Press Release by USA Baseball

DURHAM, N.C. – USA Baseball released its 60-man midseason Golden Spikes Award watch list on Thursday, bringing the organization one step closer to naming the top amateur baseball player in the country.

The watch list will continue to be a “rolling” list until May 28 — when the 30 semifinalists for the award are announced — ensuring that athletes can play themselves into consideration for the award. The Golden Spikes Award trophy will be awarded live on MLB Network for the third year in a row, with a live presentation scheduled during The Rundown on Friday, July 19. Through USA Baseball’s partnership with MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM), the presentation will also be simulcast with a live stream available from GoldenSpikesAward.com and USABaseball.com.

Twenty-eight new players were added to the list since its initial release on February 14, joining 32 others from the original watch list. The Southeastern Conference led all conferences in watch-list players, placing 11 on the midseason update, while Georgia Tech and Louisiana State each placed three players on the list. Louisiana State infielder Alex Bregman and Cal State Fullerton right-handed pitcher Thomas Eshelman, the only two freshmen on the list, both played their way onto the midseason watch list with strong freshman campaigns. Among the 60 are six 2012 Golden Spikes Award semifinalists, including two of last year’s finalists, Mark Appel (RHP, senior, Stanford) and Carlos Rodon (LHP, sophomore, North Carolina State).

USA Baseball officials will announce the 30 semifinalists for the 2013 Golden Spikes Award on Tuesday, May 28. The list of 30 will then be sent to a voting body consisting of past USA Baseball National Team coaches and press officers, members of media that closely follow the amateur game, select professional baseball personnel, and current USA Baseball staff, representing a group of more than 200 voters in total.

Fan voting will once again be a part of the Golden Spikes Award in 2013. Tuesday, May 28, marks the day when amateur baseball fans from across the country will be able to vote for their favorite semifinalist on GoldenSpikesAward.com. As part of this selection process all voters will be asked to choose three players from the list of 30 names. On Tuesday, June 4, USA Baseball will announce the three finalists, and voting will once again commence that same day.

USA Baseball partnered with MLBAM to create GoldenSpikesAward.com in 2008. Later that year, Florida State’s Buster Posey was presented the award at MLB All-Star FanFest in New York City. Stephen Strasburg of San Diego States won the award in 2009 in St. Louis, and Bryce Harper of Southern Nevada took home the trophy from Anaheim, Calif., in 2010. UCLA’s Trevor Bauer was the 2011 winner and Florida’s Mike Zunino won the 2012 award. Bauer and Zunino accepted their trophies as part of live presentations from MLB Network’s Studio 42.

Other past winners of the Golden Spikes Award include Terry Francona (1980), Will Clark (1985), Robin Ventura (1988), Jason Varitek (1994), J.D. Drew (1997), Mark Prior (2001), Jered Weaver (2004), Tim Lincecum (2006) and David Price (2007).

Important 2013 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award dates include:

• Thursday, Feb. 14: 50-man preseason watch list released, shaped by USA Baseball officials and advisors
• Thursday, May 2: 60-man midseason watch list released, shaped by USA Baseball officials and advisors
• Tuesday, May 28: 30 semifinalists announced, selected by USA Baseball officials; semifinalist voting begins; voters to select three
• Friday, May 31: Deadline to vote for finalists, 5 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, June 4: Three finalists announced; finalist voting begins; voters to select one
• Friday, June 14: Deadline to vote for winner, 5 p.m. ET
• Friday, July 19: Live Golden Spikes Award presentation airing on MLB Network’s The Rundown

The complete 2013 midseason Golden Spikes Award Watch List is as follows:

Name, Position, Class, School, Conference (in order of last name, new players bolded)

