Public Recognition/Celebrations/Events

Darnell honored for his community service

October 21, 2014

Rochester Red Wings starting pitcher Logan Darnell made significant contributions both on and off the baseball diamond in 2014. Along with combining on a no-hitter for the Red Wings and making his Major League debut with the Minnesota Twins, Darnell has been named co-winner of the John L. Seebach Volunteer Award as announced by the Federation of Social Workers. Darnell has been named a co-winner along with Larry and Jane Glazer.

Darnell, 25, will be honored at the 10th Annual Human Service Worker of the Year Awards Luncheon hosted by the Federation of Social Workers on November 7 at the Joseph Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center. Red Wings President/CEO/COO Naomi Silver will be accepting the award on behalf of Darnell.

“I am truly honored to receive this award,” said Darnell. “Giving back to the community is something that is very important to me, the Red Wings and the entire Twins organization. Rochester is a great baseball town and a wonderful place to call home during the summer months.”

In his second season with the Wings, the southpaw endeared himself to the Rochester community. Despite the rigors of a 144-game minor league baseball schedule — which includes just eight off days — Darnell made more than 15 appearances at various community events throughout the year — a number that easily led the team and made him the runaway winner as the Red Wings “Most Civic-Minded” player and the Twins Harmon Killebrew Award honoree for the Rochester club.

“Logan had to lead the league in community appearances this season,” said Red Wings General Manager Dan Mason. “He’s been a great ambassador for the Red Wings and the City of Rochester in his time here.”

The majority of Darnell’s appearances came at various local little leagues and camps. A few of his more notable appearances included the Challenger Baseball World Series held at Frontier Field, The Mary Cariola Children’s Center and The Dave Clark D3 event held at the ballpark in August.

Darnell, who went 7-6 with a 3.60 ERA in 23 games (19 starts) for Rochester, made his Major League debut with the Twins on May 6 this season. He also combined with Trevor May on the 22nd no-hitter in Rochester franchise history, throwing the final six innings on August 11 vs. Durham.

Other notable award recipients at this year’s luncheon include RPD Officer Daryl Pierson and his partner Officer Mike DiPaola (Human Service Worker Courage Award) and New York State Lieutenant Governor Robert J. Duffy (Human Service Worker Lifetime Achievement Award).

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Rochester Red Wings. Click here to view the original story.

GM Jason Compton honored by local Chamber, Jackson Sun

October 20, 2014

Compton named to top 40 under 40 in West Tennessee for contributions

On Sunday, the Jackson Sun and the Jackson Chamber of Commerce recognized 40 people under the age of 40 who are making significant contributions to their industries, their companies or who are active in the community and have a heart and drive to make West Tennessee a better place. The Generals congratulate each award winner and are excited that Generals’ GM Jason Compton was named to the exclusive list.

“We are so proud of Jason being honored in this manner,” added team President Reese Smith III. “His ability to rise from an Intern to General Manager of a multi-million dollar organization is evident. His management enabled the Generals to have one of their most successful seasons on record, in 2014.”

Compton began as an intern with the then West Tenn Diamond Jaxx during the 2000 Southern Championship Season and was hired full-time in 2001 as Box Office Manager. He did various jobs within the organization until promoted to Assistant GM in 2008, and then to GM in 2012.

“I have been a part of professional baseball in Jackson for 15 seasons and this past season the Generals saw a 13.5 percent increase in attendance over 2013,” said Compton. “It was the highest attendance since 2008 and had more crowds over 5,000 (six times) people since 2004.”

Compton is a 2013 Leadership Jackson graduate and member of the Leadership Jackson Alumni Association. He is also a member of the Jackson Old Hickory Rotary Club.

Compton, 35, has a B.S. in Education with his major in Sport Management from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He resides in Jackson with his wife of nine years, Autumn, son Carter (5 years old) and daughter Chloe (2 years old).

Season ticket packages for the 2015 Jackson Generals season are currently on sale for just $300. For more information, call (731) 988-5299 or visit the website at jacksongeneralsbaseball.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Jackson Generals. Click here to view the original story.

Safe & Seen trick-or-treat event set for Oct. 26

October 15, 2014

3rd annual kids Halloween event at Medlar Field

The State College Spikes, Centre LifeLink EMS and B94.5 FM are once again teaming up to present this year’s safest and most fun children’s trick-or-treating event in the State College area.

