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EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

Domino relinquishes presidency of R-Phils & IronPigs to lead Richmond franchise

September 23, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


Reading, PA -- Chuck Domino, long-time General Manager and President of the Reading Phillies and Lehigh Valley IronPigs, has relinquished his current positions, effective immediately. This move will pave the way for him to become the Chief Executive Manager, through a management agreement between Domino Consulting and the ownership group of the Connecticut Defenders, who will be relocated to Richmond, Virginia for the 2010 Eastern League season.

It was announced at a news conference in Richmond today that the Connecticut Defenders will move there in time for the 2010 season. Minor League Baseball rules preclude any individual from occupying dual roles in more than one front office in the same league.

Richmond has been without professional baseball since the Atlanta Braves moved their Triple-A franchise to Gwinnett, Georgia following the 2008 season. The Braves had been in Richmond since 1966.

"The opportunity to bring baseball back to the Richmond market was too alluring and challenging to pass up," said Domino. "This will be a very intriguing endeavor as we re-enter a market that has had success in the past but saw interest wane in recent years as The Diamond declined with age while controversies over a new stadium dominated the landscape.

"I look forward to giving The Diamond a facelift as we re-energize fans in the short-run while efforts begin to give a city with the status of Richmond what it deserves - which is the best new Minor League ballpark in America."

Domino will spend a lot of time in Richmond but will maintain his Berks County residence. He'll remain active with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs of the International League through Domino Consulting. He'll continue to serve as the President of Reading based Baseballtown Charities, the 501(C)(3) charitable arm of the R-Phils. He's been with the IronPigs since 2006 and Baseballtown Charities since 2002.

"The Reading franchise will always be of great interest to me even though I will no longer be involved with the day to day operations," Domino said. "Reading is the gold standard in Minor League Baseball and I am proud to have played a role in that. The City of Reading and all the baseball fans in the region are very fortunate to have one of the elite front offices in all of professional baseball headed by General Manager Scott Hunsicker."

"The impact Chuck has had on creating what everyone in the baseball industry and in the Berks County area has come to know as Baseballtown is obvious," said Craig Stein, R-Phils managing partner. "All the attendance records, awards and trophies are just the byproduct of what Chuck has accomplished by enhancing the quality of life in this community. The Reading Phillies success is not the result of playing in a new ballpark in a new market. Instead, Chuck and his staff, through hard work, reinvestment, and attention to detail, have been able to grow our attendance and more importantly sustain that success long term in the very same ballpark and market, where baseball was irrelevant for 38 years prior to his arrival."

In 69 openings this season the Reading Phillies led the E.L. in total (460,791) and average attendance (6,678). The club has finished first in total and/or average attendance every season since 2002.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs finished second in the Triple-A International League in total (641,335) and average attendance (9,162) in 70 openings. 2009 was the IronPigs second season.

Domino was born in Pittsburgh, PA October 22, 1959. He is a 1978 graduate of Mt. Lebanon High School (Pittsburgh) where he played baseball. Domino graduated from St. Thomas University (Miami Gardens, FL), formerly Biscayne College, with a degree in Sports Administration in 1982.

Domino's highlights:

2008: Was inducted into the Berks County Business Hall of Fame by Junior Achievement in March ... R-Phils led the Eastern League in overall and average attendance (436,789/6,423). Oversaw the inaugural season for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, who finished 5th in the International League in overall and average attendance (602,033/8,479).

2007: R-Phils led the Eastern League in overall and average attendance (466,385/6,663) ... FirstEnergy Stadium became the first ballpark that has never been home to a Triple-A franchise to welcome it's 10 millionth fan all-time ... The R-Phils became the first E.L. team to draw better than 450,000 fans in eight consecutive seasons ... Presented "Champion of Youth Award" by the Olivet Boys and Girls Club ... R-Phils were nominated for the Larry MacPhail Award given to the top promoter in the Minors.

2006: Named Eastern League Executive of the Year for the 4th time ... Led E.L. in overall and average attendance (460,216/6,669) ... The R-Phils became the first E.L. team to draw better than 450,000 fans in seven consecutive seasons ... Honored with the Extra Innings Award, presented at the Minor League Baseball Promotional Seminar to the team that demonstrates excellence in community service, for the opening of Gordon Hoodak Stadium at Lauer's Park ... Franchise nominated for the Larry MacPhail Award given to the top promoter in the Minors ... Named President of both the Reading Phillies (AA) and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA).

2005: Led the Eastern League in attendance at 468,105 fans ... The city of Reading became the first E.L. city to surpass the 9-million mark in total attendance (5.9 million fans have come under Domino's watch) ... Broke ground on Gordon Hoodak Stadium at Lauer's Park. A $950,000 downtown youth stadium built by Baseballtown Charities on the grounds of Lauer's Park Elementary School. The school is named for the former stadium which housed several professional teams from 1907-1941. The likes of Babe Ruth, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson and others had played on site.

2004: Led the R-Phils to an Eastern League best and franchise record 7,138 fans per game ... Inducted into the Berks County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame ... Recipient of Boy Scouts "Spirit of Scouting" Award.

2003: Named Minor League Baseball Executive of the Year by Baseball America ... Guided the Reading Phillies franchise to the John H. Johnson President's Trophy. The President's Trophy is the highest honor presented by Minor League Baseball to one organization each year. The winner of the trophy is selected based on franchise stability, contributions to league stability, contributions to baseball in the community and promotion of the baseball industry ... Named Community Leader of the Year by the Arthritis Foundation.

2002: Guided Reading to a franchise record attendance of 486,570 fans.

2001: R-Phils named "Small Business of the Year" by the Berks County Chamber of Commerce.

2000: Led Reading Phillies to their second Bob Freitas Award, presented by Baseball America annually to the best operation at each of Minor League Baseball's four classifications . . . Made Reading the first two time recipient of the award, having also won in 1991 ... Also named by Baseball America as the Bob Freitas Award recipients for the decade of the '90s ... Named "Executive of the Year" by the Middle Atlantic Major League Baseball Scouts Association.

1999: Earned club's second Larry MacPhail Promotional Trophy presented annually to the top promoter in Minor League Baseball.

1998: Named Minor League Baseball Executive of the Year by The Sporting News.

1997: Eastern League Executive of the Year.

1995: Named the GM you would want to run your franchise by Baseball America in an article titled "Building the Perfect Beast"

1994: Recipients of the Larry MacPhail Promotional Trophy.

1991: Recipients of the Bob Freitas Award by Baseball America given annually to the best operation at each of Minor League baseball's four classifications.

1989: Eastern League Executive of the year ... The Sporting News Class-AA Executive of the Year.

1988: Eastern League Executive of the year.

1987: Hired as Reading Phillies General Manager

1986: Pioneer League Executive of the year while serving as General Manager of the Idaho Falls Braves.

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