By. Justin Willis

THE FALL OF THE JACKALOPES

Who are the Jackalopes?

A baseball player wearing a black helmet and uniform with the word 'Jacks' on it runs along the baseline during a game at a stadium with empty seating.

Baseball player wearing a black Rawlings helmet, white jersey with purple lettering, standing against a dark night sky with bright light flare.

A person dressed in a sports uniform, sitting on a bench in a sports locker room, holding a towel and resting with their head tilted down.

The Jackalopes are currently the only standing professional team in the City of Grand Junction, Colorado.

A circular emblem for the Colorado Idaho Montana Utah District with text around the outer edge, a banner with 'ESTD. 1939', and a stylized letter 'P' in the center.

The Jackalopes finished dead last in the Pioneer League rankings. Finishing at 37 - 58 and only wining four of the last ten games.

The season in review

Even though last season wasn’t what they wanted it wasn’t all bad for some of the players and the memories shared with the fans.

What’s Next?

They are seemingly on the way out after having multiple lackluster seasons and poor fan attendance. The team is also suffering from financial struggles and sought help from the city.

Two baseball players in white uniforms running on the field, one ahead of the other, with a dugout and a sign in the background.

Two men wearing baseball caps and T-shirts stand outdoors at night, with bright light and colorful reflections in the dark sky.

A man standing on a baseball field, holding a baseball glove raised above his head, smiling. He is wearing a dark shirt, dark pants, and sneakers, with stadium lights and a modern building in the background.

Mike Tolin

“As the only professional sports team in the community, it would be tragic to see us leave,” Tollin said.

Person with a cap sitting on the ground, facing fireworks in the night sky, with some other people around, watching the display.

Mike Shapiro

“Mike has suffered significant losses this year,” Sharpiro said. “From the league’s perspective, it’s unsustainable. A team has to, at the very least, break even.”

Scott Beilfuss

“If someone in the community wants to pick up the $100,000 bill and put their name on the team, I’m sure the doors are open. But we don’t have that kind of money in town anymore,”

A baseball player is preparing to hit, wearing a purple jersey, white pants, a blue cap with a white 'P', and sunglasses, against a cloudy sky at a baseball stadium.

Three men in baseball jerseys are celebrating at a sports event. The man in the foreground wears a black jersey with purple and blue accents, a blue cap, and sunglasses, and is smiling. The man on the left wears a black jersey and is holding a baseball cap, smiling in the background. The man on the right wears a black jersey with purple accents, is smiling, and is slightly to the right.

Enjoy it while you can…

It’s a shame that this is what has come of the Jackalopes. Anyone who has never been to a game should go to at least one if they have a chance. If this team leaves next year it will leave a hole similar to the Seattle Supersonics.

A baseball field at night with a mascot, a man, and a woman running on the track near the outfield fence. The mascot is a large animal with antlers wearing a jersey with the word 'Jakes.' The scoreboard displays 'VIBES' and 'JACK'S' with the score '13-1' and the inning '13.'