DURHAM, N.C. – The Coastal Plain League (CPL) announced this afternoon that the Macon Bacon has been selected as the 2025 CPL Organization of the Year.

“The Macon Bacon are deeply honored to be the recipient of the 2025 Coastal Plain League Organization of the Year,” said Managing Partner and President Brandon Raphael. “It is truly remarkable to receive this award and be recognized amongst our peers in the league. We are thrilled to share it with our fans, partners, staff, players and coaches, and our community. Without them and their support, there is no Macon Bacon.”

Macon was chosen after collecting input from team owners, presidents and general managers, teams and league officials on every facet of an organization from game-day operations to overall hospitality and community involvement. This is the second time they have received this honor, with 2018 being the first.

Celebrating their eighth season this summer and first under new ownership, the Macon Bacon continued to set a high standard, including breaking records in attendance, community impact, corporate partnerships, and fan experience. With a full-time staff of nine, 17 interns, and more than 150 game-day teammates, the organization continues to prioritize what matters most: its fans and its community.

While the Bacon achieved operational and attendance milestones, their impact was most deeply felt off the field. With four months remaining in the calendar year, the organization has already donated over $650,000 to local charities and nonprofits—surpassing last year’s record. This year also marked new community partnerships with Sleep in Heavenly Peace to provide beds to children in need, and Healing 4 Heroes, which connects veterans with life-changing service dogs. Overall, the Bacon now supports 20 community partners, reinforcing their identity as the team of the community.

Once again, the Bacon led the Coastal Plain League in attendance, welcoming an average of 2,475 fans per game and a total of over 67,000 fans this season. They saw a record number of group sales with over 23,000 group tickets sold, including a new high 2,643 tickets for Faith & Family Night on June 6. And on June 20, the team honored Jackie Robinson by retiring his #42. All Bacon players wore the number across special jerseys in tribute, and jersey auctions raised over $4,000 for RBI Baseball Macon.

“From the stands to the streets of Macon, our mission remained the same: deliver unforgettable experiences, give back generously, and raise the bar in everything we do, Raphael stated.”

Corporate partnerships reached new heights as well, with revenues surpassing $500,000. Additionally, unforgettable events such as the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Baseball Championship before the season, hosting the CPL’s marquee event, it’s All-Star Game in July, and the upcoming Bacon Fest that will feature a bacon cook-off, 60+ vendors and live music, is scheduled for September 13 helped make Luther Williams Field the place to be in the community.

“The 2025 season was nothing short of amazing,” explained Raphael. “Breaking records within our organization is always an amazing feat. However, our most special moments were with our fans and community. Hosting the Coastal Plain League All-Star Game this summer for the very first time was incredibly special to us all. And, the historic moment of retiring Jackie Robinson’s #42 jersey on June 20 is one that forever will be in our hearts.”

With a season like this one, the Macon Bacon has proven they are more than just a baseball team. They are a community institution, driven by purpose, innovation, and a relentless focus on the people they serve. And through record-setting attendance, groundbreaking partnerships, impactful community initiatives, and unforgettable events, they best demonstrated that they are a deserving recipient of the 2025 CPL Organization of the Year honor.

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 CPL has had over 1,800 alumni drafted, and 201 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; 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.Fo