An intimate experience at 6,531 feet

by Marc Viquez
Published on July 8, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Colorado Springs Sky Sox


The last time I visited Security Service Field nine years ago, it seemed as if the stadium was in the middle of nowhere, far removed from downtown Colorado Springs and the Rocky Mountains. However, upon a recent return, the area surrounding the stadium has blossom and the cozy little ballpark is now tucked in between various retail shops and restaurants. The home of the Pacific Coast League's Colorado Sky Sox is an interesting visit.

Sky Sox PR Director Mike Hobson spoke with me for an inning or two and was more than helpful in filling me on the history of the ballpark.

"The game here is an intimate experience for a AAA ballpark," stated Hobson.

I would have to agree with Hobson, since most AAA parks seem to be distancing themselves from their predecessors; the stadiums seem to be somewhere in between Triple A and Major League Baseball-perhaps a AAAA branding should be attached to them

I was not expecting much from my visit, but as I walked around the concourse and spoke to a few patrons I began to appreciate the little park; it sort of hearken me back to a time when minor league ballparks were plain and modest. A period when luxury box seats were absent, aluminum seats were abundant, concessions stands petite and concourses were cramped and crowded.

(I would like to say that Security Service Field was none of that, but it was a closer resemblance to many of the ballparks I remember visiting in the early 1990s.)

The stadium's original name, Sky Sox Stadium, opened in 1988 for $3.7 million through private funds and fourteen years later another $8 million more of private funds were pumped in for renovations that saw the replacement of box seats, improved playing surface and exterior fencing and the construction of the Coors Terrace: featuring an indoor banquet hall that is use year round.

Security Service FieldThe majority of the parks' 8,500 seats are nestled between first and third base, while the rest lay on the grass berm down the leftfield line or in the Coors Terrace. There are also an array of ballpark food that ranges from bacon wrapped hot dogs, funnel cake fries, parmesan garlic fries and a junkyard burger. You could also wash all of it down with a microbrew beer from either Rocky Mountain Brewery or Bristol Brewery

I was disappointed that I did not have a spacious view of the Rocky Mountains beyond the outfield walls-instead a humdrum view of the Spring Ranch Housing complex. The Sky Sox were able to show a glimpse of the Rockies with a colorful mountain themed scoreboard in left field. There are an abundance of retail shops surrounding the ballpark. I do not think taking in a game and doing a little shopping would be hard to do and there is a great Hawaiian BBQ restaurant just up the road.

There are a lot of outdoor activities in Colorado Springs and I was told that it was one of the fittest cities in the nation. There are mountains to hike, trails to walk and bike and rivers to raft; a Sox game might take a back seat in this transient community.

However, fans do get a first glimpse of future Colorado Rockies' players who are sharpening their skills for the Sox and there are plenty of special priced promotions to lure fans into the gates during the season. The promotions include fifty-cent hot dogs on Sundays, kids eating free on Mondays, $2 drink and ticket specials on Tuesdays and live music and drink specials on Thursdays.

There are fancier ballpark palaces in the PCL and they offer a much different experience; one day parks like the one here in Colorado Springs will become either a rarity or obsolete in this high caliber of a league. There have been nine ballparks built or renovated in the Pacific Coast League within the last twenty-years and each new design: they get a little bigger, brighter and bolder.

Security Service Field will stand out as a little different ballpark in the league, a privately funded ballpark that continues to serve the area with AAA baseball.

Fun Facts

The first ever hot tub to appear at a minor league ballpark was in Colorado Springs in 1994. The story was picked up by the national media: paving the way for future parks such as Chase Field, Phoenix; GCS Field, Sauget, Ill.; and Regency Furniture Stadium, Waldorf, Md.; to include a pool or hot tub.

Security Service Field stands at 6,531 feet (less than 1.5 miles) above sea level, making it the highest professional ballpark in the United States. Foro Sol Ballpark in Mexico City is the highest in North America.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 8, 2009


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