Security Service Field
Encyclopedia
Security Service Field, formerly known as Sky Sox Stadium, is a professional baseball stadium on the eastern edge of Colorado Springs, Colorado
. The stadium is the home of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
, the AAA-level affiliate of the Colorado Rockies
Major League Baseball
team. Before the construction of Sky Sox Stadium, the Sky Sox played on a public field at Memorial Park in downtown Colorado Springs. Sky Sox Stadium was constructed in time for the 1988 season at a cost of $3.7 million and was the home of the Sky Sox for seventeen seasons (1988-2004). During that time the Sky Sox won two Pacific Coast League
championships (1992 and 1995). Attendance was generally good, but at the end of the 2004 season, facing declining turnout and an assortment of problems that showed the ballpark's age (capped by the center-field scoreboard, on which the ball, strike, and out indicators were non-functional), team executives decided to renovate the ballpark. Construction is ongoing, but some changes are already apparent, such as an improved sound system, a more modern scoreboard with video screen, a new walkway leading to the gates, a banquet facility at the end of the right field concourse, and a readout in the right field wall displaying the speed of each pitch. Along with these changes, the park's naming rights were sold to Security Service Federal Credit Union
, a prominent local company and longtime sponsor of the Sky Sox.
Along with baseball games, Security Service Field sometimes plays home to local concerts. Security Service Field is also the part-time home of the amateur soccer club Colorado Springs Blizzard
of the USL Premier Development League
. Security Service Field is owned by the Elmore Sports Group and managed by the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. The facility seats 8,500 for baseball, but the capacity can be expanded to 10,000 for other events.
(played 1950-1956), Charlie Manuel
(managed 1990-1992), Alan Cockrell
(played 1990, 1992, 1994-1996), Norm "Bulldog" Coleman (non-player who helped the Sky Sox succeed financially, inducted 1996), Ryan Hawblitzel
(played 1993-1996), Trenidad Hubbard
(played 1993-1996), and Brad Mills (managed 1993-1996).
At 6,531 feet above sea level, Security Service Field is at a higher elevation than any other professional baseball park in North America. The stadium faces east, toward the plains and the Springs Ranch housing development, meaning that fans cannot see the Rocky Mountains to the west. This is due to the fact the sun sets over the mountains and would be a distraction to batters if the stadium faced west.
At the end of the right field foul line, there is a raised deck in foul territory. On the deck is a hot tub, from which up to eight fans can watch the game.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
. The stadium is the home of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox
Colorado Springs Sky Sox
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox are a minor league baseball team in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team's colors are red and blue. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the major league Colorado Rockies...
, the AAA-level affiliate of the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
team. Before the construction of Sky Sox Stadium, the Sky Sox played on a public field at Memorial Park in downtown Colorado Springs. Sky Sox Stadium was constructed in time for the 1988 season at a cost of $3.7 million and was the home of the Sky Sox for seventeen seasons (1988-2004). During that time the Sky Sox won two Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
championships (1992 and 1995). Attendance was generally good, but at the end of the 2004 season, facing declining turnout and an assortment of problems that showed the ballpark's age (capped by the center-field scoreboard, on which the ball, strike, and out indicators were non-functional), team executives decided to renovate the ballpark. Construction is ongoing, but some changes are already apparent, such as an improved sound system, a more modern scoreboard with video screen, a new walkway leading to the gates, a banquet facility at the end of the right field concourse, and a readout in the right field wall displaying the speed of each pitch. Along with these changes, the park's naming rights were sold to Security Service Federal Credit Union
Security Service Federal Credit Union
Security Service Federal Credit Union, commonly shortened to SSFCU, is a federally insured, state chartered, 6 billion dollar, more than 840,000 members, natural person, credit union operating from over 65 service centers in Texas, Colorado, and Utah...
, a prominent local company and longtime sponsor of the Sky Sox.
Along with baseball games, Security Service Field sometimes plays home to local concerts. Security Service Field is also the part-time home of the amateur soccer club Colorado Springs Blizzard
Colorado Springs Blizzard
Colorado Springs Blizzard were an American soccer team, founded in 2004. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The Blizzard played...
of the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
. Security Service Field is owned by the Elmore Sports Group and managed by the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. The facility seats 8,500 for baseball, but the capacity can be expanded to 10,000 for other events.
Trivia
The names of some of the great players in Sky Sox history ring the upper deck. Known as the members of the Sky Sox Hall of Fame, they are Luis Medina (played 1988-1991), Sam HairstonSam Hairston
Samuel Harding Hairston is a former Negro League baseball and Major League Baseball player. He played for the Birmingham Black Barons and the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro Leagues and played part of one season with the Chicago White Sox as a catcher...
(played 1950-1956), Charlie Manuel
Charlie Manuel
Charles Fuqua Manuel, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder and current Major League Baseball manager of the Philadelphia Phillies...
(managed 1990-1992), Alan Cockrell
Alan Cockrell
Atlee Alan Cockrell is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder. Cockrell is an alumnus of Joplin, MO's now-closed Parkwood High School where he was a standout on their championship football, baseball, and basketball teams, and the University of Tennessee, where he was an all-American...
(played 1990, 1992, 1994-1996), Norm "Bulldog" Coleman (non-player who helped the Sky Sox succeed financially, inducted 1996), Ryan Hawblitzel
Ryan Hawblitzel
Ryan Wade Hawblitzel is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher.Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 2nd round of the 1990 MLB amateur draft, Hawblitzel would make his Major League Baseball debut with the Colorado Rockies on June 9, 1996, and appeared in his final game on August 5,...
(played 1993-1996), Trenidad Hubbard
Trenidad Hubbard
Trenidad Aviel Hubbard is a former Major League Baseball journeyman outfielder. He is an alumnus of Southern University and A&M College....
(played 1993-1996), and Brad Mills (managed 1993-1996).
At 6,531 feet above sea level, Security Service Field is at a higher elevation than any other professional baseball park in North America. The stadium faces east, toward the plains and the Springs Ranch housing development, meaning that fans cannot see the Rocky Mountains to the west. This is due to the fact the sun sets over the mountains and would be a distraction to batters if the stadium faced west.
At the end of the right field foul line, there is a raised deck in foul territory. On the deck is a hot tub, from which up to eight fans can watch the game.