Chris Anderson, RHP, Junior, Jacksonville, Atlantic Sun
Mark Appel, RHP, Senior, Stanford, Pac-12
Barrett Astin, RHP, Junior, Arkansas, SEC
Michael Bass, IF, Senior, UNC-W, Colonial Athletic
Tyler Beede, RHP, Sophomore, Vanderbilt, SEC
Aaron Blair, RHP, Junior, Marshall, C-USA
Matt Boyd, LHP, Senior, Oregon State, Pac-12
Alex Bregman, IF, Freshman, Louisiana State, SEC
Kris Bryant, UTL, Junior, San Diego, West Coast
Danny Collins, OF, Junior, Troy, Sun Belt
Michael Conforto, OF, Sophomore, Oregon State, Pac-12
Kyle Crockett, LHP, Junior, Virginia, ACC
LB Dantzler, IF, Senior, South Carolina, SEC
Kent Emanuel, LHP, Junior, North Carolina, ACC
Phillip Ervin, OF, Junior, Samford, SoCon
Thomas Eshelman, RHP, Freshman, Cal State Fullerton, Big West
Zane Evans, C/RHP, Junior, Georgia Tech, ACC
Buck Farmer, RHP, Senior, Georgia Tech, ACC
Johnny Field, OF, Junior, Arizona, Pac-12
Mitchell Garver, C, Senior, New Mexico, Mountain West
Marco Gonzales, LHP, Junior, Gonzaga, West Coast
Jonathan Gray, RHP, Junior, Oklahoma, Big 12
Ryon Healy, IF, Junior, Oregon, Pac-12
Jeff Hoffman, RHP, Sophomore, ECU, USA
Jason Hursh, RHP, RS Sophomore, Oklahoma St, Big 12
Eric Jagielo, IF, Junior, Notre Dame, Big East
Aaron Judge, OF, Junior, Fresno State, Mountain West
Mason Katz, IF, Senior, Louisiana State, SEC
Jared King, OF, Junior, Kansas State, Big 12
Andrew Knapp, C, Junior, California, Pac-12
Corey Knebel, RHP, Junior, Texas, Big 12
Michael Lorenzen, OF/RHP, Junior, Cal State Fullerton, Big West
Sean Manaea, LHP, Junior, Indiana State, Missouri Valley
Trey Masek, RHP, Junior, Texas Tech, Big 12
Kyle McGowin, RHP, Junior, Savannah State, Mid-Eastern
Colin Moran, IF, Junior, North Carolina, ACC
Aaron Nola, RHP, Sophomore, Louisiana State, SEC
Matt Oberste, IF, Junior, Oklahoma, Big 12
Daniel Palka, UTL, Junior, Georgia Tech, ACC
D.J. Peterson, IF, Junior, New Mexico, Mountain West
Nick Petree, RHP, RS Junior, Missouri State, Missouri Valley
Andrew Pierce, RHP, Senior, Southern Mississippi, C-USA
Adam Plutko, RHP, Junior, UCLA, Pac-12
Bryan Radziewski, LHP, Junior, Miami, ACC
Hunter Renfroe, OF, Junior, Mississippi State, SEC
Carlos Rodon, LHP, Sophomore, NC State, ACC
Kyle Schwarber, C/OF, Sophomore, Indiana, Big Ten
Jimmie Sherfy, RHP , Junior, Oregon, Pac-12
Braden Shipley, RHP, Junior, Nevada, MWC
Dan Slania, RHP, Junior, Notre Dame, Big East
Ryne Stanek, RHP, Junior, Arkansas, SEC
Jeff Thompson, RHP, Junior, Louisville, Big East
Trea Turner, IF, Sophomore, NC State, ACC
Stuart Turner, C, Junior, Mississippi, SEC
Bobby Wahl, RHP, Junior, Mississippi, SEC
Trevor Williams, RHP, Junior, Arizona State, Pac-12
Tom Windle, LHP, Junior, Minnesota, Big 10
Derrick Workman, OF, Junior, Mercer, Atlantic Sun
Jimmy Yezzo, IF, Junior, Delaware, Colonial Athletic
Kevin Ziomek, LHP, Junior, Vanderbilt, SEC

Two coaches, five Major League players make up 2013 Hall of Fame class

Press Release College Baseball Hall of Fame

LUBBOCK, Texas — Two of the most respected college coaches in history join five outstanding players with a good deal of Major League Baseball experience in the 2013 Class of the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

“This class brings a different flavor to the induction process because it features our first Division III coach, perhaps the greatest Division II player ever and three players from the 1950s, ’60s and early ’70s, which is a time period that has been a bit underrepresented in past inductions,” said Mike Gustafson, executive director of the College Baseball Hall of Fame. “We are excited to welcome them to the Hall of Fame.”

This year’s class, which will be inducted as a part of the annual celebration of college baseball in Lubbock, Texas, is headlined by former longtime Major Leaguers Sal Bando, a standout third baseman at Arizona State from 1964-1965; Ralph Garr, who batted .418 in a stellar career at Grambling from 1964-1967; Tino Martinez of the University of Tampa, for whom the Division II Player of the Year award is named; and Roy Smalley of USC, a shortstop for the Trojans from 1973-1974.

Garr was selected by the Black Legends and Pioneers Committee, which is designed to honor players and coaches at historically black colleges and universities whose careers began prior to 1975. Garr joins Lou Brock, Danny Goodwin and Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones as previous honorees in this category.

“Ralph Garr made a name for himself as an All-Star Major Leaguer, but for the small-school venue in which he performed, he’d be just as well known for his college baseball career,” said Jay Sokol of www.blackcollegenines.com. “It is gratifying for those who know what he accomplished at Grambling to see him recognized with such an elite group of College Baseball Hall of Famers.

In his career, Garr led Grambling to a 103-11 record, highlighted by a 33-1 record and a third-place finish at the 1967 NAIA baseball championship. His .582 batting average as a senior led the nation and set a national record, as did his 11 triples, on the way to first-team NAIA All-

American honors. Going into the 2013 college season, Garr still holds the Division II record for highest batting average in a season.

Bando, the MVP of the 1965 College World Series, led the Sun Devils to back-to-back CWS appearances and the school’s first national title in 1965. A two-time All-WAC performer, in 2010 he was named to the College World Series Legends Team.

