ALPB Post-Season Club Awards Announced
October 20, 2016 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Long Island Ducks News Release
Denver, CO- The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) today announced its 2016 Post-Season Club Awards, including special recognitions for team accomplishments both on and off the field. Winners were selected through voting from league club managers, executives and media.
"Fans' focus is often the players and great performances they put on display each day during the season," said Atlantic League President Rick White. "However, it's the folks behind the scenes who make games happen. The Atlantic League Post-Season Awards annually recognize those key individuals and talented crews that work tirelessly to produce the game of baseball and reach fans throughout club communities."
Long Island Ducks President/GM Michael Pfaff has been named the Joe Klein Executive of the Year. Pfaff has served as the team's President/GM since 2011 and this year helped field a team that made its fourth Atlantic League Championship Series appearance in the past six seasons. Off the field, Pfaff oversaw a front office staff that welcomed its 7 millionth fan through the gates, becoming the first team in league history to do so. In addition, he added to his responsibilities by becoming a partner with the New Britain Bees. Pfaff was integral in helping the Bees to a successful first year in the Atlantic League, both on and off the field.
The Bridgeport Bluefish have received the Ken Shepard Award for Promotional Excellence. The Bluefish put together a promotional schedule in 2016 that was full of exciting giveaways, theme nights and celebrity guest manager appearances. Among those who guest managed Bridgeport were Jennie Finch, Roger Clemens and Ozzie Guillen. The Bluefish also hosted a bobblehead series featuring five former Major Leaguers, including Clemens, and featured a weekly promotional lineup that included special giveaways, events or discounts each night.
The New Britain Bees have garnered the Outstanding Club Community Service Award. The team conducted over 100 community appearances in 2016 with its mascot, Sting, and members of the team. More than 125 ticket and suite donations were made to local charitable organizations/fundraisers, and a partnership was forged with the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain for ticket donations and CFGNB nights. The Bees also held a Book Drive, sponsored by River Valley Wealth Management, to replace books at Berlin-Peck Memorial Library that were lost in a flood.
The Lancaster Barnstormers have won the Promotion of the Year Award for producing the outstanding Farm Show that accompanied the 2016 Atlantic League All-Star Game in July. Fans had the unique opportunity to experience the Lancaster farming community first hand, both outside and inside the ballpark, including animals on the left field hillside, concourse tables featuring local businesses that specialize in supporting the farming community and various exhibits about farming in the area.
Clipper Magazine Stadium, the home of the Barnstormers, was also named the league's Ballpark of the Year. In addition to hosting the All-Star festivities, Lancaster's ballpark also welcomed a variety of other events during the season, including soccer matches, concerts and fitness competitions. Highlights included a Lynyrd Skynyrd/Peter Frampton concert, a home run derby featuring Jose Canseco, a 9/11 Tribute with an appearance by Taylor Kinney and PA Rebellion Fast Pitch Softball games. In addition, the team hosted popular promotional events and many company stadium rentals.
The Sugar Land Skeeters have received the inaugural Ray Cipperly Award for Groundskeeping Excellence. Groundskeeper Brad Detmore and the entire grounds crew at Constellation Field worked tirelessly all season long to keep the field in pristine condition, even through torrential rainfall that saturated the Houston area early in the season. In addition, the grounds crew helped prepare the field frequently for outside events that included concerts, a kickball tournament, a holiday lights spectacular and much more.
Skeeters mascot, Swatson, has been named the Mascot of the Year. The lovable mascot is found throughout the Sugar Land community year-round. Swatson visited schools as part of the team's annual Reading Program, attended city events, spent time with little leaguers and those in hospitals and cheered on participants and various 5K walks/runs. At the ballpark, Swatson could always be seen driving in to greet the fans and engaging those in the crowd throughout the ballgame.
Atlantic League Stories from October 20, 2016
- Bees Partner Michael Pfaff Honored as Joe Klein Executive Of the Year - New Britain Bees
- Bluefish Earn ALPB Ken Shepard Award for Promotional Excellence - Bridgeport Bluefish
- Michael Pfaff Named Joe Klein Executive of the Year - Long Island Ducks
- Skeeters Honored with Two Atlantic League Club Awards - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- ALPB Post-Season Club Awards Announced - Long Island Ducks
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