The Third Annual Safe & Seen in the Ballpark will take place on Sunday, October 26 from 4-6 p.m. at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, the home of the Spikes. This free admission event is designed for young trick-or-treaters and their parents and will include many fun activities for children and their families.

Each child is invited to wear his or her favorite Halloween costume and bring their bag or bucket to be filled by area non-profit agencies or community supporters stationed throughout the ballpark. Trick-or-treaters will be invited to go “door to door” to visit each participating group to collect treats and other fun items.

Families can also enjoy ambulance tours, fall crafts, kids games, meet and greets with Spikes mascots and more. The event will be held rain or shine as most of activities and trick-or-treat stations will be under cover.

Anyone attending the event is encouraged, but not required, to bring a donation for Centre LifeLink EMS in support of their life-saving services.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the State College Spikes. Click here to view the original story.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk is Saturday at Fifth Third Field

October 14, 2014

The 2014 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk will take place at Fifth Third Field on Saturday, October 18 starting at 8:00 a.m.

This event is part of a national fundraising effort. In 2013, over 1 million walkers across the country collected more than $60 million to help fight this disease.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. The Dragons website, www.daytondragons.com, has gone pink in October in support of efforts by Kettering Health Network to increase Breast Cancer awareness in the Miami Valley.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women between ages 40 and 55. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and a life is lost to the disease every 14 minutes. And while the breast cancer diagnosis rate has increased, there has been a steady drop in the overall breast cancer death rate since the early 1990’s.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Dayton Dragons. Click here to view the original story.

Martie Cordaro Named Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year at Awards Ceremony

October 10, 2014

At the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet at Embassy Suites in La Vista Thursday evening, Omaha Storm Chasers President and General Manager Martie Cordaro was named the 2014 Business Leader of the Year.

It was the first such honor for Cordaro, who was unable to be in attendance to personally accept the award with the Pacific Coast League Fall Meetings taking place in Chicago this week. It is the second time in six years an Omaha Royals/Storm Chasers Executive has been named the Business Leader of the Year, as former team President Alan Stein was honored in 2009.

“I am truly humbled and this award shows all the hard work by our staff in the four short years at Werner Park right here in beautiful Sarpy County,” said Cordaro in his taped message played at the ceremony. “Congratulations to all the nominees in this crowded field. I am speechless, which doesn’t happen very often. Let’s go out and continue to make Sarpy County the place to live in all of Nebraska.”

The Business Leader of the Year nomination field also included Russ Daub, Margaret White, Dan Zongkers and Tom Greco.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Omaha Storm Chasers. Click here to view the original story.

Blue Rocks honored with Minker Award

October 8, 2014

Community service award is named after Wilmington team’s founder

The Wilmington Blue Rocks were honored by the Carolina League on Wednesday with the Matt Minker Community Service Award, which goes to the club that best demonstrates an outstanding, on-going commitment to charitable service, support, and leadership within its community. The award is named after the Blue Rocks’ founder, who owned the club until his death in 2007. Minker, whose construction company also built Frawley Stadium, is still the team’s honorary president. It is the first year the title has been awarded to an entire organization, after going to individual players since its inception in 2009.

“Matt Minker was instrumental in laying the foundation for the Blue Rocks and for the franchise’s success in the years to follow,” said Blue Rocks general manager Chris Kemple. “It is fitting and appropriate that this honor bears his name and we are absolutely privileged to be the first organizational recipient.”

The Blue Rocks won the award thanks in large part to their numerous school programs, charitable endeavors and hospital visits.

As an organization the Blue Rocks work with area schools to promote academic achievement (Rocky’s Reading Challenge), citizenship (Outstanding Student Program), and active lifestyles (Titus Sports Champions Physical Health Program). The team helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for good causes through partnerships with Habitat For Humanity, Boys & Girls Clubs of DE, Fight for the Gold, Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition and many other charities in 2014. It also contributed school supplies to the Red Clay School Consolidated School District during the Remax Stuff the Bus Campaign and donated thousands of tickets to other worthy community programs. Several times each season the team also visited the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital For Children, brightening the spirits of that facility’s patients and their families.