Martinez was the 1988 National Division II Player of the Year at the University of Tampa. In addition, he was named third-team All-American as a freshman, second-team All-American as a sophomore and first-team All-American as a junior. Martinez still holds Spartan records for career home runs (54), career batting average (.399), career slugging percentage (.736), single-season batting average (.452) and single-season slugging percentage (.957), and was a leading hitter for the 1988 USA Olympic gold medal baseball team.

Smalley was named first-team All-American shortstop in 1973 and twice joined teammate and 2007 inductee Fred Lynn in leading the USC Trojans to a national championship. Twice named first-team All-Pac 8, he was later named shortstop on the College World Series 1970s All-Decade Team.

Also included in the 2013 HOF class are the late Tom Borland of Oklahoma State University, who fashioned a perfect 11-0 record on the way to being named first-team All-American in 1955; the late Don Schaly, who was named Division III Coach of the Century by Collegiate Baseball Magazine for his legendary career at Marietta College from 1964-2003; and John Winkin, who coached at Colby College, the University of Maine and Husson College from 1954-2006 and led his Maine Black Bear teams to six College World Series appearances.

Borland led the Oklahoma State Aggies to their first two College World Series appearances in the school’s history in 1954 and 1955. He was named first-team All-American on the strength of his 11-0 record and 2.13 ERA. He capped his stellar 1955 season by being named Most Valuable Player at the CWS. In his two-year career in Stillwater, he posted a 19-2 record.

Schaly was named Division III Coach of the Century by Collegiate Baseball Magazine by virtue of the best winning percentage (.812) of any college coach at any level with more than 500 wins, being National Coach of the Year four times and winning three national championships and more than 1,400 games as coach at Marietta College from 1964-2003.

Winkin won more than 1,000 games in 50-plus years of coaching at Colby College, the University of Maine and Husson College. Best known for his tenure at Maine, he led the Black Bears to 11 NCAA tournament appearances, six College World Series appearances and twice finished third in Omaha.

“I am so happy to welcome a new class of inductees that includes Coach Schaly and Coach Winkin, among the other tremendous inductees,” Gustafson said. “They are extremely well-respected among their coaching peers, so this recognition is due.”

The 2013 class will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the College Baseball Night of Champions celebration, June 28-29 in Lubbock, Texas.

2013 National College Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Class:

Sal Bando, Arizona State, 1964-65 (3B)

The MVP of the 1965 College World Series, Bando helped lead Arizona State to Omaha in both of his seasons in Tempe. He anchored an offense that collected 419 RBIs en route to a then-national record 54 wins and a national championship in the ’65 season. The Sun Devils stormed through the ’65 College World Series behind Bando, who scored the game-winning run against Ohio State in the national championship game after reaching base on a triple. Bando hit .319 during his Sun Devil career, including .364 in 1964, and amassed 130 hits, 99 runs scored and 92 RBIs in two years at ASU. A two-time All-WAC performer, in 2010 he was named to the College World Series Legends Team. Bando was inducted into the ASU Hall of Fame in ’75, and his number was retired by the Sun Devils in ’96.

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Tom Borland, Oklahoma State, 1954-55 (Pitcher)

Borland was a stalwart pitcher on Oklahoma State’s team from 1953 through 1955. The left-hander posted a sparkling 19-2 record during his career, which included a perfect 11-0 mark in 1955.

Borland helped lead the Cowboys to the College World Series in both 1954 and 1955. He posted an 8-2 record with a 2.50 earned run average in 1954 while striking out 100 batters in 104 innings pitched.

Oklahoma State went 18-11 that season and followed that up with a 27-3 record in the 1955 campaign.

Borland was a dominating force for the Cowboys in 1955, with a 2.13 ERA and an impressive 143 strikeouts in 117 2/3 innings.

He was named a first-team All-American according to the American Baseball Coaches’ Association, while leading the Cowboys to the College World Series.

At the CWS, Borland capped his collegiate career by being named the Most Valuable Player and was also on the All-Tournament team.

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Ralph Garr, Grambling, 1964-1967

As a freshman in 1964, Garr made only 21 plate appearances for the Tigers. However, in his final three years in school, Ralph Garr was the team’s leading hitter each year. His .582 average in 1967 not only led Grambling by a wide margin, but also topped the entire NAIA and NCAA Division II. Going into the 2013 college season, Garr still holds the Division II record for highest batting average in a season. He also set a record with his 11 triples that year.

During Ralph Garr’s career at Grambling, winning baseball was a foregone conclusion. It’s hard to imagine any one college player having taken part in a more successful four-year span than Garr did at Grambling with its 103-11 record between the years of 1964-1967. In 1967, Grambling won 33 of its 34 regular season games and finished third at the annual NAIA baseball championship. For his career, Garr had an impressive batting average of .418.

