CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced the Bristol State Liners as the 2023 Lee Landers Community Service Award recipient. The Lee Landers Community Service Award is presented to the club that demonstrates an outstanding, ongoing commitment to charitable service, support and leadership within their local community and the baseball industry.
“The Bristol State Liners are extremely honored to be the 2023 Lee Landers Community Service Award winner,” said Bristol general manager Mahlon Luttrell. “We feel that this award is the epitome of all of the great awards that are given out each year and helps to solidify one of our goals that we strive to achieve daily, which is Service before Self. We also want to congratulate all of the other award winners of the 2023 season.”
The Bristol State Liners and Bristol Baseball, Inc. staff contributed $994,730 in cash and in-kind services through Aug. 31, along with 4,787 volunteer hours to various community organizations.
Among the State Liners’ many charitable endeavors this season, the organization hosted local players from the Bristol Challenger League, participated in the Rivers Way Walk-a-Thon and volunteered at the Area 10 Bowling Special Olympics. On June 27, Bristol’s staff and players wore specialty purple State Liners t-shirts to encourage awareness and support the Alzheimer’s Association.
The State Liners contributed to organizations such as Family of Promise of Bristol and Haven of Rest Rescue Mission. They supported local Bristol initiatives and groups, including the Isaiah 117 House, the Knights of Columbus and the Optimist Club. Bristol was again a leader through their work with local youth sports and academic groups, including the YMCA Kids and Boys and Girls Clubs and Upward Bound.
State Liners players read to students at Bristol Public Library on multiple occasions this season and celebrated the students who were the top readers in their summer programs in an on-field ceremony. State Liners players also helped with meal preparation and delivery at Fellowship Church.
Lee Landers served as the Appalachian League president from 1996-2018 and passed away on May 17, 2021. Lee always placed others first and encouraged all clubs and staff to become involved and give back to their communities. Lee's involvement over the years included Roman Cultural Society, Jaycees, Police Benevolent Association, D.A.R.E, Senior Olympics Board, Baseball Chapel, American Heart Association and Springfield Chamber of Commerce.
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