Image of Valley Strong Ballpark via Visalia Rawhide.

Visalia Rawhide baseball fans will attend a stadium with a new name after a local credit union purchased naming rights to the ballpark.

Beginning next month, Visalia’s Recreation Ballpark will be known as Valley Strong Ballpark. The Bakersfield-based credit union signed a 10-year contract for the naming rights. They would not disclose the dollar amount of the sale.

Valley Strong Credit Union saw it as an opportunity to connect with the community during their expansion into Tulare and Kings counties, said Jim Lawitz, media relations representative for Valley Strong Credit Union.

“What better way to connect with our new community than to let the community know there is a valued partnership between the Visalia Rawhide and Valley Strong Credit Union?” Lawitz said.

The credit union currently has one branch in Tulare and one branch in Visalia, in addition to branches in Bakersfield, Delano and Tehachapi. A press release stated they have plans to open an additional three branches in the next couple years.

The deal will help the Rawhide expand events at the ballpark, the release stated, including festivals and fireworks shows. Valley Strong’s mascot, Rocky Raccoon, will throw out the first pitch for the season opener, May 4, against the Lake Elsinore Storm.

“We cannot wait to welcome fans back to our ballpark, Valley Strong Ballpark, which now carries a name that truly represents our wonderful community,” said Sim Sigal, Rawhide president and co-owner.