SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 344 Offered January 10, 2007 Prefiled January 8, 2007 Commending the Martinsville Mustangs baseball team.  ---------- Patrons-- Reynolds; Delegate: Armstrong ----------

WHEREAS, the Martinsville Mustangs baseball team is recognized for providing community support and family sports entertainment to the citizens of Martinsville and the surrounding area; and

WHEREAS, the Martinsville Mustangs is the City of Martinsville's franchise in the Coastal Plain League (CPL), which is a three division, preprofessional league for college baseball players, operating three organizations in Virginia, three in South Carolina, and nine at its headquarters in North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, the Mustangs, with a 25-player roster and four conditional players, won the first-half championship with a 18-7 record and the second-half championship with a 17-9 record; and

WHEREAS, as the Western Division champions, the Martinsville Mustangs secured a second seed position in the CPL’s Championship Pettit Cup Tournament with the league’s second-best record of 35-16; and

WHEREAS, Martinsville was represented by players from as close as Martinsville and Danville in Virginia and from as far away as localities in Colorado, Ontario, Louisiana, Nebraska, and Florida; and

WHEREAS, outfielders Matt Leake and Jamie Ray and first baseman Josh Paul were acknowledged as outstanding league Players of the Week during the season and pitcher Scott Diamond received league Pitcher of the Week honors; and

WHEREAS, outfielder Jamie Ray was selected as a Summer All-Star by SEBaseball.com, one of the premier authorities on Atlantic Coast Conference, Southeastern Conference, and Conference USA baseball in the Southeastern United States; and

WHEREAS, the Mustangs team is assisted in its operations by the dedicated volunteers of the concessions provider, Martinsville Community Recreation Association, as well as the Martinsville Baseball Association; and

WHEREAS, the success of the Martinsville Mustangs is a tribute to the talented players and the dedication of team president Matthew C. Hankins, general manager Doug Gibson, head coach Rob Watt, pitching coach Aaron Akin, founding president Wade Bartlett, and City Manager Dan Collins; and

WHEREAS, in addition to bringing exciting baseball to the region, the Martinsville Mustangs provide an excellent advertising outlet for area businesses, as well as contribute to the economic development of Martinsville and the quality of life of its residents; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and congratulate the players and officials of the Martinsville Mustangs on their outstanding 2006 season; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Martinsville Mustangs baseball team as an expression of the General Assembly's gratitude for its commitment to the citizens of the City of Martinsville.