[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 3, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E507]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LEGACY OF THE VISALIA RAWHIDE

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                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 3, 2025

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of the 
Visalia Rawhide in commemoration of their 80th Professional Minor 
League Season.
  The historical heritage of baseball in Visalia begins in the early 
days of 1873. The newly organized Empire Club represented Visalia and 
played their first baseball game against Bakersfield's team, The Two 
Orphans.
  This historic game was played on the school playground of Visalia 
Normal School located at Willis and Acequia Streets, which was enriched 
with the sounds of Bakerfield's brass band to sweeten the occasion. 
Although the first game ended in the Empire Club's first loss, the 
comradery of baseball sparked enthusiasm within the City of Visalia, 
which led them to continue the sport for more than 100 years after.
  The fever of baseball had spread like wildfire by 1899 which led to 
the San Joaquin Valley Baseball League being formed. It was operated 
independently and contained city group members such as Visalia, 
Bakersfield, Hanford, Merced, Selma, Porterville and Tulare. The City 
of Fresno joined in 1910, but the baseball league was dismembered by 
1911 to become individual minor league teams.
  The Visalia Empire Club had gone through a time of transition from a 
Class D Minor League Baseball Team to Class C by 1946. Eventually the 
change from Class C to Class A was instituted by 1975, Class A to Class 
A-Advanced by 1990 and eventually entered the Single-A class in 2021.
  The minor league baseball team had gone through nine name changes, 
aligning with their major league affiliations. By 2009, the team had 
been rebranded as the Visalia Rawhide and would maintain this name 
until present day. Playing under the Major League affiliate, the 
Arizona Diamondbacks, the Visalia Rawhide name had quickly become 
popular throughout the community. It is believed to have secured the 
professional baseball team's home in Visalia, California where they had 
played their games at Valley Strong Ballpark since inception in 1946.
  Being the only professional sports team in Tulare and King's County, 
Visalia Rawhide paid tribute to the vast agricultural industry in the 
area. The decision to elect a cow as the official team mascot created 
the fan favorite cheer that is symbolized with the glorious ringing of 
a cowbell.

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