

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  1. ^ ""ROCKY MOUNTAIN VIBES" TO BE NEW TEAM NAME". VibesBaseball.com (Press release). MLB Advanced Media. November 19, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "New Name on Tap for Colorado Springs Pioneer League Team". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. June 13, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  3. ^ Reichard, Kevin (June 21, 2017). "Elmore Sports Group: Three Franchise Shifts in 2019". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  4. ^ "Finalists Unveiled for Colorado Springs Pioneer League Team Name". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  5. ^ Hill, Benjamin (November 19, 2018). "Colorado Springs feels the Vibes". MILB.com. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  6. ^ Reichard, Kevin (September 26, 2018). "Brewers, Colorado Springs Agree on Rookie Affiliation". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  7. ^ "Vibes 0, Owlz 3 Final Score (06/14/2019) on Gameday". MiLB.com. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  8. ^ Briggeman, Brent (June 21, 2019). "Rocky Mountain Vibes fall in home opener, ushering in new era that already feels awfully familiar". The Gazette. Colorado Springs. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  9. ^ "Pioneer League named MLB Partner League". Baseball America. November 30, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  10. ^ "Rocky Mountain Vibes Announce Historic Partnership with Acereros de Monclova". MiLB.com (Press release). April 9, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  11. ^ Fritzke, Kyle (March 22, 2022). "Rocky Mountain Vibes renew partnership with the Acereros de Monclova" (PDF) (Press release). Rocky Mountain Vibes. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  12. ^ "2024 Rocky Mountain Vibes Roster".
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