The San Antonio Missions announced Wednesday that they will move up to the AAA Pacific Coast League in the 2019 season.
The Elmore Sports Group, owner of the Missions, intends to move its AAA franchise from Colorado Springs, Colo., to San Antonio and send the AA franchise currently playing in San Antonio to a new ballpark in Amarillo.
The Missions name will stay in San Antonio as part of the franchise swap. Colorado Springs will become home of a rookie-level team currently playing Montana.
The San Antonio Missions have played for 112 seasons in the Alamo City.
"Congratulations to the San Antonio Missions for advancing to Triple-A", Mayor-elect Ron Nirenberg said. "San Antonio has a long and rich history, and this move takes us to the next level."
The Pacific Coast League is one level of play from the Major Leagues. In addition to playing new cities like Las Vegas, Nashville, New Orleans, Memphis, Sacramento, Salt Lake City and Oklahoma City, the Triple-A Missions will be able to renew rivalries with the Texas cities of Austin/Round Rock and El Paso.
Initially, the Triple-A Missions will continue to play their home games at Nelson Wolff Stadium.
"While we have not yet determined what the specific baseball stadium needs are to advance to Triple-A, nor have we secured private sector development partners or a stadium development plan, we will begin that process immediately," team president Burl Yarbrough said.
