Baseball America in conjunction with Minor League Baseball (MiLB) named the Vancouver Canadians baseball club organization of the year.
Led by teamowners Jake Kerr and Jeff Mooney and team president Andy Dunn, the franchise not received the award before.
Lee Folger, president and publisher of Baseball America, said, “The Vancouver Canadians have generated new excitement in their market by leveraging their affiliation with the Toronto Blue Jays, expanding their marketing efforts in Vancouver and upgrading Scotiabank Field in Nat Bailey Stadium.”
The Canadians reached a multi-year player development contract with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011 that helped Vancouver win its first Northwest League championship.
As well, the unveiling of the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation and a third consecutive attendance record helped MiLB shine light on the Canadians’ efforts.
“To be recognized by MiLB at such a level is something that we as an organization are very proud of,” Kerr said.
Since 2007, the Canadians have welcomed more than half a million baseball fans to the rejuvenated Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium and have won three consecutive Larry McPhail Awards (2009-11) for excellence within the Northwest League.
Jennifer Harrison
@JHarrisonBIV