Appalachian League announces 2021 executive awards
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League today announced its end-of-year awards for the 2021 season. Executive of the Year—Kat Foster, Greeneville Flyboys Kat Foster, general manager of the Greeneville Flyboys, has been named the 2021 Appalachian League Executive of the Year. The award is presented to the one executive
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League today announced its end-of-year awards for the 2021 season.
Executive of the Year—Kat Foster, Greeneville Flyboys
Kat Foster, general manager of the Greeneville Flyboys, has been named the 2021 Appalachian League Executive of the Year. The award is presented to the one executive who has made the most valuable contribution to his/her club. In her second year as GM, Foster and her team drew more than 33,000 fans to Pioneer Park, for an average of 1,344 fans per game. On July 4, the Flyboys set an all-time Pioneer Park attendance record with 4,536 fans. Foster has also been active in the community, hosting various events at the ballpark including the NJAA tournament and a sold-out Mercy Me concert. In 2021, the Flyboys contributed more than $122,000 in gift-in-kind donations in the Greeneville area.
Promotional Award of Excellence—Burlington Sock Puppets
The Burlington Sock Puppets have earned the Appalachian League Promotional Trophy. The Sock Puppets launched one of the most successful and wide-spread rebranding campaigns in the baseball industry, receiving national recognition and unprecedented media exposure. The club was featured in/on People.com, ESPN, Bob and Tom national radio show, Yahoo Sports, Barstool and more. Its social media presence was the largest in the league across the three main channels (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram). From February to August, it had more than 23 million impressions on Twitter alone. The staff sold the most season seats and partnerships in club history and created the first Appy League Sales Academy in conjunction with Elon University. In addition, the club performed free Little League takeovers at random youth leagues and hosted free two-day kids’ camps to more than 100 youth.
Patriot Award—Princeton WhistlePigs
The Princeton WhistlePigs are the 2021 recipient of the Appalachian League Patriot Award, presented to a club for outstanding support and engagement with the United States Armed Forces and veterans, both at the ballpark and in the community. The WhistlePigs continued their long-standing support of the military by having a Veteran’s Recognition Day on July 4 and hosted a group from the Wounded Warriors and their families. The WhistlePigs also raised more than $1,000 in new toys and donations for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. General manager Danny Shingleton, retired Navy Chief of more than 31 years, is an active member of the local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America and the Marine Corps League.
Lee Landers Community Service Award—Bristol State Liners
The Bristol State Liners, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit operated by Bristol Baseball Inc. and a volunteer gameday staff, have earned the 2021 Appalachian League’s Lee Landers Community Service Award. It is presented annually to a club that demonstrates an outstanding, ongoing commitment to charitable service, support and leadership within their community and within the baseball industry. With a focus on the citizens of Bristol, the club has had an economic impact on the region documented at approximately $2.8 million in direct and indirect dollars and has compiled more than 3,500 volunteer hours from game day staff and the board of director’s operational work at the ballpark. In 2021, the club gave more than $1 million in gift-in-kind contributions, including significant donations to Gate City High School and the Virginia High Band Boosters. State Liners staff were also involved with other programs including the Little League Field of Dreams, teacher recognition and the local Civitan’s club.
Organization of the Year—Kingsport Axmen
The Kingsport Axmen were named the 2021 Appalachian League Organization of the Year. The award is given to the one club that exemplifies the standards of the complete baseball franchise, based upon franchise stability, contributions to league stability, contribution to baseball in the community and the promotion of the baseball industry. The Kingsport club saw a 37% increase in average attendance from the last playing season. In 2021, the Axmen averaged 1,228 fans per night. The season high of 3,216 came on Wednesday, June 30, when the Axmen hosted the Opening Ceremonies of the USSSA World Series in Kingsport. After being notified in mid-July that the Axmen players and on-field staff would not be completing the season, the organization moved quickly to form a new team. They were determined to continue the season not only for their fans, but also for the nine other clubs in the league to ensure their schedules remained intact. The Kingsport team was actively involved multiple charitable events and causes, including both the Kingsport Miracle League and the Niswonger Children’s Hospital.
