Meet the Grand Junction Jackalopes
November 4, 2022 – Pioneer League (PL) – Grand Junction Jackalopes News Release
GRAND JUNCTION, Colorado – Grand Junction professional baseball will
have an extra hop in its step in 2023, taking the field as the Grand Junction
Jackalopes!
“We had over 1,000 great submissions from the community.” Jackalopes
President Mick Ritter said. “Jackalopes stood out as an amusing and unique
name in professional baseball. I think we can have a lot of fun with it.”
The Jackalope is a mythical cross between a rabbit and an antelope or deer.
While not real, many jackalope “mounts” can be found across the Grand Valley.
Only able to mate during a lightning storm. Jackalopes are said to be fearsome,
and hunters are advised to armor their shins when trying to bag the elusive
beast.
“We were taken with the lore and character of this mythic creature.” Jackalopes
managing owner Mike Tollin said. “We think it’s a fresh, fun, and family-friendly
identity for our team.”
Jennifer Schmalz, a Grand Junction resident, submitted the idea of Jackalopes.
Through random number generation Jennifer was chosen as the winner of the
name submission contest. By happenstance, she was also the first person to
submit the name.
“I believe the name Jackalopes is creative, funny and represents Grand Junction
well,” Jennifer said. “As a Colorado native, you always hear about the elusive
Jackalope and people joking about hunting them, so I thought what a great
name that would be for a baseball team.”
When Future Legends LLC bought the Grand Junction Rockies on October 1st,
the team decided to undergo a rebrand.
“With the team being purchased by Future Legends and headed in a new
direction, it made sense for some new traditions and excitement.” Future
Legends founder Jeff Katofsky said.
Despite the change, the Grand Junction Jackalopes will continue as the Rockies
did, playing at Suplizio Field and in the MLB Partner Pioneer Baseball League.
The 2023 schedule was released earlier this week and can be found here. “We look forward to the Jackalopes defending our Pioneer League championship
in the upcoming season!” Tollin said.
About the Grand Junction Jackalopes
The Grand Junction Jackalopes are a proud member of the MLB Partner Pioneer
League. For more information, please visit www.gjrockies.com (soon to be gjjackalopes.com)
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