2019 -- H 6141

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING ANDY ANDRADE, CHUCK PAIVA AND CHRIS PATSOS ON

BEING INDUCTED INTO THE GEORGE D. DONNELLY SUNSET LEAGUE CLASS OF

2018 HALL OF FAME

     Introduced By: Representatives Ruggiero, Cortvriend, Abney, Shekarchi, and Carson

     Date Introduced: May 22, 2019

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The George D. Donnelly Sunset League was started on July 28, 1919, as the

Sunset League by Dr. Peter Integlia of the Newport Entertainment Department. The League was

an immediate hit with the public, averaging more than 60,000 in total attendance annually in its

early years. The Sunset League is considered to be the oldest amateur baseball league in the

nation and recently celebrated its 100th anniversary; and

     WHEREAS, In 2018, Andy Andrade, Chuck Paiva and Chris Patsos were inducted into

the George D. Donnelly Sunset League Hall of Fame. Andy Andrade was a Player-Manager for

sixteen years with the Middletown Club. He was a consistent All-Star and a left-handed hitting

first basemen who provided a fearsome presence in the middle of the batting order. Thanks to his

leadership and prowess, his teams won consistently including a league championship. Later, he

was named the Head Baseball Coach at Salve Regina University and continued his successful

ways for the next fifteen years, winning multiple conference championships; and

     WHEREAS, Chuck Paiva came from Eckard College in Florida to play baseball in the

Sunset League in 1980. He stayed for twenty-one years as a player, manager, and League

President. As a player, he was an All-Star and won the League’s Cy Young Award in 1981. He

led his teams to numerous League Championship finals, winning the Championship in 1983,

1995, and 1998. He also served as Andy Andrade’s pitching coach at Salve Regina University

and together they were the co-directors of the Newport Baseball Academy for ten years; and

     WHEREAS, Chris Patsos came to the Sunset League from Florida Southern College. He

played the difficult and demanding catcher position and in his ten years with the Sunset League,

he was named an All-Star every year. He was a respected leader on the field and in the clubhouse,

who played superb defense and provided consistent offense. He helped lead his team to a league

championship, played in the esteemed Cape Cod League, played in two All-Star games at Fenway

Park against the Boston Park League, and was later inducted into the Boston Park League Hall of

Fame. Mr. Patsos was responsible for the creation of the Challenger baseball program for

physically and mentally challenged children on Aquidneck Island. He also served as a coach and

board member of the Newport Babe Ruth League for twenty years; and

     WHEREAS, Since their retirement from the Sunset League, Chuck Paiva and Chris

Patsos were named General Manager and Assistant General Manager, respectively, of the

Newport Gulls of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, and since 2001, the Gulls under

their leadership have been the most successful franchise in league history; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby congratulates Andy Andrade, Chuck Paiva and Chris Patsos on

being inducted into the George D. Donnelly Sunset League Class of 2018 Hall of Fame; and be it

further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Andy Andrade, Chuck Paiva and Chris Patsos.

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