Princeton WhistlePigs finalize 2023 coaching staff
PRINCETON, W. Va. — The Princeton WhistlePigs announced the rest of its 2023 coaching staff as former MLB pitcher Bobby Jenks, along with coaches Alex Jones and Ronald Hayward, will serve under manager Kevin Boles for the upcoming Appalachian League season. Jenks joins the WhistlePigs as the team’s pitching coach
Appalachian League's 2023 managers set to take the helm
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Kevin Boles announced as new manager for WhistlePigs in 2023
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Appalachian League participates in MLK Day of Service
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Appalachian League executives participated in the 28th annual MLK Day of Service on Jan. 16, 2023, volunteering in nine communities across North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Tabbed as a “day on, not a day off” to celebrate the life and legacy of the Civil
Appalachian League celebrates 2022 charitable contributions
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced that the league’s charitable outreach grew to more than $3.4 million of gift-in-kind and monetary donations this year. Additionally, the league and its clubs volunteered more than 11,000 hours of community service. The league’s reach impacts the towns and cities their 10
Appy League adds Justin Morgenstern as director of player personnel
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Appalachian League announces Humanitarian of the Year nominees
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the 10 nominees for its 2022 Humanitarian of the Year award. The Humanitarian of the Year award is given to the Appalachian League player that has been judged to have made the most notable contributions in his community during the season through
Johnson Jr. hits walk-off single, East tops West at 2022 Appy League All-Star Game
BURLINGTON, N.C. -- The East defeated the West, 6-5, at the 2022 Appalachian League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance on Tuesday night at Burlington Athletic Stadium. After Greeneville's Brock Daniels (Missouri) hit a game-tying two-run single with two outs in the top of the ninth, Danville's RJ Johnson Jr
Roster announced for 2022 Appy League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance
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Appalachian League introduces new extra-innings format
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the addition of a "sudden death" extra-innings rule and the return of seven-inning games on Sundays. EXTRA INNINGS: Similar to the Frontier League and MLB Draft League, the Appalachian League will implement a "sudden death" extra-innings format. During the plate meeting prior
WhistlePigs announce Jeff Carter as new manager
PRINCETON, W.Va. -- The Princeton WhistlePigs announced that Jeff Carter will take over as manager for the 2022 season. “We anticipated some changes in our coaching staff prior to the season starting and that is why Jeff was in place as our hitting coach at the time,” explained Princeton WhistlePigs
Princeton WhistlePigs announce 2022 roster
PRINCETON, W. Va. — Summer is getting close and so is WhistlePigs baseball as the Princeton WhistlePigs would like to welcome their players for the 2022 season. The WhistlePigs finished one game out of first place in the eastern division in their inaugural season. Hopes are even higher for this
Appalachian League participates in MLK Week of Service
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Appalachian League unveils 2022 schedule
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2021 All-Appalachian League Team, award winners announced
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Appalachian League announced its 2021 All-Appalachian League Team prior to the completion of its inaugural season as a collegiate summer league as part of the MLB and USA Baseball Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP). The honorees were nominated and voted on by the league’s managers and
Rice and Dyball earn Appy League monthly honors
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Power on display in inaugural Appy League All-Star Game presented by Pennzoil
PULASKI, Va. – Dylan Rogers (Princeton) blasted a three-run homer in the first inning – the first of the game’s six total homers – as the East and West All-Stars played to a 6-6 tie in the 2021 Appalachian League All-Star Game presented by Pennzoil at Calfee Park in Pulaski,
Rosters announced for Appy League All-Star Game presented by Pennzoil
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced today the rosters for the inaugural Appy League All-Star Game presented by Pennzoil. The rosters feature 46 of the league’s top players from the East and West Divisions, as nominated and voted on by the league’s managers. The 2021 Appy League All-Star
Princeton Rays alum, No. 1 overall prospect Wander Franco makes MLB debut
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Appalachian League celebrates women in front-office and on-field roles for 2023 season
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Appalachian League announces 2023 data coordinators
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2022 Appy League All-Star Game: Scouting notes
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Judge, Morris named Appy League Pitcher and Player of the Week
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