GERING, NE – Entering the collegiate wood bat summer baseball landscape in 2025 is the Front Range League (FRL). The FRL will begin with teams based in Colorado and Nebraska but as the league expands, teams from other regions will be announced.
The Front Range League is a 501(c)6 non-profit corporation, operated by a Board of Directors representing each team, and led by League President Chuck Heeman (Western Nebraska Pioneers) and Vice-President Preston Munsch (Fort Collins Foxes).
Heeman explained, “The Front Range League was born from extensive discussions about creating a league that truly benefits everyone, especially our players. Our aim is to establish a league that college coaches think of first when placing players. With a foundation built on summer baseball tradition, our league brings together experienced owners and teams. By leveraging the expertise of each team, we’ve crafted a league designed to excite players, coaches, fans, and sponsors alike.”
The Front Range League will host an All-Star Game and Festival, featuring a Home Run Derby, on July 7-8 in Gering, Nebraska, at the scenic Oregon Trail Park Stadium, home of the Western Nebraska Pioneers. Additionally, the league will feature a four-team Championship Playoff Series from August 1-3 at City Park in Fort Collins, Colorado, home of the Fort Collins Foxes. A complete schedule will be released in early 2025, with the season set to begin on May 27, 2025.
The founding teams of the Front Range League are:
Boulder Collegians, Boulder, CO
The Boulder Collegians are among the most accomplished summer college baseball teams in the nation. Since their debut in 1964, they have enjoyed remarkable success. Between 1965 and 1980, the Collegians secured four national championships, were runners-up once, and achieved eight other top-five finishes. The team boasts an impressive roster of alumni, including Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, World Series hero Joe Carter, National League Rookie of the Year Bob Horner, and World Series managers Joe Maddon and Terry Francona, among over 100 former Collegians who have made it to the major leagues. Since taking over in 2020, Tony Rouco has guided the team to four consecutive Mile High League championships (2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024).
Colorado Springs Outlaws, Colorado Springs, CO
Outlaws owner Andy Swenson is bringing collegiate summer ball back to Colorado Springs. Swenson comes to the Front Range League with nearly 30 years of scouting, coaching and sports administration experience. He serves as the Commissioner of the Intermountain Collegiate League, based in Idaho, and owns two teams in the American Basketball Association. The Colorado Springs team will announce their home field, coach and more details in the coming weeks.
Fort Collins Foxes, Fort Collins, CO
Since 2005, the Fort Collins Foxes have been a cherished part of the local community. Their impressive history includes four league championships (2005, 2007, 2012, 2019) and features notable players like current Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt. In 2023, the team was acquired by Ken and Preston Munsch, and they played their first season under new ownership in 2024. The Foxes made a strong showing, finishing 3rd in the Rocky Mountain Baseball League, seeing several players break long-standing team records. The organization is dedicated to creating a family friendly baseball experience for fans, players, and coaches alike. They play at the historic City Park, renowned as one of Colorado’s most picturesque ballparks. The team is led by Head Coach Joseph Bergen (Gateway Community College) and Assistant Head Coach Matthew Mitchell (Scottsdale Community College).
Greeley Grays, Greeley, CO
The Greeley Grays are a historic baseball team, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025, with deep roots in Colorado, emerging from the sugar beet fields. Formed in 1925 by Hispanic workers, the Grays initially played against other teams of farm workers. Their popularity grew, and they became a symbol of unity, with players from diverse backgrounds. The team’s legacy extends beyond baseball, representing a significant chapter in the state’s Latino history and serving as a reminder of the power of sports to bring people together. By 1969, the Grays folded in part because of the Vietnam War and its draft. Gil Carbajal, who played for the Grays from 1952-68, restarted the Greeley Grays in 2005 as a collegiate summer team playing in the Mile High Collegiate Baseball League. In 2010, 2012 and 2014 the Grays qualified for the NBC World Series tournament, finishing 5th in 2014. The Grays were inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame archives in Cooperstown, New York on June 30th, 2013.
Spradley Collegians, Pueblo, CO
The Pueblo “Spradley” Collegians are a storied college-aged baseball team with a rich tradition. For decades, the team has been dedicated to supporting local players by offering them opportunities to advance their skills in a competitive yet respectful environment. They play most of their home games at historic Runyon Sports Complex on Hobbs Field, formerly the home of the Western Professional Baseball League’s Pueblo Dodgers. Our vibrant baseball community in Pueblo thrives thanks to the unwavering support of our players and their families.
Western Nebraska Pioneers, Gering, Nebraska
Beginning play in 2018, the Pioneers start their eighth season with two Championships and four playoff appearances in their first seven seasons. Under the ownership of Mayra and Chuck Heeman, the team has drawn an average of 1,050 fans per game at the picturesque Oregon Trail Park Stadium. Committed to community service and boosting tourism in Nebraska’s Panhandle, the Pioneers are led by Head Coach Easton Babe from Arizona Christian University.
“These teams are committed to great players, sponsors, staff and fan treatment, building community assets and great baseball”, Heeman said. “As we continue to build the Front Range League, we are seeking like-minded operators and investors who are committed to excellence to apply to join us as we build what will quickly become one of the premier summer collegiate leagues in North America.”
