Bill Text: VA HR107 | 2020 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending the Pulaski Yankees.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2020-03-02 - Bill text as passed House (HR107ER) [HR107 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-HR107-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the Pulaski Yankees, a Rookie Advanced team in the Appalachian League, which became a farm team of the New York Yankees franchise in 2015 and plays its home games at the historic Calfee Park, won Minor League Baseball's top honor in 2019; and
WHEREAS, the Pulaski Yankees are the recipients of the 46th annual John H. Johnson President's Award, which has been presented since 1974 to honor baseball franchises for their financial stability, contributions to league stability, support of baseball in the community, and promotion of the baseball industry; and
WHEREAS, the receipt of the John H. Johnson President's Award by the Pulaski Yankees is a first in the team's history, as well as in the history of the entire Appalachian League; and
WHEREAS, attendance at the Pulaski Yankees games has grown over five years under the ownership of David Hagan and Larry Shelor, heads of Christiansburg-based Shelor Automotive Group; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, David Hagan took over management of the Pulaski Yankees and historic Calfee Park from the Town of Pulaski, beginning a series of upgrades to the facility to ensure the future of professional baseball in Pulaski and the surrounding New River Valley; and
WHEREAS, these improvements included a renovated home team clubhouse; a new visiting team clubhouse, concessions stand, press box, 35-foot-by-22-foot video board, Bermuda grass playing field, irrigation and drainage system, scoreboard, box seats, and home offices for park employees; upgraded seating; additional parking; and an expanded upper concourse with a three-tiered party deck, increasing the stadium's capacity to 3,200 people; and
WHEREAS, the Pulaski Yankees boast a roster of over 200 corporate partners in a town with 9,000 residents, which has allowed for small businesses and large companies to show their support for Pulaski as a destination location for summertime enjoyment and excitement; and
WHEREAS, the Pulaski Yankees held record-breaking attendance numbers for the entire Appalachian League for the past two seasons and are poised to have great turnout for years to come; and
WHEREAS, in the spring of 2019, the Pulaski Yankees introduced #CalfeeCares, a mission organization that has made it a priority to give back to the fans and businesses in Pulaski and the New River Valley that help support the organization and its ballpark; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Pulaski Yankees hereby be commended on being named the best minor league baseball franchise in the country with its receipt of the 46th John H. Johnson President's Award; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare copies of this resolution for presentation to Larry Shelor, David Hagen, the Pulaski Yankees, and the Town of Pulaski as an expression of the General Assembly's appreciation of the Pulaski County Yankees for providing another special reason to visit Southwest Virginia and promoting Pulaski as a destination location of the Commonwealth.