Ralph Garr culminated a great career at Grambling with his selection as a first team NAIA All-American in 1967 and his selection by the Atlanta Braves in the third round of that year’s Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft (the 52nd player picked overall).

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Tino Martinez, University of Tampa, 1986-88 (1B)

Martinez spent three years playing for the University of Tampa Spartans. He was the 1988 NCAA Division II National Player of the Year, a three-time All-American (third-team in ’86, second-team in ’87, first-team in ’88), a three-time All-Region Performer, a three-time member of the NCAA South Regional All-Tournament Team, the NCAA South Regional Tournament MVP (’86), an Academic All-American and a fixture in the Spartans record books. Martinez still holds Spartans records for career home runs (54), career batting average (.399), career slugging percentage (.736), single-season batting average (.452) and single-season slugging percentage (.957).

In 1988, Martinez led the 1988 United States baseball team to the gold medal in the Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. He was named MVP of the World Amateur Championships in Parma, Italy, hitting .413 with four home runs and 18 RBIs, and was named first baseman on The Sporting News College All-America Team. That year, he also was a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, presented to the country’s best amateur player.

==============================================

Don Schaly, Marietta College, 1964-2003

Highlights:

Collegiate Baseball named him the Division III Coach of the Century

Record: 1,442-329

Best winning percentage of any college coach at any level (.812) with more than 500 wins

Named National Coach of the Year four times

Coached his teams to three National Championships and seven runner-up finishes

For 40 years, from 1964 to 2003, Don Schaly was the baseball coach at Marietta College in Ohio.

The 1959 graduate of Marietta College played baseball and football for the Pioneers. He returned to his alma mater in 1964 and never left, guiding his teams to three NCAA Division III national championships and seven national runner-up finishes. He won 18 Mideast Regional Championships and 27 Ohio Athletic Conference championships.

The coach won numerous coaching awards during his career. He was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1995. Schaly was named the National Coach of the Year four times (1975, 1981, 1983 and 1986), and in 2000 Collegiate Baseball named him the Division III Coach of the Century. Schaly was also awarded the OAC’s Coach of the Year 17 times and the Mideast Regional Coach of the Year 21 times.

Schaly’s final record at Marietta is 1,442-329, but Schaly’s role in the Marietta College athletics department extended far beyond the duties of head baseball coach. He was an assistant football coach for 17 years and served as an assistant athletic director for more than 20 years. Schaly also played a primary role in the formation of the Marietta College Athletic Hall of Fame, into which he was inducted in 2004.

Schaly was the first person in Marietta College history to have his jersey retired. The college also renamed the main entrance of Ban Johnson Arena the Schaly Lobby, in his honor. In 2006, Pioneer Park was renamed Don Schaly Stadium, in his honor.

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Roy Smalley, USC, 1972-73, (SS)

• Earned first-team All-America honors as a shortstop by the American Baseball Coaches’ Association and The Sporting News in 1973.

• Batted .338 in 1973, second-best on the team. Also had five home runs and 29 RBIs.

• Earned All-College World Series honors in 1973.

• Earned All-Region honors in 1973.

• Starting shortstop on the 1972 and 1973 teams, twice winning national titles.

• Twice named first-team All-Pac 8

• During his two-year Trojan career, batted .297, with 68 RBIs, 101 hits and 10 home runs.

• Was drafted four times by MLB teams between 1970 and 1973 without signing. Smalley signed in the January 1974 amateur draft when he was the No. 1 overall pick.

• In 1996, was named shortstop on College World Series 1970s All-Decade Team

• Inducted into the USC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007

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John Winkin, Colby College/Maine/Husson College, 1954-06

Coached baseball at Maine for 22 years and compiled a record of 642-430-3. He took six teams to the College World Series and his squad finished third in the nation twice. He led Maine to 11 NCAA regional tournaments. Winkin was named National Coach of the Year in 1965, New England Division I Coach of the Year in 1975 and Northeast Region Division I Coach of

the Year in 1976, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986 and 1991. He has been elected to the Maine Baseball, ABCA, Maine Sports and University of Maine Halls of Fame. Winkin also received the Lefty Gomez Award for contribution to baseball and the ECAC Distinguished Achievement Award. Winkin came out of retirement to coach baseball at Husson College in Bangor, Maine, and on March 12, 2006, he recorded his 1,000th career coaching victory.

Initial watch list of 2013 features 41 players from across the country

Press Release College Baseball Hall of Fame

LUBBOCK, Texas – After nearly two months of the 2013 season, a number of pitchers have already distinguished themselves with season numbers featuring miniscule earned run averages and stellar strikeout totals.

The initial watch list for the 2013 Pitcher of the Year Award, sponsored by Diamond Sports and presented during the College Baseball Hall of Fame’s Night of Champions on June 29, features 41 players from across the country.

The Southeastern Conference leads the list with nine representatives — three each from Vanderbilt and LSU.

“We all know the SEC is a dominant conference, but to have three pitchers from one school is even more impressive,” said Raymond Richardson, chair of the Pitcher of the Year Award committee. “We have a couple of schools that have two pitchers on the list, but three speaks to how competitive LSU’s and Vanderbilt’s pitching is.”

