CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA (November 4, 2014) – Election Day means voting, and this year in the
Charlottesville area it means a lot more than casting ballots to elect public officials. Charlottesville Community
Baseball Inc. has opened up Facebook and Twitter to public input on the four names that stand as finalists for
Charlottesville’s new Valley Baseball League team.
Public voting will continue through Monday, November 10. After the close of voting, Charlottesville
Community Baseball will weigh various factors, including public input, before announcing the team’s name by
November 18.
The four names being considered to be the name of the community’s new team are:
Presidents
Sabres
Tom Sox
Vines

The selection of these four names follows a fun and spirited first phase of the contest, during which the public
was asked to submit their favorite monikers via Facebook and Twitter. After nearly a thousand posts and
tweets, along with voicemails and mailed entries, 266 unique names had been submitted for consideration.
“We have asked the public to help us name the team, and they responded in spectacular fashion,” said Alex
Inman, Charlottesville Community Baseball public relations volunteer. “And now we are asking them to help
us again. Presidents, Sabres, Tom Sox, or Vines – let us know which one you like, and why.”
With 266 names to choose from, narrowing things down to four was not easy. Charlottesville Community
Baseball took into consideration public input on social media, while also considering local history and culture
and baseball tradition.
“All four names can easily be identified with Charlottesville,” explained Inman, “and there were many more
that would have served as a tribute to our community. People really got into the idea of coming up with
names that reflected this area, and I think that’s what made it fun for everyone.
“We had so many entries that focused on local history, but Presidents stands out as being an appropriate nod
to being the home of three of our nation’s early leaders.
“Sabres can be interpreted as having a tie to our military history, and it would certainly fit in the Valley League
with some of the existing names. And of course there is a subtle link to UVA.

“Tom Sox is a name that got people’s attention on social media, and it got our attention as well for its
whimsical combination of Jefferson and baseball.
“There were a number of suggestions related to wine and our local wine industry. Vines took root, pardon the
pun.”
The public is now invited back to the team’s Facebook page, Charlottesville Baseball 2015, to post their votes.
Along with votes, people are invited and encouraged to offer explanations of why they like that particular
name.
Voting will also continue on Twitter, where the team is @CvilleBase2015, with the hashtag #NameCvillesTeam.
140 characters aren’t many, but tweets with explanations are encouraged, as are retweets.
Social media has been utilized for this contest to promote awareness and sharing of news about the
community’s new team. Hundreds of new Facebook Likes and Twitter followers have resulted. The team will
be posting frequent updates daily on Facebook and Twitter to keep the public informed on the final phase of
the contest.
The public may also call in voicemail votes to (434) 295-3455, or mail votes and input to PO Box 166, Ivy, VA
22945.
“I have my favorite, but you won’t get it out of me right now,” said Joe Koshansky, General Manager of the
team and former UVA All-American and major leaguer. “It has been fun to run into people the past couple of
weeks and have them sell me on their favorite. More than anything, it has been exciting to see how the In reality, Koshansky hasn’t been all that focused on team names. He has been busy in recent weeks
constructing the roster and hiring coaches, who will be announced in the coming days.
“Prospective players and coaches have been very positive about spending their summer here in
Charlottesville,” said Koshansky. “Word of mouth about how great Charlottesville is has helped us, and so has
the awareness of baseball created by the success of the Virginia program. We are known as a good baseball
town.”
community has embraced our new team and how excited they are about collegiate summer baseball.”  A grand prize winner will be selected from among those who supported the winning entry, and will receive the
Check CHO First package, courtesy of CHO Airport and American Airlines. Worth over $800, it includes an
American Airlines travel voucher and VIP parking for one week at CHO. The grand prize winner will also
receive two season tickets and will throw out the first pitch prior to a game.

Facebook: Charlottesville Baseball 2015
Twitter: @CvilleBase2015 #NameCvillesTeam

November 4-10 Public vote on the four finalists via Facebook and Twitter

November 18 Expected date of team announcement.  Listen for continuing coverage on The Best Seat in the House, weeknights 6-8pm.