Calgary Vipers Tickets

The Calgary Vipers were a minor league baseball team based in the city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They played in the Northern League, an independent professional league that was not affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB).

The Vipers' roots can be traced back to 1985 when they were founded as the Salt Lake Trappers. The team enjoyed tremendous success in their early years, winning five Pioneer League championships from 1986 to 1992. In 2004, the Trappers relocated to Canada and became the Calgary Vipers.

The Vipers played their home games at Foothills Stadium, a 6,000-seat facility located in the western part of the city. Over the years, the team attracted a loyal following, thanks in large part to the affordable family entertainment their games provided.

During their time in the Northern League, the Vipers faced off against other independent teams from across North America, including the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, Sioux Falls Canaries, and Winnipeg Goldeyes. The league was known for its high level of play and often drew former MLB players looking to extend their careers or younger players trying to make a name for themselves.

The Vipers had some success on the field, making the playoffs in their second season in Calgary and reaching the Northern League championship series twice. However, their biggest claim to fame came in 2008 when they signed Jose Canseco, a controversial figure who had been banned from MLB for his involvement in performance-enhancing drugs. Canseco played in just 20 games for the Vipers but still made headlines and drew large crowds wherever he went.

Unfortunately, financial difficulties plagued the Vipers in their later years. The team's ownership also owned several car dealerships, which were hit hard by the economic recession of the late 2000s. The Vipers folded after the 2011 season, leaving a void in Calgary's baseball landscape.

Despite their relatively short existence, the Calgary Vipers were an important part of minor league baseball in Canada. They helped showcase the sport's popularity in a country that is often overshadowed by its southern neighbor and provided opportunities for players to continue their careers outside of the confines of MLB. Though they may be gone, the memories of the Vipers will live on among the fans who cheered them on at Foothills Stadium.