Smaller schools are well represented on the watch list as well. John Farrell of William & Mary leads the list in innings pitched at 63.2 in only eight games. He also has a 7-0 record. Austin Peay’s Tyler Rogers leads the list in saves with 12.

Rice’s Austin Kubitza and Savannah State’s Kyle McGowin both have 72 strikeouts on the season, narrowly surpassing Jonathan Gray of Oklahoma and 2012 Pitcher of the Year winner Mark Appel of Stanford, who both have 71.

“It’s nice to see some names from last year in the mix again, but it’s really great to see the variety of newcomers on the list this year,” Richardson said. “We can’t wait to see what these young men can do for the rest of the season.”

For more information on the Pitcher of the Year Award or the College Baseball Hall of Fame’s Night of Champions, visit www.collegebaseballhall.org.

Pitcher of the Year Watch List:

College Baseball Hall of Fame honors lifetime of umpiring excellence

Press Release College Baseball Hall of Fame

LUBBOCK, Texas — The College Baseball Hall of Fame announced this year’s recipient of the National Collegiate Umpire Award, honoring a lifetime of excellence in umpiring.

The recipient of the 2013 award is Dale Williams, who umpired college baseball for 32 years. He worked the Division I College World Series in Omaha, Neb., eight times and umpired Division I regionals 21 times. Add to that numerous Division II, Division III and NAIA regionals, and it tallies an impressive list of important baseball over which Williams presided. He has supervised the umpires in several conferences over the years, and also found time to work as an NFL referee for 23 years, including three Super Bowls.

“During my umpiring career, God has blessed me with great friends, experiences and success,” Williams said. “Having umpired with the other outstanding men on the ballot, I feel honored and humbled my colleagues have chosen me, and I thank them and the College Baseball Hall of Fame for this prestigious award. It is also a special honor to have my name associated with (previous winners) Dick Runchey and Rich Fetchiet.”

Williams’ selection was the result of a nomination and screening process by past and current NCAA national coordinators of umpires, NCAA regional advisers, umpire conference coordinators and four collegiate head coaches.

“Dale is truly a career official,” said Mike Gustafson, CBHOF executive director. “He is so well respected in college baseball circles, especially on the West Coast. Throw in his NFL experience and it doesn’t take long to figure out how remarkable he was.”

The College National Collegiate Umpire Award will be presented on June 29 in Lubbock, Texas, as part of College Baseball’s Night of Champions. The event features the presentation of several of college baseball’s most prestigious awards, as well as the induction ceremonies for the 2013 inductees into the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

Power conferences well-represented on list of top shortstops

Press Release College Baseball Hall of Fame

LUBBOCK, Texas — The high-caliber athletes of the Southeastern Conference are on display with five players represented on the first Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award Watch List of the 2013 season.

The Brooks Wallace Award, sponsored by Mizuno, recognizes the nation’s top shortstop and will be presented during the College Baseball Hall of Fame’s Night of Champions on June 29 in Lubbock, Texas.

Other conferences with multiple representatives include the Pac-12 with four, the Big 10 with three and the ACC and Ohio Valley with two each.

“It’s no wonder that some of these conferences have multiple players featured on the Wallace Award Watch List,” said Tyler Young, award co-chair. “Of course, we’re also excited to see a number of other conferences represented as well. This is a great list of players.”

LSU’s Alex Bregman has the best batting average of the 27 shortstops featured on the list at .441 in 32 games. He also has 31 RBIs and 60 hits. Ohio State’s Kirby Pellant leads the list with a .989 fielding percentage.

“Each of these shortstops have some impressive statistics — whether it’s batting averages or fielding percentages,” said Darby Brown, Wallace Award co-chair. “We look forward to seeing what they do during the upcoming weeks.

BROOKS WALLACE AWARD WATCH LIST

SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA’S LOPEZ IS 2012 NCBWA STOPPER OF THE YEAR

Press Release: National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association

OMAHA, Neb. (NCBWA) – Southeastern Louisiana relief pitcher Stefan Lopez is the 2012 recipient of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association’s Stopper of the Year Award, the NCBWA announced Friday in Omaha.

Lopez, a first team NCBWA All-American and a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy, has set Southeastern Louisiana’s single-season saves record in 2012 with 20 and holds the school record for career saves with 30. This season, he went 2-1 with an 0.61 ERA in 28 appearances. He pitched 29.1 innings and allowed just two earned runs on 19 hits with five walks and 42 strikeouts. His 20 saves currently leads the nation.

The New Iberia, La., product earned Southland Conference Relief Pitcher of the Year and first team ABCA All-South Central Region team honors and was named a second team All-American by Collegiate Baseball News. The junior was drafted in the 16th round last week by the New York Yankees.

The right-hander helped Southeastern Louisiana post a 39-21 overall record and a 20-13 record in the Southland Conference. The Lions finished second in the Southland this season.

