PULASKI, Va. – A local team has won Minor League Baseball's top honor.

The Pulaski Yankees are the recipients of the 46th annual John H. Johnson President's Award, league officials announced Wednesday.

The annual award honors a franchise based on criteria such as financial stability, contributions to "league stability," contributions to baseball in the community and promotion of the industry.

This is the first President's Award for the team and the entire Appalachian League.

Attendance at Pulaski Yankees games has grown in five years under new ownership. The past two seasons' attendance was recording-breaking for the Appalachian League, according to league officials.

The team will receive their award at a banquet in San Diego on Dec. 8.

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) announced today that the Pulaski Yankees are the recipients of the 46th annual John H. Johnson President's Award. The team will receive Minor League Baseball's top honor at the Baseball Winter Meetings Banquet on Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront.

The John H. Johnson President's Award has been presented annually since 1974 to honor the complete baseball franchise. The award's criteria are based on financial stability, contributions to league stability, contributions to baseball in the community and promotion of the baseball industry. This award is the first President's Award for the Pulaski Yankees, the first for an Appalachian League team and sixth for a Short Season team.

"On behalf of the Pulaski community, our fans, and partners who help make Pulaski Yankees baseball what it is, we are very excited to accept this award," said Pulaski General Manager Betsy Haugh. "To be recognized with MiLB's top honor is extremely humbling knowing how many amazing organizations make up our industry and how much each one means to its community. From our staff to those in the Appalachian League, Minor League Baseball, and the New York Yankees organization, we thank everyone who has played a role in our success and we are excited to share this award with them."

A longtime member of the Appalachian League, the Pulaski franchise has reached unprecedented heights in five years under new management as the attendance has grown in each of the last five seasons, culminating in new Appalachian League attendance records in each of the last two seasons. Sponsorship revenue has reached record levels for the team as it experienced a 30% increase from 2018 to 2019 alone, and has posted a sponsorship revenue increase of 350% over the last five years.

In 2015, local auto dealership owner David Hagan took over management of the ballclub and historic Calfee Park from the town of Pulaski and began a series of upgrades to the facility to ensure the future of professional baseball in Pulaski and in the surrounding New River Valley. Immediate upgrades under the new ownership included a renovated home team clubhouse, a new visiting team clubhouse, concessions stand, press box, the addition of VIP Towers for group outings, upgraded seating, additional parking, and a 35'x22' video board. The makeover of Calfee Park continued with a new Bermuda grass playing field, a new irrigation and drainage system, new home offices for park employees, an expanded upper concourse and a new scoreboard. Prior to the 2019 season, seating upgrades continued along the third base line, including the addition of new box seats and a three-tiered party deck that increased Calfee Park capacity to 3,200. A new souvenir shop was also added on the upper concourse.

"We are truly humbled by this award," said Hagan. "Our franchise has been a dream of mine for 30 years, and we are truly honored to be recognized with this award, the highest honor in Minor League Baseball."

The Pulaski Yankees boast a roster of over 200 corporate partners in a town with 9,000 residents, allowing small businesses and large companies alike to show their support for Pulaski's destination for summertime fun and excitement. Despite Calfee Park's location in a residential neighborhood, team officials worked with local officials and state fire personnel to have a fireworks show at Calfee Park for the first time in over 20 years.

In the spring of 2019, the Pulaski Yankees introduced #CalfeeCares, a mission through which the organization is making it a priority to give back to the fans and businesses in Pulaski and the New River Valley who help support the organization and ballpark. This branded community approach was introduced through an open letter to fans and a video on social media that detailed the Yankees' organizational philosophy, shared examples of community initiatives already in place, introduced and described #CalfeeCares, and invited fans to join the Yankees in their efforts.

Through #CalfeeCares, the Pulaski Yankees more than tripled their in-stadium fundraising and gifts-in-kind donations and logged over 150 more volunteer hours from staff and players. Additional special events included the first ever Pulaski Yankees 5K, Homers For Hearts charity softball game and many other events held at Calfee Park.

"The work done by the Pulaski Yankees under the leadership of David Hagan and Betsy Haugh has been inspiring and is a perfect example of what local ownership with a community focus can do for a ballclub," said Minor League Baseball President & CEO Pat O'Conner. "Their dedication to their community, fans, affiliate and Minor League Baseball as a whole has been exemplary, and I have nothing but the highest praise for them."

Past John H. Johnson President's Award Winners:

1974 Rochester, International

1975 Tacoma, Pacific Coast

1976 Mexico City Red Devils, Mexican

1977 Fresno, California

1978 Iowa, American Association

1979 Denver, American Association

1980 Quad City, Midwest

1981 Great Falls, Pioneer

1982 Tacoma, Pacific Coast

1983 Louisville, American Association

1984 Albuquerque, Pacific Coast

1985 Las Vegas, Pacific Coast

1986 El Paso, Texas

1987 Syracuse, International

1988 Indianapolis, American Association

1989 Durham, Carolina

1990 Pawtucket, International

1991 Albuquerque, Pacific Coast

1992 Buffalo, American Association

1993 Norfolk, International

1994 Billings, Pioneer

1995 Columbus, International

1996 Salt Lake, Pacific Coast

1997 Richmond, International

1998 Lynchburg, Carolina

1999 Tulsa, Texas

2000 Portland, Eastern

2001 Eugene, Northwest

2002 Iowa, Pacific Coast

2003 Reading, Eastern

2004 Rochester, International

2005 Trenton, Eastern

2006 Altoona, Eastern

2007 Midland, Texas

2008 Cedar Rapids, Midwest

2009 San Jose, California

2010 Billings, Pioneer

2011 Tennessee, Southern

2012 Dayton, Midwest

2013 Vancouver, Northwest

2014 Durham, International

2015 South Bend, Midwest

2016 Fort Wayne, Midwest

2017 Greenville, South Atlantic

2018 Albuquerque, Pacific Coast