“We could not accomplish much of what we do without the partnership and cooperation of our players and the Kansas City Royals organization,” said Blue Rocks director of community affairs Kevin P. Linton. “Their commitment to community fits perfectly with the vision that Matt Minker set forth for the Blue Rocks franchise and that we continue to follow to this day.”

Community service is so engrained within the organization that three of the five times the award was presented to individual players it went to Blue Rocks. Everett Teaford was the inaugural winner in 2009 and was followed by Tim Melville in 2011 and Whit Merrifield in 2012.

As the Carolina League’s recipient of the Matt Minker Award, the Blue Rocks received the eight-team league’s automatic nomination for the John Henry Moss Community Service Award, given out by Minor League Baseball at its annual national convention, to be held this December in San Diego.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Wilmington Blue Rocks. Click here to view the original story.

Inaugural FUNNER-Ween to Spook Bowling Green Ballpark on October 26

October 7, 2014

Free Halloween Event Includes Candy, Contests, Games, and More

With temperatures taking a dip and leaves changing color, Halloween is officially approaching us. The Bowling Green Hot Rods will celebrate the spookiest of holidays by holding FUNNER-Ween at Bowling Green Ballpark on Sunday, October 26. The free event will run from 2-4 p.m., and it will include candy, games, costume contests, and more.

“Halloween is a great way for us to stay involved with the community,” said Hot Rods Assistant General Manager Ben Hemmen. “Our staff has done a great job staying active through numerous off-season appearances, but we’re excited to be bringing this free event to the ballpark. It will be a fantastic get-together for all of South-Central Kentucky.”

FUNNER-Ween will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 26, and the free event will run through 4 p.m. Families are encouraged to dress in their Halloween attire, as there will be costume contests for all people of all ages. Don’t forget your furry friend either, dogs are welcome and there will be a separate contest for pooches. Candy will be handed out to kids in a “trick by seat” format. Season ticket holders are encouraged to enjoy the event from their seat and hand out candy to the youngsters.

Pumpkin stencils will be handed out to guests upon entry, and merchandise specials will be available all afternoon. Kids will be able participate in a zombie walk on the field, a candy security checkpoint will be available for safe eating, and Axle’s candy bag dash will give kids the opportunity to win even more candy. The Bowling Green Ballpark concourse will also be filled with more games, a prize wheel, and face painters/balloon artists. Things may get a bit messy when the Halloween cupcake eating contest takes place.

The Hot Rods welcome any community organizations and businesses who would like to hand out candy at the event. To get involved, those interested are encouraged to contact Ben Hemmen directly at 270-495-6017, or by email via ben@bghotrods.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Bowling Green Hot Rods. Click here to view the original story.

Squirrels Nominated For John Henry Moss Community Service Award

October 7, 2014

Richmond Tabbed by Eastern League for Award in 5th Season

The Richmond Flying Squirrels, Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, are pleased to announce that the organization has been nominated by the Eastern League of Professional Baseball Clubs for the 2014 John Henry Moss Community Service Award. The league nominates just one team for the award, presented annually by Minor League Baseball.

The John Henry Moss Community Service Award is bestowed upon a club that demonstrates an outstanding, on-going commitment to charitable service, support and leadership within their local community and within the baseball industry.

Community impact has been a foundational focal point for the Squirrels since their inception in 2010. The Squirrels’ nomination comes following a season in which they continued to expand many of their community aims. That included the launch of the Squirrels’ new non-profit arm, Flying Squirrels Charities, created with the goal of growing opportunities for local children. The first major fundraising campaign for Flying Squirrels Charities was “Smooch-a-Pig,” which included the involvement of 10 local celebrities and benefitted “Operation Renovation.” The campaign, which endeavored to rebuild 12 little league fields for the Richmond City Department of Parks & Recreation, raised over $60,000.

“There are many awards that the Squirrels as an organization would be delighted to receive,” said Flying Squirrels’ Vice President & COO Todd “Parney” Parnell. “However, this nomination is of particular significance to us. Community service is the bedrock of the Squirrels’ organization, and it is gratifying that our sustained effort continues to have a profound impact.”

