Colorado Springs – The man behind the fun at Sky Sox games, the enthusiastic personality who launches T-shirts with a slingshot and shakes his booty with the team mascot, is hurting.
Rai Henniger, 47, the Sky Sox’s vice president of marketing and promotions, was placing a commercial-grade fireworks shell in a cylinder about 3 p.m. Saturday – two hours before game time – when the mortar exploded, said Colorado Springs Fire Lt. Julie Stone. The husband and father of three children is in serious condition with facial injuries at Denver Health Medical Center.
Stone said investigators were trying to talk to the fireworks manufacturer, and it would be at least until the end of the week before officials know what went wrong.
“He really is the face of the Sky Sox in terms of what he does. He’s on top of dugouts, he’s got a hand mike at the plate, he’s introducing kids or the national anthem or playing with the mascot on top of the dugout,” said Mike Moran, who works for Colorado Springs Sports Corp. “He’s a wonderful human being. He’s a treasure in the community as is the Sky Sox.”
Henniger, a certified pyrotechnician, owns a fireworks company, Grand Finale Fireworks. The company is under contract with the Sky Sox to launch the big-boom-style fireworks after “The Star-Spangled Banner” and home runs, and to present Friday Night Fireworks.
Mike Hobson, a spokesman for the Sky Sox, said the team has the proper permits with the city and Henniger is up to date on all his licenses and training.
Henniger, who joined the Sky Sox in 1990, was hired by Fred Whitacre, the founding president and general manager of the minor league baseball team that came to Colorado Springs from Hawaii in 1988. Henniger, who had previously worked with Whitacre and the Hawaii Islanders, is the only member of the original staff still with the Sky Sox.
“He’s the voice of the Sky Sox in the community and at the ballpark, and when you’re drawing 250,000 people or more a year, there are an awful lot of people out there that care about what happens to the Sky Sox and to him,” Whitacre said.
Ken Young, a longtime Sky Sox fan, felt heartsick when he heard about the accident.
“Our prayers are with him,” Young said. “We hope to see him soon. We hope for a speedy recovery and hope he gets back to work soon. The fans need him.”
Correspondence can be sent to the Sky Sox office in care of the Henniger family, 4385 Tutt Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80922.
Staff writer Erin Emery can be reached at 719-522-1360 or eemery@denverpost.com.
