Security Service Field

Security Service Field
Location	4385 Tutt Boulevard Colorado Springs, CO 80922
Broke ground	January 10, 1988[1]
Opened	June 18, 1988[2]
Owner	Elmore Sports Group
Operator	Elmore Sports Group
Surface	Grass
Construction cost	$3,700,000 ($7.3 million in 2014 dollars[ 1])
Architect	HNTB[2]
General contractor	Bassett Construction Company
Capacity	8,500
Field dimensions	Left Field: 350 feet (107 m) Left-Center Field: 385 feet (117 m) Center Field: 410 feet (125 m) Right-Center Field: 385 feet (117 m) Right Field: 350 feet (107 m)
Tenants
Colorado Springs Sky Sox (1988-present)

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.

History

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,^[3] 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.

The current attendance record was set on July 4, 2004 when the Sky Sox lost to the Omaha Royals 6 to 5 in front of 9,505 fans.^[4]

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 Hairston (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), Trinidad Hubbard (played 1993-1996), and Brad Mills (managed 1993-1996). All historical players have their jerseys retired and statistics shown in the Hall of Fame Bar & Grill located within Security Service Field.

Security Service Field is 6,531 feet above sea level, making it the highest professional baseball park in North America.^[5] 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.

Covering most of the first base line is the Coors VIP Picnic Terrace. It holds nearly a thousand people and is the site of many weddings and other special occasions. At the end of the right field foul line, there is a historic eight person hot tub that is recognized as "THE HIGHEST HOT TUB IN PROFESSIONAL SPORTS". Guests are served champagne and acknowledged on the main display.

References

External links

• Security Service Field | Colorado Springs Sky Sox
• Security Service Field Views - Ball Parks of the Minor Leagues

Coordinates: 38°53′39.02″N 104°42′37.12″W / 38.8941722°N 104.7103111°W / 38.8941722; -104.7103111