Pendergraft, who recently completed her first season as GM and her seventh with the club, led the organization to a highly successful 2013.
The Rawhide recorded the third highest attendance in franchise history, despite playing 20 home games in over 100-degree heat – the hottest season in 30 years in Visalia.
The ballclub also hosted over 50 non-game events at Recreation Ballpark in 2013 (a new club record), including IrishFest, Oktoberfest, Wish Upon a Star’s BraveFest, a video game tournament and many others.
In the community, Pendergraft spearheaded the Rawhide’s leadership role, helping to create the Character Counts program, which provided the framework for players speaking to more than 3,000 kids. She also established a Mentorship Program for the development of players’ public speaking skills. Meanwhile, the Host Family program that she created several years ago once again had 100 percent of players living with host families.
The honor continues an award-filled 15 months for the Rawhide, who were named California League Organization of the Year in 2012 and Visalia Medium Business of the Year in 2013. Team President Tom Seidler was also California League Executive of the Year in 2012.