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Hampton honors Peninsula Pilots as stadium upgrades and youth media program draw praise
Summary
City leaders and the Peninsula Pilots highlighted a busy season, new video-board-driven fan engagement and a youth-led game-day media program; a locker-room renovation and negotiations for college games were also announced.
Hampton city leaders on Tuesday recognized the Peninsula Pilots’ successful 2024 season and spotlighted recent stadium improvements and youth employment tied to game-day programming. Peninsula Pilots owner Henry Morgan told the council the team finished 34–14, won both halves of its division and drew 56,894 home fans for a 2,371 average per game, figures he said reflected renewed energy from a new video board and stronger community partnerships.
Morgan credited stadium staff and volunteers and singled out Mary Bunting, the city manager, and stadium authority members for their roles getting the new video board installed in time for the season. “The video board provided an energy at the ballpark that we haven't had in years,” Morgan said, adding that the board helped create a “community living room” atmosphere where fans could socialize.
The Pilots also emphasized player development and community ties: multiple players were drafted or signed by Major League Baseball organizations, and the team finished in the top five in a number of offensive and pitching categories. Morgan and staff described corporate engagement, special events including three fireworks shows, and promotions that contributed to attendance gains.
Councilmembers also recognized a small youth media team the club hired to run game-day programming and social media. Morgan introduced several young workers and praised their contributions to telecast and video programming; he noted one hire had been a recent graduate and several were local high-school students. “You did a heck of a job,” Morgan said to the youth team, encouraging continued opportunities for student involvement.
Looking ahead, Morgan described a locker-room renovation that began Aug. 19, including interior demolition, plumbing relocation and masonry work, and said the club would monitor liquidated damages to keep the project on schedule. He also said the Pilots are negotiating with a college to host a short spring series at the ballpark to increase local economic activity and “heads on beds.”
The presentation underscored the city’s placemaking strategy that pairs facility upgrades with community and youth programming. Councilmembers and staff thanked players, volunteers and stadium authority members for their work.
