{{Short description|Baseball park in the western United States}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox venue | name = blocktickets PARK | nickname = | logo_image = | logo_size = | image = 250px 250px | address = 4385 Tutt Boulevard | city = Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S. | coordinates = {{coord|38|53|39.02|N|104|42|37.12|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|display=inline,title}} | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 10 | pushpin_map = Colorado#USA | pushpin_map_caption = | pushpin_mapsize = 240 | pushpin_label = Colorado Springs | pushpin_relief = yes | elevation = {{cvt|6531|ft}} | broke_ground = January 10, 1988{{Citation needed|date=April 2018}} | built = | opened = {{start date and age|1988|6|18|br=y}}<ref name="bbp">{{cite web|title=Security Service Field – Colorado Springs Sky Sox|first=Graham|last=Knight|url=http://www.baseballpilgrimages.com/AAA/coloradosprings.html|work=Baseball Pilgrimages|date=August 9, 2009|access-date=September 22, 2011|archive-date=September 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917184526/http://www.baseballpilgrimages.com/AAA/coloradosprings.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | closed = | demolished = | owner = Elmore Sports Group | operator = Elmore Sports Group | surface = Natural grass | construction_cost = US$3.4 million<ref name="bbp" /><br>(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|3700000|1988}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}}) | architect = HNTB<ref name="bbp" /> | general_contractor = Bassett Construction Company<ref>{{cite web|title=Bassett Construction Company Facts Sheet|url=http://bassettconstruction.net/background%20info.pdf|publisher=Bassett Construction Company|access-date=September 22, 2011|archive-date=December 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203105209/http://www.bassettconstruction.net/background%20info.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> | tenants = Colorado Springs Sky Sox (PCL) 1988–2018<br>Rocky Mountain Vibes (PL) 2019&ndash;2025<br>Colorado Springs Sky Sox (PL) 2025 | seating_capacity = 8,500<ref>{{cite book |section=Colorado Springs Sky Sox |title=2017 Pacific Coast League Sketch & Record Book |publisher=Minor League Baseball |year=2017 |page=13}}</ref> | former_names = Sky Sox Stadium (1988–2005)<br>Security Service Field (2005–2019)<br>UCHealth Park (2019–2025) | record_attendance = 9,505 (July 4, 2004) | dimensions = '''Left field:''' {{Convert|350|ft|m|0}}<br>'''Left-center field:''' {{Convert|385|ft|m|0}}<br>'''Center field:''' {{Convert|410|ft|m|0}}<br>'''Right-center field:''' {{Convert|385|ft|m|0}}<br>'''Right field:''' {{Convert|350|ft|m|0}} }}

'''Blocktickets Park''', styled as '''blocktickets PARK''', is a baseball park in the western United States, on the eastern edge of Colorado Springs, Colorado. From 2019 to 2025, the stadium hosted the Rocky Mountain Vibes, an independent minor league team in the Pioneer League, and from 1988 to 2018, it was the home of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, a Triple-A team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL).

==History== Before the completion of Sky Sox Stadium, the Sky Sox played at Spurgeon Stadium, a public field at Memorial Park in downtown Colorado Springs which had hosted the original Sky Sox. Sky Sox Stadium opened in June 1988 at a cost of $3.4 million,<ref name="bbp" /> and remained the home of the Sky Sox until their 2018 departure.<ref name="2BRenamed">{{cite news |last1=Spedden |first1=Zach |title=Security Service Field to be Renamed |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2019/04/17/security-service-field-to-be-renamed/ |access-date=April 19, 2019 |work=Ballpark Digest |publisher=August Publications |date=April 17, 2019 |archive-date=April 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419152054/https://ballparkdigest.com/2019/04/17/security-service-field-to-be-renamed/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The ballpark is {{convert|6531|ft}} above sea level, making it the highest professional baseball park in North America.<ref>{{cite web |title=Security Service Field: Context Matters |first=Dan |last=Fox |url=http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060711&content_id=104479&vkey=news_t551&fext=.jsp&sid=t551 |work=skysox.com |publisher=Minor League Baseball |date=July 11, 2006 |access-date=February 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302055415/http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060711&content_id=104479&vkey=news_t551&fext=.jsp&sid=t551 |archive-date=March 2, 2014}}</ref> The natural grass field is aligned southeast (home plate to second base), toward the plains and the Springs Ranch housing development, meaning that fans cannot see the Rocky Mountains to the west. The recommended ballpark alignment is northeast by east.