The Squirrels continue to be one of the most active teams in professional sports within their community. Among their other programs and highlights:

“Go Nuts for Reading Program (39,000 student participants)
Flying Squirrels Art Contest (5^th Year)
Score an “A”, Score a Ticket Program
Kroger Squirrels Tails Kids Club (24,000 Members)
In-Season Youth Camps
Drives (Food, Books, School Supplies, Blood)
Mustaches for Kids Program
Ed Randall’s Bat for the Cure
Charitable Events (Turn Left Golf Classic, Hot Stove Banquet, Nutzy’s Rotary Funn Run, Squirreloween, Puritan Cleaners Coats for Kids Drive, etc.)
450 Mascot Appearances Annually (Local Schools, Businesses, Non-Profits, Festivals, etc.)
30 Player and Coaches Appearances During the 2014 Season (200+ Hours of Community Service)
Executive Speaking Engagements (100+ in 2014)
ASK Fun Walk & 5K (Ask Foundation – 9^th Annual)
Camp Warrior
Flying Squirrels Regional Youth Baseball Tournament
Monetary Gifts & Gifts In-Kind ($150,000)

The John Henry Moss Community Service Award is named after the longtime, former South Atlantic League president, who founded the SAL and presided over it for a half-century (1959-2008).

The John Henry Moss Community Service Award will be presented at the Baseball Winter Meetings, which will be held in San Diego, CA, from December 7-11.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Richmond Flying Squirrels. Click here to view the original story.

Fifth Third Field to Host Walk to End Alzheimer’s

October 6, 2014

Fifth Third Field will host the Walk to End Alzheimer’s^® on Saturday, October 11th. Check-in for the event begins at 8:30 a.m. on October 11. Opening Ceremonies begin at 10:00 a.m. and the walk will start at 10:15 a.m.

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s^® is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. In 2013, more than 42,000 teams participated in nearly 650 walks across the United States, raising more than $55 million. The Walk provides a means for participants to learn more about Alzheimer’s and become involved in the cause.

Each walker may participate in a ceremony to honor those affected by Alzheimer’s. Walkers will also have the opportunity to have team photographs taken.

A City of Dayton water truck will be on site and walkers may bring a water bottle to refill. Healthy snacks will be available.

Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. One-out-of-three senior citizens dies of Alzheimer’s. More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Dayton Dragons. Click here to view the original story.

Shibuya recipient of Twins’ Killebrew Award

October 2, 2014

Miracle pitcher shows versatility on and off the field in 2014

In September, the Minnesota Twins announced that pitcher Tim Shibuya was selected as the Harmon Killebrew Award for Community Service recipient for the Fort Myers Miracle in 2014.

Shibuya, 25, was a 23rd round draft pick of the Twins in 2011 out of the University of California-San Diego. Shibuya participated in multiple youth baseball camps as an instructor and also appeared at numerous events in Lee and Collier County throughout the season.

“It was great having Tim join us on appearances this past season,” said Miracle Manager of Community Relations Ashley Adams. “He is a hands-on, personable and active with kids. Tim makes the time with the Miracle memorable for them and our staff too.”

On the field, Shibuya posted a 7-4 record with a 3.64 earned run average in 28 games, 10 starts. Tossing a total of 89 innings, Shibuya walked just 11 hitters and tallied 59 strikeouts. In his minor league career, Shibuya has made 74 appearances and has a career ERA at 3.62.

The Killebrew Award honors the long time Twins great and Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew. Each season, the General Manager and Field Manager of the four full-season affiliates nominate a candidate that best exemplified the compassion and spirit of Killebrew through work in the local community.

Former Miracle pitcher Logan Darnell was the recipient for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. Tony Thomas was awarded the honor for the Double-A New Britain Rock Cats and Tanner Vavra the winner for the Single-A Cedar Rapids Kernels.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Fort Myers Miracle. Click here to view the original story.

Cozens Among Phillies “Step-Up” Service Honorees

October 1, 2014

Phillies minor leaguers were presented with the Step-Up Community Service Award by Phillies Assistant General Manager Benny Looper and Director of Baseball Administration Susan Ingersoll Papaneri. (Miles Kennedy, Philadelphia Phillies)

Former BlueClaws players were honored before a weekend Phillies game as part of the organization’s Step-Up Community Service Program.