Lopez is the first Lions pitcher to take home the honor and the second player from the Southland Conference, as he joins Luke Prihoda from Sam Houston State who won the award in 2007.

Lopez

This year’s finalists also included Robert Benincasa of Florida State, Michael Morin of North Carolina, Robbie Powell of Stetson and Jimmie Sherfy of Oregon. More than 90 of the nation’s top collegiate relief pitchers were included in the selection process for this year’s NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award, beginning with initial preseason nominations by baseball contacts at NCAA Division I schools.

Texas hurler J. Brent Cox won the inaugural Stopper of the Year Award in 2005, with Don Czyz of Kansas claiming the honor in 2006, Luke Prihoda of Sam Houston State winning it in 2007, Georgia’s Joshua Fields topping the field in 2008, San Diego State’s Addison Reed grabbing the honor in 2009, Texas’ Chance Ruffin winning the award in 2010 and Texas’ Corey Knebel claiming the honor in 2011.

The NCBWA, founded in 1962, presents the Dick Howser Trophy to the nation’s top player. It also selects a Division I All-America Team, Division I Coach of the Year, Division I and III Players of the Week, Division I District Players of the Year and Division II and III Players of the Year.

The Stopper of the Year will also be recognized on the College Baseball Foundation Night of Champions June 30 in Lubbock, Texas. This event will feature the presentation of the Dick Howser Trophy to the National Player of the Year. Other awards scheduled to be presented during the show include the Brooks Wallace Award, honoring the nation’s best shortstop; the CBF John Olerud Award for the best dual position player nationally in Division I, and the Pitcher of the Year Award.For more information on the NCBWA Stopper of the Year, contact Tami Cutler at Wichita State at 316-978-5559 or Russ Anderson at Conference USA at 214-774-1351.

2012 NCBWA Stopper of the Year key dates:
• Tues., Jan. 31: Preseason Watch List
• Thurs., April 19: Midseason Watch List
• Tues., June 5: Stopper of the Year finalists announced
• Fri., June 15: NCBWA Stopper of the Year announced (Omaha, Neb.)

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OMAHA, Neb. (NCBWA) – Texas junior pitcher Taylor Jungmann is the recipient of the 25th annual Dick Howser Trophy, presented by Easton Foundations, as college baseball’s player of the year. The presentation was made Tuesday morning as part of a news conference at TD Ameritrade Park, with several other 2011 national honors being awarded as well.

The 25th anniversary of the Dick Howser Trophy presented by Easton Foundations was even more special by the awarding of this year’s honor at TD Ameritrade Stadium in downtown Omaha, the new home of the College World Series.

As the 2011 Howser Trophy recipient, Jungmann also will take part of the College Baseball Foundation’s festivities to recognize and induct the College Baseball Hall of Fame and the awarding of several other national honors for 2011, on July 3, in Lubbock, Texas.

Jungmann, who hails from Georgetown, Texas, near Austin, brought the Longhorns back to the 2011 NCAA World Series with a 13-3 mark, five complete games, three route-going shutouts (five combined), a 1.60 ERA, 36 walks issued, and 125 strikeouts.

He was the Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the Year, helped UT to a 49-18 mark through Saturday’s opener in the CWS, has 19 appearances with 18 starts, and allowed opponents a batting average of .165. The consensus All-America selection was selected No. 12 overall in the 2011 MLB draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. Jungmann won the Howser Trophy over two other outstanding finalists: UCLA junior pitcher Trevor Bauer and Virginia junior utility performer (P-DH-1B) Danny Hultzen.

The Dick Howser Trophy, given in memory of the former Florida State University All-America shortstop and major league player and manager who died of brain cancer in 1987, is regarded by many as college baseball’s most prestigious award. Criteria for consideration for the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral character and courage, qualities that were exemplified by Dick Howser’s life.

A Florida native, Howser was twice an All-America shortstop at Florida State University (1957-58), then coached the Seminoles in 1979 after a career as a major league player and coach. After one year in the college ranks, Howser returned to the majors to manage the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals and won the World Series with the Royals in 1985. The baseball stadium on the Florida State campus is named for Howser.

NCBWA membership includes writers, broadcasters and publicists. Designed to promote and publicize college baseball, it is the sport’s only college media-related organization, founded in 1962.

The College Baseball Foundation was established in 2004 and has inducted more than 60 greats into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in Lubbock. The group promotes the highest ideals and recognition of greatness on college baseball diamonds in the 150 years since the first intercollegiate contest in 1859 between Amherst and Williams.

