LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the Albany Athletics upon the
occasion of capturing the 2012 National Championship at the AABC World
Series

WHEREAS, Excellence and success in competitive sports can be achieved
only through strenuous practice, team play and team spirit, nurtured by
dedicated coaching and strategic planning; and
WHEREAS, Athletic competition enhances the moral and physical develop-
ment of people of this State, by instilling in them the value of team-
work, encouraging a standard of healthy living, imparting a desire for
success and developing a sense of fair play and competition; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is proud to congratulate the
Albany Athletics upon the occasion of capturing the 2012 National Cham-
pionship at the AABC World Series; and
WHEREAS, In existence since 1996, the Albany Athletics changed names
to the Athletics before the 2002 season; previously, the team was known
as the Albany Senators for 6 years; the team is affiliated with the
American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC) and competes in the Haack
Division of the Albany Twilight League; and
WHEREAS, Established in 1931, the Twilight League is a wood bat league
with players 18 years old and up; the league is primarily composed of
post-college and current college players from junior college to Division
I; and
WHEREAS, The three-time defending Twilight League Champion Albany
Athletics captured their first National Championship in dramatic fashion
at the 2012 AABC World Series in Port St. Lucie, Florida, when Dan
Barbero hit a walk-off three-run homerun in the bottom of the 9th inning
for a 7-5 victory over the Tampa Elite Rays; and
WHEREAS, The Athletics are the first Twilight League team and the
first AABC Upper New York State team to ever capture a National title
since the World Series started in 1935; the Athletics become only the
second team since 1977 from the North Atlantic Region to capture the
National World Series and the sixth North Atlantic team since the first
year of the AABC World Series; and
WHEREAS, The exceptional athletes of the Albany Athletics receive no
compensation; they are young men from the local community who play in
front of their family and friends for the love of the game; they are the
future educational, economic, and political leaders in their region,
whose achievements deserve to be recognized in order to help them become
positive role models to younger men and women in their community; and
WHEREAS, The athletic talent and success displayed and achieved by the
Albany Athletics is due in great part to the efforts of Head Coach Joe
Altieri, in his 17th season, and Assistant Coaches, John Kelly, Bill
Lawton, and Eric Biehler; skilled and inspirational leaders, respected
for their ability to develop athletic potential into excellence; and
WHEREAS, The Albany Athletics Championship team is also ably and
enthusiastically supported by their fans, friends, family and community;
and
WHEREAS, The hallmarks of the Albany Athletics, from the opening game
of the season to victory in the 2012 National Championship at the AABC
World Series, were a brotherhood of athletic ability, an unbeatable
combination of talents, and a dedication to winning that reflected
favorably on their team, league and community; and
WHEREAS, Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and
accomplishment; the Albany Athletics Team's outstanding athletes have

clearly made a contribution to the spirit of excellence which is their
tradition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the Albany Athletics upon the occasion of capturing the
2012 National Championship at the AABC World Series; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the members, management, coaches and staff of the Albany
Athletics.