The Coastal Plain League announced this afternoon the creation of a brand new end-of-year award: the Commissioner’s Award for Excellence. This special honor was created to recognize key contributions by a club, individual, or concept that has helped spur a positive impact at either the team or league level, or both. For 2024, the Commissioner’s Award for Excellence has been given to the Martinsville Mustangs.
“Martinsville’s transformation is a true testament to the power of dedication and community spirit,” said CPL Commissioner Chip Allen. “The remarkable turnaround of the Mustangs, driven by the passion and commitment of their leadership, has not only revitalized the team but also set a new standard for excellence in the Coastal Plain League. The Martinsville Mustangs have earned this recognition through their unwavering pursuit of growth, both on and off the field, and we’re proud to honor them with the inaugural Commissioner’s Award for Excellence.”
While Martinsville joined the CPL for the 2005 season, it had always struggled to be a successful organization. There would be moments of success on the field, but the other components of the operation seemed to always be lacking. And it wasn’t for a lack of trying as multiple leadership changes were made, including who was in charge of the overall management of the club. Arguably its greatest year as a whole came in 2013, its first under Team Cole and Associates (named and led by Jesse Cole who had great success with the league’s Gastonia Grizzlies and later Savannah Bananas). That year, the club drew a franchise-high 43,239 fans and set team records in sponsorship sales.
Nearly a decade later, a couple more leadership changes and not much to show for it, and the club was facing the harsh reality of either relocation or termination. But a group of four locals – Jason and Tonya Davis, and Joe and April Haynes – partnered under the association name of Next P.L.A.N. Athletics LLC; and with the support of former Martinsville Mayor Kathy Lawson, former City Manager Leon Towarnicki and several other leaders in the community, took over management of the Mustangs in 2022.
“Our commitment to the Martinsville Mustangs organization is strong,” said President Jason Davis early on. “This commitment also resonates throughout the community as well as our continued support to youth baseball. We will continue with our revitalization efforts at Hooker Field and provide a product that the community can be proud of.”
The transformation of the team started soon after with gradual changes for the better in several areas of the club’s operation behind the scenes, including bringing back a familiar face in Connor Akeman as team’s General Manager in 2023. Then, partnering with the City and the Harvest Foundation, the group was able to secure a nearly $3 million renovation project to Hooker Field was started and completed prior to the 2024 season. A brand new two-story operations and concessions building with office space, state-of-the-art broadcast booth and highlighted by two suites for private group seating of 30 fans was erected. Larger restrooms, a new roof over the main grandstand and additional covered seating above both dugouts, as well as a redesigned beer garden were all welcomed additions for fans and elevated the game day experience. And the new front office space at the stadium has helped streamline team operations and foster a more efficient and effective management environment.
And sticking to their commitment to community, the suites were done in two themes – one for the CPL’s Mustangs and its history and the other to celebrate the illustrious career of Lou Whitaker, the Hall of Fame second baseman for the Detroit Tigers, who played at Hooker Field growing up. The main walls of both suites highlight unique collages of their namesakes, while display cases throughout both showcase autographed collectables and other memorabilia. But the recognition for Whitaker didn’t stop there as the Mustangs joined the City in rebranding the facility to Hooker Field at Lou Whitaker Park with a special ceremony that included Sweet Lou and members of his family.
Other strides were made to help with the overall growth of the sport. They joined with The Community Fellowship to send baseball equipment and uniforms to Cuba, and continued their partnership with the Boys and Girls Club, ensuring all children could attend Martinsville home games at no charge. In 2024 alone, the organization welcomed 2,476 kids to the ballpark, helping create unforgettable memories for the children and their families.
The organization also invested in its streaming system with newly installed cameras and production tools that together with a strong play-by-play talent in Riley Trapp (later named the CPL’s Broadcaster of the Year), significantly improved the quality of the team’s streamed home games to one of the best in the league. Sponsorships increased for the second straight season, while overall attendance reached its highest total since 2016 with three sellouts and an average of 1,151 fans per home game.
A renewed enthusiasm and support for the team was recognized more and more by visiting teams this season, as both coaches and players alike complimented Martinsville on its growth, commitment to improvement, and overall professionalism. And the energy that followed the community benefited the home squad as well. Led by head coach Brandon Nania, the Mustangs won a franchise-record 30 games and finished with the second-best record in the league.
“We are deeply honored to be named the recipient of the CPL Commissioner’s Award for Excellence,” said Mustangs President Jason Davis. “This recognition reflects the dedication and passion that define the Martinsville Mustangs organization. As we look forward to the future, we are excited about our ongoing growth, highlighted by the recent construction of new concessions, restrooms, private suites, a modern press box, and expanded office space. These enhancements at Hooker Field at Lou Whitaker Park will elevate the fan experience and further our commitment to this community.
“We are truly a family from our coaches Brandon Nania, Hunter Steel, Mason Gary, our talented players, game day staff, advisory board and our front office – GM Connor Akeman, Vice President April Haynes, Marketing Director Tonya Davis, and Director of Baseball Joe Haynes. This award is a testament to the hard work and commitment of everyone involved. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Coastal Plain League, the City of Martinsville, and look forward to continuing our success and baseball journey with the CPL and its member clubs.”
And so a franchise that was clinging to life support not too long ago has quickly undergone its own renaissance period that reached new heights in 2024; and has the organization as a whole on the road toward more success and growth in the future — benefiting not only the Martinsville community but the CPL as a whole.
About Coastal Plain League:
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. The CPL is currently comprised of 15 franchises playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. To date, the CPL has had over 1,800 alumni drafted, and 194 alums make their Major League debut. Most notable alumni include Justin Verlander, Ryan Zimmerman, Mark Reynolds, Kevin Youkilis, Chris Taylor, Alec Bohm, Jake Cave, 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, WCLY-AM, WCMC-HD4, Microspace, WRAL Digital and Wolfpack Sports Properties (a joint venture with Learfield) in Raleigh, NC; WILM-TV, WILT-LD and Sunrise Broadcasting 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; Greenville Yard Gnomes in Greenville, NC, the American Underground startup hub in Durham, NC; and real estate interests including the American Tobacco Historic District in Durham, NC, and Rocky Mount Mills in Rocky Mount, NC.