Baseball America announced today that the winner of the 2012 Bob Freitas Award for the A Level classification was the Greenville Drive.

"The Greenville Drive is a great example of a franchise committing to a downtown partnership with a new facility, unique ballpark features and amenities as well as affordable family entertainment. We are pleased to recognize the Greenville Drive as the 2012 Bob Freitas Award winner for the A Level classification in minor league baseball," said Lee Folger,President/Publisher of Baseball America.

Since 1989, Baseball America has recognized excellence in minor league franchise operations with the Bob Freitas Awards at the Winter Meetings. The awards are named after Bob Freitas, the storied long-time minor league baseball operator, promoter and ambassador, who passed away in 1989.

The Bob Freitas Awards are designed to recognize the long-term excellence of minor league operations. Franchises are not eligible for nomination until their fifth season of existence. The criteria for evaluation include the following: Community involvement, Long-term business success, Consistent operational excellence.

The Bob Freitas Awards winners are announced in the Baseball America end of year special Awards issue, cover date December 12th. The awards are presented to the winning organizations at the annual Baseball Winter Meetings. The special Awards issue mails this week to subscribers and will appear on newsstands soon.