MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2005 2nd Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Kirby, Albritton, Burton, Butler, Carmichael, Chaney, Clarke, Davis, Dearing, Flowers, Frazier, Gollott, Gordon, Harvey, Hewes, Horhn, King, Lee (35th), Little, Mettetal, Moffatt, Morgan, Pickering, Posey, Simmons, Thames, Thomas, White
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION WELCOMING THE DOUBLE-A MISSISSIPPI BRAVES BASEBALL TEAM TO THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, on Monday, April 18, 2005, Double-A affiliated baseball returned to the Magnolia State, when the Mississippi Braves, the AA Southern League Franchise of the Atlanta Braves, played their first game at the $25 Million "Trustmark Park" in Pearl, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Mississippi Braves General Manager Steve DeSalvo and Field Manager Brian Snitker have presented central Mississippi with a 5,500 seat (7,319 capacity) state of the art stadium that will serve as home for the AA Mississippi Braves. Private stadium financing is assisted through state and municipal sales tax rebate incentives under the Mississippi Tourism Incentive Program, and access road construction; and
WHEREAS, the Atlanta Braves parent organization's streak of 13 straight division championships is a well-known accomplishment which has been driven by a successful farm league system. Less publicized but equally significant is the fact that for 14 straight years, the Braves minor league system has placed seventh or higher in talent rankings published by Baseball America. There is an obvious correlation, the Braves organization has done a remarkably consistent job of developing talent to supply their major league club and central Mississippi is the beneficiary of this sports entertainment and economic development product; and
WHEREAS, Double-A is the fifth of six levels in the Atlanta minor league system, and the AA Braves has sent stars to the majors such as Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones, Marcus Giles, Javy Lopez, Mark Lemke, Ron Gant, Tom Glavine, Ryan Klesko, Steve Avery, Jeff Blauser, Vinny Castilla, Kevin Millwood, Jason Schmidt, Jermaine Dye, Jason Marquis, Eddie Perez and Mark Wohlers. The opening day roster of the Mississippi Braves had five of Baseball America's top 10 rated players in the organization: Jeff Francoeur (1), Brian McCann (3), Anthony Lerew (5), Luis Hernandez (7) and Blaine Boyer (10). The Mississippi Braves had six players on the Atlanta Braves' 40-man roster: Blaine Boyer, Anthony Lerew, Macay McBride, Jorge Vasquez, Luis Hernandez and Scott Thorman; and
WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi is a big fan of the Braves parent organization, which has the following accomplishments to its credit: 1995 World Series Champions; 13 consecutive Division Championships; Baseball America's Organization of the Year - 1991 and 1996; USA Today's Organization of the Year - 1996 and Organization of the Past 20 Years - 1982-2001; Topps' Organization of the Year - 1986; Braves General Manager John Schuerholz 2004 recipient of the Baseball America Lifetime Achievement Award (son, Jon Schuerholz, plays second base for the Mississippi Braves); and
WHEREAS, from the $1 Million scoreboard to the 26 luxury suites, not many expenses were spared in building Trustmark Park and bringing AA baseball back to the Central-Mississippi-Metro area, including the following features: capacity of 7,319; each seat has a chair back and a cup holder; 21 foot daktronics videoboard; Cellular South Cafe - full-service restaurant open year round; Alltel Corporate Picnic Pavilion; Mid-South Ford Dealers Family Fun Zone; 26 luxury suites; two party decks; nine specialty concession stands and 360 degree concourse; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi Braves have already proven themselves to be excellent corporate citizens for the Central Mississippi area, evidences by the following charitable efforts: K for Kids (a donation is made to a local charity each time a Mississippi Braves pitcher strikes out an opponent); baseball, books and bar graphs (a donation was made to support the summer educational program in the Pearl Public School District); Dream, Inc. (a Drug Use Prevention Program); Budweiser "Good Sport" Program (encouraging designated drivers); and other donations and contributions have been made to organizations and causes in the Central Mississippi area; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi Braves will compete in the Southern League, one of three Double-A level leagues in Minor League Baseball, which traces its beginnings back to 1885, when eight cities joined to form the Southern League of Professional Baseball Clubs; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the arrival of this popular southern baseball franchise to our state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby welcome the Double-A Mississippi Braves Baseball Team to the State of Mississippi and commend Braves General Manager John Schuerholz and Mississippi Braves General Manager Steve DeSalvo for their decision to locate their franchise in the Magnolia State.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the General Manager, Field Manager and members of the Mississippi Braves organization and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.