DURHAM, N.C. – The Coastal Plain League (CPL) recognized the Holly Springs Salamanders this afternoon for earning the 2026 CPL Promotion of the Year.

The Promotion of the Year Award recognizes the most creative, impactful, and well-executed marketing or community engagement initiative of the season.

With 2026 marking the Town of Holly Springs (NC) 150th anniversary, the Salamanders planned a special 150th Anniversary Game on July 25 with a stadium-wide celebration of the community, history, and people of Holly Springs. To commemorate the milestone, the club incorporated the anniversary into nearly every aspect of the fan experience. Players took the field in specialty jerseys featuring the Town’s official 150th Anniversary logo, while Town departments were represented throughout the ballpark and featured in on-field promotions that highlighted the services they provide to the community.

“Winning the Coastal Plain League’s Promotion of the Year Award is a tremendous honor for our organization and our staff,” said General Manager Michael Villafana. “From the beginning, we wanted the 150th Anniversary Game to be more than just another theme night. Our goal was to celebrate both the history of Holly Springs and the community it has become today, while recognizing the people who have helped shape it along the way. Seeing the Town, its departments, local leaders, and our fans all come together at the ballpark made the night incredibly special and one we are proud to have been a part of.”

The celebration extended beyond the gates with a Touch-a-Truck experience featuring Holly Springs fire trucks, police vehicles, garbage trucks, and transportation services. Fans had the opportunity to see the vehicles up close, interact with Town employees, and learn more about the people who serve Holly Springs every day. Mayor Mike Kondratick and members of Town leadership attended, with the mayor participating in a ceremonial first pitch. Mollie Sears, widow of former long-time mayor Dick Sears, also was on hand and threw out a first pitch. Dick was instrumental in bringing the stadium (and whole athletic complex — among other things) to Holly Springs, and the field now bears his name, making the moment especially meaningful.

Even concessions joined the celebration with $1.50 popcorn in honor of 150 years. And the community responded, as the celebration became the team’s highest-attended Saturday game in July in 2026.

“This award means a lot because so many different elements came together to make the 150th Anniversary Game special,” remarked Skyler Herman, Manager of Marketing and Community Relations for the Salamanders. “We wanted the celebration to be felt throughout the entire ballpark — from the specialty jerseys to the thoughtfully planned on-field promotions. Every detail was designed to showcase the history, people, and spirit of Holly Springs, and you could truly feel that sense of community pride throughout the night.”

By combining baseball, history, public service, interactive experiences, and community pride, the Holly Springs Salamanders created a promotion and night that exemplified what a Coastal Plain League team does best — be the gathering place for an entire community.

About Coastal Plain League:
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier and most innovative summer collegiate baseball league. The CPL is currently comprised of 15 franchises playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. To date, the dsCPL has had over 1,800 alumni drafted, and 216 alums make their Major League debut. Most notable alumni include Justin Verlander, Ryan Zimmerman, Mark Reynolds, Kevin Youkilis, Chris Taylor, Jake Cave, Alec Bohm, Chas McCormick and NFL Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok @CPLBaseball.

About Capitol Broadcasting Company:
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAZ-TV, WRAL-FM, WRAL-HD2, WNGT-CD, WCMC-FM, WCMC-HD1, WDNC-AM, WCMC-HD2, WCMC-HD3, WCMC-HD4, Microspace, and WRAL Digital in Raleigh, NC; WILM-TV and WILT-LD in Wilmington, NC; The Durham Bulls Baseball Club, Bull City Hospitality, and Coastal Plain League in Durham, NC; The Holly Springs Salamanders in Holly Springs, NC; The Zebulon Devil Dogz in Zebulon, NC; the American Underground startup hub in Durham, NC; and real estate interests including the American Tobacco Historic District in Durham, NC; Rocky Mount Mills in Rocky Mount, NC; MoJud Lofts in Greensboro, NC; and The Thread in Rock Hill, SC.