The Howser Trophy was created in 1987, shortly after Howser’s death. Previous winners of the Howser Trophy are Mike Fiore, Miami, 1987; Robin Ventura, Oklahoma State, 1988; Scott Bryant, Texas, 1989; Alex Fernandez, Miami-Dade Community College South, 1990; Frank Rodriguez, Howard College (Texas), 1991; Brooks Kieschnick, Texas, 1992 and 1993; Jason Varitek, Georgia Tech, 1994; Todd Helton, Tennessee, 1995; Kris Benson, Clemson, 1996; J. D. Drew, Florida State, 1997; Eddy Furniss, LSU, 1998; Jason Jennings, Baylor, 1999; Mark Teixeira, Georgia Tech, 2000; Mark Prior, P, USC, 2001, Khalil Greene, SS, Clemson, 2002; Rickey Weeks, 2B, Southern U., 2003; Jered Weaver, P, Long Beach State, 2004; Alex Gordon, 3B, Nebraska, 2005; Brad Lincoln, P/DH, Houston, 2006; David Price, P, Vanderbilt, 2007; Buster Posey, C, Florida State, 2008; Stephen Strasburg, P, San Diego State, 2009 and Anthony Rendon, 3B, Rice, 2010.

2011 Dick Howser Trophy:
• Thurs., Feb. 17: Dick Howser Trophy celebrates 25th anniversary
• Fri., May 20: Dick Howser Trophy semifinalists announced
• Thurs., June 16: Dick Howser Trophy finalists announced
• Tues., June 21: Dick Howser Trophy winner announced

Related links:
• More on the Dick Howser Trophy
• Official site (dickhowsertrophy.com)

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WICHITA, Kan. (NCBWA) – Five of college baseball’s top relief specialists have been selected as finalists for the seventh annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award, the NCBWA announced Tuesday.

This year’s finalists include NCAA saves leaders Kyle McMillen of Kent State and Bo Reeder of East Tennessee State, along with Branden Kline of Virginia, Corey Knebel of Texas and Matt Price of South Carolina.

McMillen, with an NCAA-tying 18 saves, has earned third team All-America honors this season. He is 1-2 this season with a 1.80 earned run average. In 30.0 innings pitched, McMillen has recorded 31 strikeouts and has allowed just 18 hits for a .175 opponent batting average.

Reeder, also owning an NCAA-tying 18 saves, earned first team All-America honors as a utility player this season. In 27.2 innings pitched, Reeder has allowed just six earned runs with 32 strikeouts. He allowed just 16 hits on the season for an opponent batting average of .165 and finished the season with a 1.95 ERA.

Kline, registering a 3-0 record, earned third team All-America honors and has led No. 1 national seed Virginia to Super Regionals. He has a 1.78 earned run average and 49 strikeouts over his 35.1 innings of work. He has allowed just seven earned runs, while holding opponents to a .202 batting average.

Knebel, a true freshman who has helped Texas to Super Regional play, owns a 3-2 record and 17 saves and has fanned 57 batters in just 50.1 innings. He has allowed just 25 hits this season for an opponent batting average of .150. He earned first team All-Big 12 honors this season as well as being named a first team All-American.

Price has helped the defending national champions back to the Super Regionals this season. In 48.0 innings of work, he owns a 2.25 ERA with 17 saves, 14 walks and 63 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting .202 off of the first team all-SEC selection this season.

More than 50 of the nation’s top collegiate relief pitchers were included in the selection process for this year’s NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award, beginning with initial preseason nominations by baseball contacts at NCAA Division I schools.

The NCBWA’s All-America Committee will select the winner, with this year’s recipient to be announced Tuesday, June 21, during the 2011 College World Series.

Texas hurler J. Brent Cox won the inaugural Stopper of the Year Award in 2005, with Don Czyz of Kansas claiming the honor in 2006, Luke Prihoda of Sam Houston State winning it in 2007, Georgia’s Joshua Fields topping the field in 2008, San Diego State’s Addison Reed winning it in 2009 and Texas’ Chance Ruffin grabbing the honor last season.

The NCBWA, founded in 1962, presents the Dick Howser Trophy to the nation’s top player. It also selects All-America Teams for all Divisions, a Division I Freshman All-American team, Division I and III Players of the Week, Division I District Players of the Year and Division III Players of the Year.

For more information on the NCBWA Stopper of the Year, contact Tami Cutler at Wichita State at 316-978-5559 or Russ Anderson at Conference USA at 214-774-1300.

2011 NCBWA Stopper of the Year key dates:
• Tues., Feb. 1: Preseason Watch List
• Thurs., April 21: Midseason Watch List
• Tues., June 7: Stopper of the Year finalists announced
• Sat., June 18: NCBWA Stopper of the Year announced

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DALLAS (NCBWA) – College of Charleston outfielder Daniel Aldrich and Texas right-handed pitcher Corey Knebelhave been named the 2011 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Freshman Hitter and Pitcher of the Year recipients, as announced by the organization today.

Aldrich hit .347 and led all Division I freshmen in home runs (22), RBI (73), slugging percentage (.739) and total bases (164). The outfielder was selected the 2011 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year and named to All-SoCon first team. He had 25 multi-hit games on the season and posted a team-best 17-game hitting streak in February and March.

