With the exception of returning hitting coach Alan Cockrell, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox are taking on a new look for the 2006 season.
Tom Runnells, once a fixture in Colorado baseball, will manage a young Sky Sox team, replacing Marv Foley, who has moved to another position in the parent Rockies organization.
Chuck Kniffin is the pitching coach, replacing Bob McClure, who was hired by the Kansas City Royals. Cockrell returns for his fourth season as hitting coach for the Rockies’ Triple-A affiliate in the Pacific Coast League.
“This will be my first time in baseball in Colorado since 1986, when I played for the Denver Zephyrs,” Runnells said. “I’ve never been at Sky Sox Stadium, and I’m excited to get up there and see it.”
Runnells and the Sky Sox break camp in Arizona on Sunday and will open the season Thursday at Tacoma. The Sky Sox open their home schedule April 14 against Tucson.
Runnells breaks camp with some unsettled roster spots. Outfielder Jeff Salazar and first baseman Ryan Shealy, both of whom had playing time in Colorado Springs last year, have been injured this spring and could be out of action when the season starts.
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