The award is given to players in the Phillies Minor League system who have shown leadership through community service. The awards will be presented by Benny Looper, Assistant GM, Player Personnel and Susan Ingersoll Papaneri, Director, Baseball Administration.

OF Dylan Cozens was recognized from the BlueClaws roster this year. Among his service included the Bowling With the BlueClaws charity fundraising event, volunteering at the BlueClaws Youth Baseball Camps, and more.

Other honorees included Lehigh Valley RHP Tyler Knigge (2011 BlueClaw), Reading IF Carlos Alonso (2011 BlueClaw), Clearwater 1B Art Charles (2013 BlueClaw) and LHP Ethan Stewart (2012 BlueClaw) and Williamsport RHP Mitch Guellar.

Also pictured is Phillies pitcher David Buchanan (2011 BlueClaw) who did a significant amount of charity volunteer work with Lehigh Valley and the Phillies after his call-up.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lakewood BlueClaws. Click here to view the original story.

Race for the Cure at Fluor Field on Saturday

September 25, 2014

Registration begins at 6:30 AM; Race begins at 8:00 AM

What: 20th Annual SC Mountains to Midlands Race for the Cure
When: Saturday, September 27, 2014
Where: Fluor Field, Home of the Greenville Drive in downtown Greenville, SC
Online Race for the Cure registration has closed, but you can still register at Fluor Field on Friday, September 26th from 11am-7pm and Saturday September 27th starting at 6:30 AM. The race begins at 8:00 AM. Celebrate 20 years of local giving with Susan G. Komen and SC Mountains to Midlands this Saturday, September 27!

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Greenville Drive. Click here to view the original story.

Charlotte Business Journal Honors Knights & BB&T Ballpark With Two Awards

September 25, 2014

The Knights welcomed 696,601 fans through the gates in 2014. (Jon Strayhorn)

The Charlotte Business Journal named the Charlotte Knights among their inaugural Heavy Hitters Commercial Real Estate award winners earlier this week. The Knights were honored with the Economic Development Award for New & Existing Industry and the Top Hospitality/Entertainment Development Award. Members of the Charlotte Knights staff will accept the awards on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte.

“We are very honored to be the recipient of these prestigious awards,” said Charlotte Knights Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer Dan Rajkowski. “We are very proud of BB&T Ballpark and very appreciative of the support we have received from the Greater Charlotte Region and our fans throughout our inaugural season.”

The awards honor the best commercial real estate deals and developments across the region from June 30, 2013, to July 1, 2014. The winners were selected by a panel of industry experts working in combination with the Charlotte Business Journal staff.

BB&T Ballpark, which opened its gates on Friday, April 11, 2014, was the most visited Minor League Baseball venue this season. Including the Triple-A National Championship Game, the Knights welcomed 696,601 fans during their inaugural season in Uptown Charlotte — leading all of Minor League Baseball in attendance. The ballpark also welcomes thousands of additional guests year-round with events such as Charlotte BeerFest, the Toshiba trade show, and the City of Charlotte’s Back To School Day.

The Charlotte Knights will begin their second season at BB&T Ballpark on Thursday, April 9 with their 2015 home opener against the Norfolk Tides (Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles). Season tickets are currently available and fans can purchase tickets online at charlotteknights.com, by phone at 704-274-8282, or in person at the BB&T Ballpark Ticket Office.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Charlotte Knights. Click here to view the original story.

Hooks Earn Community Service Nomination

September 25, 2014

The Hooks have earned the Texas League’s nomination for the John H. Moss Community Service Award, presented annually to a minor league team for its commitment to charitable service and support within the community and baseball industry.

In 2014, the Hooks continued their long-standing community initiatives and took on new initiatives. Whataburger Youth Sports Day stood out as the newest addition. At every April and May Sunday game, youth baseball leagues from around South Texas received free game tickets and participated in a pre-game parade around the warning track. Over 4,100 tickets were distributed among eight organizations.

Some of the longer running programs that continued in 2014 included the Get Hooked on Reading program, the Stripes Diamond and the South Texas Winter Baseball Banquet.

