Colorado Springs feels the Vibes
It's a Rocky Mountain plot twist.When Colorado Springs' new Rookie-level team announced its "Name the Team" contest this past July, the five finalists were Happy Campers, Lamb Chops, Punchy Pikas, Throttle Jockeys and Rocky Mountain Oysters. Which one did they pick?
It's a Rocky Mountain plot twist.
When Colorado Springs' new Rookie-level team announced its "Name the Team" contest this past July, the five finalists were Happy Campers, Lamb Chops, Punchy Pikas, Throttle Jockeys and Rocky Mountain Oysters. Which one did they pick?
None of the above. It's the Rocky Mountain Vibes.
The Rocky Mountain Vibes' name and logos were unveiled during a ballpark event at Security Service Field on Monday afternoon. The Vibes, a Milwaukee Brewers affiliate, are replacing the Helena Brewers in the short-season Pioneer League. In a corresponding move, the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox relocated to San Antonio following the 2018 season, freeing up the Vibes to play at the Sky Sox's former home. San Antonio's Double-A team, meanwhile, shifted to Amarillo, which last week unveiled its Sod Poodles identity. All three teams -- Colorado Springs, San Antonio and Amarillo -- are owned by the Elmore Sports ownership group.
Shop for Vibes gear »
At Monday's unveiling, the team briefly faked out the crowd by leading them to believe that the team would be named the Rocky Mountain Oysters. But the Vibes name has no association with this polarizing organ meat delicacy. Instead, it's an offshoot of brainstorming sessions related to the proposed Happy Campers moniker.
"Colorado is a super-transient state, so many people are from somewhere else," said Vibes general manager Chris Phillips. "You hear things like, 'When I moved here, I was such a happy camper.' It's not so much about camping as it is a state of mind. The people who live out here, whether they're camping or hiking with their family or walking the dog or having a beer with a buddy, they're happy campers.
"But what makes the people here happy campers?" he continued. "It's the outdoors, the sunshine, that feeling you get when you live here in Colorado. So what's that feeling? How do you describe that?"
And thus, a name was born. It's those Rocky Mountain Vibes.
"We came to the realization that we didn't want to be a thing, didn't want to be an animal," said Phillips. "Being an attitude, a feeling, an emotion, that allows us to do a million different things. The possibilities are limitless. When you have that word, it means a number of different things to different people at different times of day."
Based on the multitude of possibilities, Phillips said the team will "figure out ways to incorporate the name into theming out different parts of the ballpark." One such area will feature fire pits so that fans can make their own s'mores, as this campfire treat is a conspicuous aspect of the Vibes' overall branding. The main logo features "Vibes" spelled out in flames over a stick, while another prominent logo features a flaming, anthropomorphic, sunglasses-wearing s'more named Toasty Vibes.
Toasty Vibes, whom Phillips referred to as the "s'more I want to hang out with," will also serve as a mascot.
Vibes president and general manager Chris Phillips announces his team's new Pioneer League identity. (Bobby Stevens/MiLB.com)
Marshmallows factor into two additional Vibes logos. One spells out "CS" for Colorado Springs with the "C" represented by a bitten marshmallow and the "S" depicted within the flames roasting the marshmallow. The other showcases a "C" depicted in the style of the Colorado state flag. The team's logos were designed by Brandiose, the San Diego-based firm responsible for the recently unveiled Rocket City Trash Pandas and the aformentioned Amarillo Sod Poodles.
The state flag alternate logo and the overall "Rocky Mountain" branding highlight a larger strategy for the team, which is to appeal to fans beyond the confines of Colorado Springs.
"We want people in Boulder to see this and say, 'Dude, that's awesome,'" said Phillips. "And we're an hour from Denver, and we want this to be a big hit in Denver. And 'Rocky Mountain,' in general, it just rolls off the tongue a lot better. But we'll still obviously do everything we're currently doing in the community, and probably more so."
The unveiling of the Rocky Mountain Vibes identity follows a trying time for professional baseball in Colorado Springs. The Sky Sox lost their longtime affiliation with the Colorado Rockies in 2014, which was followed three years later by the relocation of the franchise. But now, a new era has officially begun.
"This is the first time we've been able to share good, fun, positive news in a while," said Phillips. "We're excited for a clean slate, to start from scratch, building a brand from the ground up and having fun with it."
(Photos by Bobby Stevens/MiLB.com)
Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes Ben's Biz Blog. Follow Ben on Twitter.
