Pioneer League: Jackalopes to relocate

The Jackalopes are on the move, according to a Monday release from the Pioneer Baseball League that reports the Grand Junction, Colorado franchise will relocate ahead of the 2026 season.

No landing spot was announced for the Jackalopes, a franchise that was once centered in Butte and called the Copper Kings from 1978-85 and 1987-2000. 

“I am greatly saddened to make this announcement,” PBL president Mike Shapiro said in the statement. “I know it’s very disappointing for the team’s many fans in the Grand Valley, but after making sincere efforts to keep the team in Grand Junction, it unfortunately didn’t work out as hoped. The PBL will announce shortly where the team will relocate for the 2026 season.” 

The franchise entered the then Rookie-Advanced Pioneer League in 1978 as the Copper Kings and won the Pioneer League championship in 1981 as an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The second title came in 2022, the second year the PBL was an MLB “Partner League.” The Rockies rebranded as the Jackalopes in 2021. 

In between the franchise changed affiliations (Texas Rangers, Anaheim Angels) and then moved to Casper, Wyoming in 2001 as an affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. Grand Junction became home in 2011.  

Among the more successful franchise alumni are Cecil Fielder, Ubaldo Jimenez, Trevor Story, Bump Wills and Nolan Arenado. 

The Jackalopes went 41-55 this season. 

“The Pioneer League remains baseball’s foremost player development league and provides extraordinary, affordable fan experiences in all our local communities,” Shapiro said. “Over this historic season, we attracted over 1 million fans to our charming ballparks throughout the Mountain States and California, and we look forward to introducing our exciting and fun brand of baseball to new communities over the next few years.”