House Concurrent Resolution 52

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE BRYAN PACKERS AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL TEAM FROM WEST POINT, MISSISSIPPI, FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN WINNING THE 2002 AMERICAN LEGION WORLD SERIES.

WHEREAS, the Bryan Packers American Legion Baseball Team from West Point, Mississippi, is the 2002 Champion of the American Legion World Series; and

WHEREAS, the American Legion baseball program began in 1926 and is the oldest amateur baseball program in the United States and includes 5,300 registered baseball teams; and

WHEREAS, fifty-five percent of professional baseball players and seventy percent of college baseball players played American Legion baseball as teenagers; and

WHEREAS, the West Point team is the first team from Mississippi ever to win the American Legion World Series; and

WHEREAS, a team from Region 4, which includes Mississippi, has won the American Legion Championship only twice before, most recently in 1968; and

WHEREAS, the Bryan Packers have won four state titles in the past six years; and

WHEREAS, this North Mississippi team finished the three month season with a record of 47-13, and went 12-2 in post-season play; and

WHEREAS, many individual honors have been bestowed upon the players including: Corey Carter, Dusty Snider, Josh Johnson, and Jeff Shafer, named members of the All-Tournament Team; Josh Johnson named All-Tournament Most Valuable Player and recipient of the Bob Feller Pitching award; and Corey Carter received the Rawlings Big Stick award; and

WHEREAS, the Packers' coach, Frank Portera, who started the West Point Team nine years ago, won the Jack Williams Memorial Leadership award; and

WHEREAS, the Bryan Packers have been superbly coached and inspired by Head Coach Frank Portera and Assistant Coaches Todd Stanley and Tyler Bratton, who have broadened the players' knowledge of the game and refined their skill in execution; and

WHEREAS, the Bryan Packers Team is comprised of Head Coach Frank Portera, Assistant Coaches Todd Stanley and Tyler Bratton, and players Justin Best, Russell Bourland, Corey Carter, Joby Garner, Tyler Hunter, Scottie Jacobs, Drew Jaudon, Josh Johnson, Lance Martin, Brandon McGarity, Dave Nanney, Brent Patton, John Raymond Pitre, Taylor Robertson, Jeff Schafer, Dusty Snider, Chris Stamps, and Rod Williams; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of their great accomplishment, the Bryan Packers were honored with a Congressional Proclamation by the United States House of Representatives in House Resolution 542; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Legislature of the State of Mississippi to recognize and commend excellence especially when exhibited by the young people of this state, who are its future:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Bryan Packers American Legion Baseball Team from West Point, Mississippi, for their outstanding accomplishment in winning the 2002 American Legion World Series and for demonstrating excellence and character and tireless devotion to their athletic endeavors throughout the season.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Frank Portera, Assistant Coaches Todd Stanley and Tyler Bratton, Mayor of West Point and members of the Capitol Press Corps.