Domino inducted into the JA Berks County Business Hall of Fame

Reading, PA – Chuck Domino, a 26-year veteran of the baseball business, was inducted into the Berks County Business Hall of Fame on March 12, 2008 at the annual dinner for Junior Achievement. Domino is the President of the Double-A Reading Phillies, its non-profit entity Baseballtown Charities and the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Both teams play in the Philadelphia Phillies farm system. 

The honor was presented to Domino by the Greater Reading/Lehigh Valley Chapter of Junior Achievement. Junior Achievement is a national organization that uses hands-on experiences to help young people understand the economics of life. In partnership with business and educators, Junior Achievement brings the real world to students, opening their minds to their potential (www.ja.org).

As General Manager of the R-Phils from 1988-2006, Domino led the franchise to numerous awards and attendance records while garnering a slew of personal awards. On March 4, 2002 he took on the leadership of Baseballtown Charities and on September 5, 2006 he took on the role of President with both Reading and the IronPigs. The IronPigs begin their inaugural season in April.

In the R-Phils 41 seasons in the Eastern League they’ve led the circuit in average and/or overall attendance 15 times. Nine of the clubs attendance titles have come under Domino’s watch, including the last six years. 

In 2007 Reading’s FirstEnergy Stadium became the first ballpark in the modern Minor Leagues that has never been home to a Triple-A franchise to welcome its 10 millionth fan. FirstEnergy Stadium, which opened for professional baseball in 1951, has seen 7.3 million of those fans come since Domino’s arrival in 1988. 

Since its inception in 2002, Baseballtown Charities has raised almost one million dollars to give children who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity, a chance to play baseball, learn valuable life skills and begin a healthy lifestyle. Baseballtown Charities’ most notable effort to date is the building of Gordon Hoodak Stadium at Lauer’s Park, a youth baseball stadium built in the heart of inner-city Reading. 

In 2003 the Reading Phillies were presented the John H. Johnson Trophy by Minor League Baseball, the game’s highest honor. Minor League Baseball has also honored Reading with its Larry MacPhail Trophy for promotional excellence in 1999 and 1994. 

National publications Baseball America and The Sporting News have also recognized the Reading Phillies success. In 2003 Baseball America named Domino its National Minor League Baseball Executive of the Year. The magazine presented Reading with its Bob Freitas Award in 2000 and 1991. In 1998 Domino was The Sporting News’ Minor League Executive of the Year and its Executive of the year for Double-A in 1989. 

Domino has been named Eastern League Executive of the Year four times with Reading: 2006, 1997, 1989 and 1988.
Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Domino is a 1978 graduate of Mt. Lebanon High School and a 1982 graduate of St. Thomas University, Miami Gardens, FL (formerly Biscayne College). 

This story was posted on March 13, 2008