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two
Rox young sluggers aim to bring pop back to Coors Field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs
Astros brass sees potential in consistently 'underranked' farm system
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than
Complete results and highlights from Spring Breakout
The second edition of MLB Spring Breakout is complete, and there was no shortage of highlights from the future stars of Major League Baseball over the four-day showcase. Here's a complete breakdown of the 16-game exhibition:
Southpaw Spring Breakout: White Sox future on display with Schultz, Smith
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If all goes as planned for the White Sox, left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz won’t spend much time following each other to the mound in a single game. Schultz, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and Smith, who is
In first pro game, Rainer offers pop, promise to Tigers fans
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Bryce Rainer’s pro career consisted of workouts and batting practice until Sunday.
'Me and Brady on the dirt again': House, King reunite at Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2025 Spring Breakout was a flashback for Brady House and Seaver King. Over 10 years ago, the infielders were travel ball teammates in Georgia who shared the dream of making it to the Major Leagues. Now, they are top prospects in the same organization,
Lambert -- 'an adrenaline guy' -- hoping to be next Mets bullpen gem
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Lambert loves throwing hard. He relishes the idea of getting to two strikes and blowing hitters away. “Get me in a game,” Lambert said, “cool things will happen.”
Stewart embraces Spring Breakout: 'What's not to love?'
PHOENIX -- Sal Stewart was one fired-up Reds prospect. On Sunday in the first inning during the organization's 9-7 Spring Breakout win over Brewers prospects, Stewart lifted a 2-2 pitch that sailed over the center fielder's head to the wall. Already not known as a speedster, he stumbled running between
Prospect Peña quietly drawing raves in Brewers' farm system
PHOENIX – Jesús Made was at the top of the Brewers’ lineup for Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Reds in the finale of MLB’s four-day Spring Breakout, a fitting perch when you consider that the 17-year-old infielder is under a bright spotlight as MLB Pipeline’s No. 55 prospect. Made could
Brecht -- in 1st outing since '24 Draft -- wows at Spring Breakout
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Sunday's Spring Breakout showcase was the perfect unveiling for Rockies No. 5 prospect Brody Brecht. A right-handed pitcher from the University of Iowa whom the Rockies selected 38th overall last summer, Brecht had a nice collegiate resume, an interesting backstory as a former wide receiver for the
Braves prospects show promise in Spring Breakout
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have
Yanks' Lagrange flashes triple-digit heat in Spring Breakout
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There was an audible “Ooh” from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, and Carlos Lagrange quickly glanced beyond the right-field wall, checking the velocity of the pitch he’d just thrown in Saturday’s 5-4 Spring Breakout loss to the Orioles. It had registered in the triple digits, and
Bradfield dedicates Spring Breakout performance to late friend
SARASOTA, Fla. -- It was about more than playing in the national spotlight. More than the dinner bet placed with an old college teammate earlier in the month. More than a game. As Enrique Bradfield Jr. slid home to score a run during the first inning of Saturday night’s Spring
'Hungry' Alcántara hoping to pounce on big league prey in '25
MESA, Ariz. -- The thing about jaguars is, you don’t want to see one when it’s hungry. So when Cubs legend Sammy Sosa spoke to the organization’s No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline -- and the No. 89 prospect overall -- the former slugger gave him some apt advice. “His
Rainiers broadcaster Pay talks historic role on MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Prospect Santos 'electric' in Spring Breakout start
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Malcolm Moore knew Winston Santos was locked in before he even threw a pitch. In the second annual Spring Breakout game, Santos -- the Rangers’ No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline -- was throwing to Moore, the Rangers’ No. 4 prospect and highest-ranked catcher. The battery more
Switch-pitcher Cijntje deals from both sides in Spring Breakout
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Jurrangelo Cijntje knew who’d be waiting for him in the batter’s box when he emerged from the visiting bullpen on Friday evening. The Mariners’ switch-pitcher had seen Guardians infielder Travis Bazzana recently at a card-signing event, to which they each joked, “I’m going to see you soon,”
Fans in this Minor League town are hungry for ... the Spicy Meatballs?!?
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Chandler adds mix to upper-90s heat in stellar Spring Breakout start
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- In the inaugural Spring Breakout game a year ago, as he was coming out to pitch the ninth inning, Bubba Chandler slammed a Red Bull and declared “let’s do this” before pumping upper-90s heat.