Covering most of the first base line is a picnic terrace. It holds nearly 1,000 people and is the site of many weddings and other special occasions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Coors VIP Picnic Terrace|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-8078108|website=skysox.com|publisher=Minor League Baseball|date=February 15, 2010|access-date=May 16, 2014|archive-date=May 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517114627/http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?sid=t551&ymd=20100215&content_id=8078108&vkey=team2|url-status=live}}</ref> At the end of the right field foul line, there is an eight-person hot tub that is recognized as "The Highest Hot Tub in Professional Sports", with guests served champagne and acknowledged on the main display.{{cn|date=July 2025}}

The Sky Sox won Pacific Coast League championships in 1992 and 1995, and attendance was generally good. The current attendance record was set on July 4, 2004, when the Sky Sox lost to the Omaha Royals, 6–5, in front of 9,505 fans.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sky Sox Strand 13, Lose in Front of Record Crowd|first=Danny|last=Summers|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-2759386.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611071119/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-2759386.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 11, 2014|newspaper=The Gazette (Colorado Springs)|date=July 5, 2004|access-date=May 23, 2012}}</ref> However, 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sky Sox Attendance Grows, but That Still Isn't Saying Much|first=Danny|last=Summers|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-2755716.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629072516/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-2755716.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 29, 2014|newspaper=The Gazette (Colorado Springs)|date=June 6, 2004|access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sky Sox Announce New Park Name, Renovation Plan |url=http://gazette.com/sky-sox-announce-new-park-name-renovation-plan/article/7463 |newspaper=The Gazette (Colorado Springs) |date=February 17, 2005 |access-date=May 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031816/https://gazette.com/sky-sox-announce-new-park-name-renovation-plan/article/7463/ |archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref>

Changes included an improved sound system, a more modern scoreboard with video screen,<ref>{{cite web|title=Sky Sox to Install Brand New Scoreboard|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3436872|work=Our Sports Central|date=March 14, 2007|access-date=February 20, 2014|archive-date=February 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227071134/http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3436872|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sky Sox Sell Stadium Name—Now It's Security Service Field |first=Danny |last=Summers |url=http://gazette.com/sky-sox-sell-stadium-name-now-its-security-service-field/article/7468 |newspaper=The Gazette (Colorado Springs) |date=February 18, 2005 |access-date=March 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310015816/http://gazette.com/sky-sox-sell-stadium-name-now-its-security-service-field/article/7468 |archive-date=March 10, 2014}}</ref> The naming rights deal expired after the 2018 season.<ref name="2BRenamed" />

On May 8, 2019, it was announced that UCHealth, as part of a sponsorship deal with the Vibes, had purchased the naming rights to the field, naming it UCHealth Park.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://gazette.com/thetribune/rocky-mountain-vibes-announce-uchealth-park-name-for-northern-colorado/article_a1d75674-6d22-11e9-a7e2-5b7f2ede0e9c.html |title=Rocky Mountain Vibes announce UCHealth Park name for northern Colorado Springs stadium |last=Summers |first=Danny |date=May 8, 2019 |work=The Gazette |access-date=May 8, 2019 |archive-date=May 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508190030/https://gazette.com/thetribune/rocky-mountain-vibes-announce-uchealth-park-name-for-northern-colorado/article_a1d75674-6d22-11e9-a7e2-5b7f2ede0e9c.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

At a press conference in May 2025, the Vibes announced a naming rights deal with Blocktickets, an online ticketing and box office solution platform.<ref>{{Cite press release |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Rocky Mountain Vibes and blocktickets Announce Naming Rights Partnership for blocktickets PARK |url=https://www.pioneerleague.com/sports/bsb/2025/releases/20250508k51jbb |language=en}}</ref> In June 2025, the Northern Colorado Owlz of the Pioneer League folded and were replaced with a team branded as the latest incarnation of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox and sharing Blocktickets Park (styled as blocktickets PARK) with the Rocky Mountain Vibes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kirk |first1=Alexander |title=Northern Colorado Owlz fold, replaced by Colorado Springs Sky Sox |url=https://www.9news.com/article/sports/baseball/colorado-springs-sky-sox-northern-colorado-owlz-baseball/73-bf21e20a-feae-408f-85d8-c7906b9f7628 |access-date=July 30, 2025 |publisher=KUSA (TV) |date=July 1, 2025}}</ref>

==Notable personnel== The names of various notable personnel 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), Trenidad 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 the ballpark.{{cn|date=July 2025}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} *[https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-45629 Security Service Field | Vibes] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20090524234543/http://www.littleballparks.com/Stadium/2005/Colorado_Springs/Colorado_Springs.htm Security Service Field – Ball Parks of the Minor Leagues | littleballparks.com] (archived)

Category:Sports venues in Colorado Springs, Colorado Category:Minor league baseball venues Category:Sports venues completed in 1988 Category:1988 establishments in Colorado Category:Baseball venues in Colorado