Martin C. Barry
The Laval Regional Baseball Association and the Pirates 440 Chevrolet de Laval have unveiled their calendar of special events for the 2016 season. While announcing the schedule during a press conference on Tuesday, Baseball Laval also announced that Laval-based auto dealership 440 Laval Chevrolet will be the association’s lead partner for the next three seasons.
Uniforms rebranded
As part of the sponsorship deal, all the uniforms of the Laval baseball teams at the minor level will wear a crest bearing the logo of the car dealership. As well, the Méritas Gala at the end of the season will be called the Gala 440 Chevrolet de Laval.
“We are obviously very pleased by the involvement of 440 Laval Chevrolet,” said Richard St-Amour, Baseball Laval’s president. “It is significant and important for baseball in Laval.” In addition to the partnership, 440 Laval Chevrolet will be sponsoring the purchase of sweaters for players in the Challenger Baseball program, as well as in the community baseball program for youths at the Laval youth centre.
Pirates’ five-year agreement
At the same time, the Pirates de Laval announced that they have signed a five-year sponsorship agreement with 440 Chevrolet Laval. Effectively, the dealership will be the Pirates’ lead partner over the period and Laval’s junior elite baseball team will also be known as the Pirates 440 Chevrolet de Laval.
For the team’s president, Jacques Continelli, the agreement is a sign of major support for the Pirates. “I would like to thank this partner for their very precious support for our organization,” said Continelli. In the meantime, the junior AA team, which was known until now as the Associés de Laval, is also being renamed the Pirates de Laval. The name Associés de Laval will be used henceforth only by teams in the minor division.
Soirée Laval rain or shine
In terms of events this season, Baseball Laval and the Pirates will be holding their Soirée Laval on June 10 at the Paul Marcel Maheu Park stadium. “This evening will be a celebration of baseball in Laval when all the baseball players and all others who are involved will be gathered in one place in order to express pride in their sport,” said Continelli.
While the last two Soirée Laval events had to be cancelled because of rain, this year the organizers have agreed with the Quebec Junior Elite Baseball League that in case of rain it will be postponed to the following day. “This year we are innovating by using this evening to hold a collection of non-perishable goods,” added Continelli. “Since admission to the stadium will be free that evening, we invite people to bring non-perishable food items as the price of admission. We have reached an agreement with Moisson Laval who will be taking care of the collection.”
‘4 Chevaliers’ exhibition game
In keeping with tradition, the season opener for class A and B baseball in Laval will be taking place over the three-day long weekend of May 21, 22 and 23. “All the teams should be out playing a match on the grounds of the Centre de la nature on this opening weekend,” said Baseball Laval’s St-Amour. “There will even be a match with the Moustique AA team.” The Club de baseball de Laval-Est will be hosting.
On June 18 also at the Paul Marcel Maheu Park stadium, the Pirates 440 Chevrolet de Laval will be hosting a fundraising exhibition softball match shining a spotlight on a four-man ball team that’s been compared to basketball’s Harlem Globetrotters because of their expertise – the 4 Chevaliers. The 4 Chevaliers are considered to be virtually undefeatable on account of their incredible softball skills. Tony Loffreda, a Royal Bank senior executive for Quebec, has agreed to serve as honorary chair for the event which costs $100 per ticket and includes a wine and cheese tasting.
