The Colorado Springs Sky Sox were braced for a season under the umbrella of a lackluster economy.

Too bad that umbrella couldn’t block some of the rain that has compounded issues.

“From a financial standpoint the season got off on a tough note weather-wise, which I think everybody in Colorado Springs recognizes,” Sky Sox general manager Tony Ensor said. “It was very cold and windy in April and May, and then June got here and it started raining, and I don’t think it stopped until about a week ago.”

Despite it all, Ensor said the Sky Sox have noticed only marginal changes in their business operation — most coming before the season started as advertisers were harder to find.

Attendance, down about 5 percent from last year’s record-breaking figures, has rebounded with the weather and may yet match the 2008 figures — an “amazing” feat according to Ensor, since the team has endured two postponed games because of rain, five that were suspended (including Monday’s game) and a handful of others that were delayed.

So how are they doing so well? Pacific Coast League president Branch Rickey said the success is a testament to the general minor-league business model of keeping costs cheaper than other entertainment options.

“Minor-league baseball really prides itself on the cleverness, the novelty, the efficiency, the attentiveness to the details,” said Rickey, a Springs resident. “But everyone has just had to be that little bit better, tighten things just a little bit more.”

That lesson hit home when the Memphis Redbirds, which Rickey described as a model organization, failed to make a $1.625 million bond payment early this season and defaulted on its loan.

The bond holders are now in a position to replace the management team.

The Sky Sox ownership group, the Elmore Sports Group, owns Security Service Field, so a similar bond issue won’t face the team. Still, assistant GM Michael Hobson said the team’s staff — each member is asked to chip in on tasks around the stadium, including rolling the tarp — vowed to do what it could to help in tough times.

“It’s just an attitude that we’re going to pull this off in the worst economy we may ever see,” Hobson said. “I don’t think we’ve totally changed our approach.”

Not changing the approach, as it turns out, is part of the strategy. The Sky Sox have stuck to their staple promotions like Fireworks Fridays and $2 Tuesdays, and even added a kids eat free promotion on Mondays after giving it a test run late last year. They also held ticket prices steady from last year.

“We’re not going to cut what we do for our fans,” Ensor said. “That’s just not what we’re about. And they’ve responded in turn by coming out in great numbers.”

COMPARING THE COSTS

The top competition for the Sky Sox is the Colorado outdoors, not the Colorado Rockies. Still, when baseball fans wants to see a game in this area they have a choice to make between the local Triple-A team or gassing up and driving 70 miles north for a big-league outing. These days more than ever that decision is likely based on money, so here’s a breakdown of the costs associated with taking a family of four to a Rockies game versus a night at Security Service Field. Note: Costs listed are the cheapest options we found. You can find more expensive options if your taste calls for it.Rockies Sky SoxParking* $11 $5Average ticket** 20 9Program 5 freePeanuts 3.75 4Hot dog 5.50 3Burger 6 6.75Cheese steak 6.50 7Bratwurst 5.50 4.75Beer 6.50/21 oz. 6.75/24 ozSoda 4 4.25Lil’ souvenir bat 10 5.50Hat 20 18Foam finger 9 5* Parking costs can be what you make them, depending on your willingness to walk. The prices listed are the least expensive team-owned lots.** Rockies ticket price is average listed by Forbes

Sky Sox fans and players were pummeled on Monday with rain and large hail from a storm while they were playing the Memphis Redbirds at Security Service Field. The game was suspended until 5 p.m. Tuesday. Photo by Bryan Oller