“One of the telling indicators of a club’s successful integration in their community is their commitment to good works,” Texas League President Tom Kayser said. “The breadth of the Hooks giving in the greater Corpus Christi area is stunning. With the willing cooperation of the Houston Astros, the Hooks have long been known to involve their players in a wide range of wonderful causes. Additionally, the Hooks and their staff have worked with a variety of causes, organizations and institutions that has resulted in wide ranging benefits to untold numbers of area residents.”

The team’s oldest initiative is the Get Hooked on Reading program, started in 2004 and sponsored by Flint Hills Resources, which encourages children in grades one through eight to read during the summer months. The Stripes Diamond gives youth teams a chance to play at Whataburger Field. Located beyond the center field fence, the diamond has hosted over 540 squads, including 36 in 2014.

The largest off-field baseball event in the Coastal Bend, the South Texas Winter Baseball Banquet serves as the unofficial “first pitch” to high school baseball each winter. The event features recognition for high school baseball and softball players, college baseball players, pros and a lifetime achievement award recipient. Growing year after year, the annual dinner attracted over 700 attendees in 2014.

In addition to these community projects, the Hooks also participate in several fundraisers throughout the year, including AT&T Shirt off the Back Night and the Grande Grand Prize Game.

Shirt off the Back Night takes place during the final homestand of each season and postgame player jerseys are raffled off to fans, who receive one ticket upon entry with the opportunity to purchase more. The money raised from additional raffle ticket purchases is then distributed to a non-profit organization.

The Grand Prize Game, sponsored by Grande Communications, occurs once a month during the season. By purchasing a baseball for one dollar, fans have a chance to win or share $1,000 if they can chuck the ball into a wine barrel from the stands. Like Shirt off the Back Night, proceeds from this promotion also benefit a non-profit.

Each minor league may nominate one of its teams for the award and the nominees are then reviewed by the MiLB Awards Committee, with recommendations being presented to MiLB senior management for a final decision.

The community service award’s namesake, John H. Moss, founded the South Atlantic League in 1957 and served as its president for 50 years. The Grand Junction Rockies earned the inaugural honor last season.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Corpus Christi Hooks. Click here to view the original story.

Blue Jays honor Taylor Cole & Stubby Clapp

September 24, 2014

RHP gets commmunity service award, hitting coach wins Mattick

The Toronto Blue Jays announced their organizational award winners earlier today, and Dunedin’s RHP Taylor Cole and Hitting Coach Stubby Clapp each received tremendous honors. Cole has been named the winner of the Community Service Award, and Clapp will receive the Bobby Mattick Award for excellence in player development.

RHP Taylor Cole has been named this year’s winner of the Community Service Award. The 25 year-old right-hander was exceptionally active in the Blue Jays initiative programs serving youth. Among the programs Taylor participated in were the team’s annual Bookin’ it to the Ballpark reading program and summer Kickball Tour: a health and wellness initiative promoting an active lifestyle among kids of all ages at various summer camps. Additionally, Taylor led a group of teammates in a “Toys for Tots” shopping spree in support of the non-profit organization. Warm-hearted and selfless in his volunteerism, Taylor was always willing to answer a litany of questions from kids in an earnest manner, and took the extra time to sign last minute autographs in the classroom, at the ballpark and wherever fans could be found. In his words, “It’s our responsibility to give back, as so many have done for us.” On the diamond, Cole led all of minor league baseball with 171 strikeouts this past season.

Stubby Clapp is being recognized as this year’s recipient of the Bobby Mattick Award for excellence in Player Development. Born in Windsor, Ontario, Stubby has spent the last two seasons as the Hitting Coach in Dunedin (A). A member of Canada’s 1999 Pan American Games team, 2004 Canada Olympic team and 2006 World Baseball Classic club, Clapp spent 11 seasons playing professionally, including 23 games for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2001. Clapp started his coaching career in 2008 in the Astros system, highlighted by a division crown with Tri City (A) serving as the teams Manager. Stubby was influential in the development of several key Blue Jays farmhands over the past two seasons and his dedication each and every day makes the award richly deserved. During the past season alone, C Derrick Chung, SS Jorge Flores, 1B K.C. Hobson, 3B Gustavo Pierre, RF Matt Newman and CF Dalton Pompey all earned promotions to Double-A and beyond after working with Clapp in Dunedin.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Dunedin Blue Jays. Click here to view the original story.