THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 24, 1994 TAG: 9411240820
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM ROBINSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
The Norfolk Tides' two-year transformation from bland local presence to minor league acclaim has received another boost. Baseball America newspaper has named the Tides recipients of the 1994 Bob Freitas Award for the most outstanding operation in Triple-A baseball.
Baseball America, which names award winners in each minor league classification, selected the Tides for their ``continuing high operating standards.'' The paper said it ``looks for organizations with well-run facilities, creative promotions and a regular ranking among their league's attendance leaders.''
The Tides sold 546,826 tickets to Harbor Park last season, fifth-most among all minor league teams. At Met Park, which they left after the 1992 season, the Tides' best attendance was 216,429 in 1989.
``I think it's a very deserved recognition of our staff, the city for having built Harbor Park and the fans of the area for the tremendous acceptance they've had of the new operation and the new stadium,'' Tides general manager Dave Rosenfield said. ``I will accept it, but I accept it for our staff in particular.''
Other winners are San Antonio in Double-A, Class-A Kinston, N.C. and Everett, Wash. among short-season clubs.
By winning, the Tides kept the award in Virginia. The Richmond Braves were last year's winners. by CNB