The Mt. Pleasant, N.C., native has been named a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and has received second team All-America honors and Freshman Player of Year from the Collegiate Baseball News. Aldrich helped College of Charleston post a 39-22 record this past season.

Knebel, a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award, has set Texas’ freshman record with 19 saves and is 3-2 with a 1.15 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 54.2 innings. With two saves this past weekend, he has posted most saves of any pitcher in the nation this season. In addition, he has made 37 appearances, the most in the Big 112 this year.

The Georgetown, Texas product was an All-Big 12 First Team selection and member of the Big 12 All-Freshmen Team. He has received first team All-America honors and Freshman Pitcher of the Year from Collegiate Baseball News. The reliever has also been named one of the 25 quarterfinalists for the College Baseball Foundation’s Pitcher of the Year Award.

The right-hander has helped Texas post a 49-17 record and reach the College World Series for the 34th time, with NCAA Austin Regional and Super Regional Championships. The Longhorns also were the Big 12 Regular Season Co-Champions and were ranked No. 5 in the latest NCBWA Weekly Poll.

Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. For more information about the NCBWA, visit the association’s official Web site, www.ncbwa.com.

For more information, contact NCBWA Assistant Executive Director Mike Montoro (304-293-2821, mike.montoro@mail.wvu.edu) or Ryan Bomberger (434-582-2292, rbomberger@liberty.edu).

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First-ever class of finalists made up entirely of pitchers

DURHAM, N.C. — USA Baseball announced Monday the names of the three finalists for the 2011 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award (GSA). This summer marks the 34th consecutive year that the GSA will be presented to the nation’s premier amateur baseball player.

Trevor Bauer, RHP, UCLA, Danny Hultzen, LHP/IF/OF, Virginia, and Taylor Jungmann, RHP, Texas, received the most votes last week from the nearly 200-person GSA voting committee. The three players represent the first-ever class of finalists made up entirely of pitchers.

Fans can continue to stay up to date on the GSA by visiting GoldenSpikesAward.com– powered by MLB.com — which serves as the online home for the award. The Web site features content devoted exclusively to the GSA, including news, voting history, past winner photo galleries, and photographs and video highlights for the 2011 finalists.

For the first time ever, the GSA will be awarded live on MLB Network. The presentation will begin at 6 p.m. ET on MLB Tonight, Friday, July 15. The three finalists for the award will be at MLB Network’s studios for the presentation, which will feature interviews, video highlights and the announcement of the winner. Online footage of the event also will be available via GoldenSpikesAward.com and MLB.com.

“In a year of incredible performances from players across the diamond, our voting committee felt that three pitchers stood out above the rest,” said USA Baseball executive director/CEO Paul Seiler. “We congratulate Trevor Bauer, Danny Hultzen and Taylor Jungmann, along with their coaching staffs, teammates and their schools’ baseball programs.”

Trevor Bauer, Collegiate Baseball’s National Player of the Year, had a record breaking season in 2011. The Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year set the conference single-season record for strikeouts with 203, eclipsing the previous record (202) set by 2001 GSA winner Mark Prior (Southern California). Bauer went 13-2 for the Bruins, throwing 10 complete games (tied for first in UCLA single-season record history) over 136.2 innings pitched (seventh most in UCLA single-season records history). Bauer is the first GSA finalist from UCLA since Troy Glaus in 1997.

Danny Hultzen became the first-ever three-time All-American for the Virginia Cavaliers in 2011. The lefty has posted an 11-3 record on the mound with a 1.57 ERA and 148 strikeouts. His impressive stats helped him become UVa’s all-time career leader in wins (31) and strikeouts (378). The two-time ACC Pitcher of the Year is seventh in ACC history in career strikeouts and has been named First-Team All-ACC three consecutive years. Hultzen has also hit .336 for the season driving in 34 runs, including 10 doubles, two triples and a home run. Prior to Hultzen, the Cavaliers’ last GSA finalist was Seth Greisinger in 1996.

Taylor Jungmann solidified himself as one of the most dominant pitchers in Texas and Big 12 history with his performance in 2011. The junior was named Big 12 Pitcher of the Year and a First Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball/Louisville Slugger. This season he is 13-1 with a 1.40 ERA, 119 strikeouts, a .168 batting average against and five complete games in 128.1 innings pitched. Jungmann was also named to both the Big 12 All-First Team and All-Academic First Team. He is the first Longhorn finalist since Kyle Russell in 2007.

In 2007, USA Baseball instituted a new selection and balloting procedure for the most prestigious award in amateur baseball, and it follows the same model again in 2011. After working closely with sports information directors and amateur baseball media across the country to determine watch lists and the top-performing athletes, a list of 30 semifinalists was sent to the GSA voting committee last week. The three players that received the most votes advanced to the finalist round, and beginning Monday at 3:30 p.m. ET, the committee will have the opportunity to vote for a winner.

Fans will once again be able to vote for the 2011 GSA by visiting GoldenSpikesAward.com and selecting their favorite finalist. Voting for fans and the voting body ends at 5 p.m. ET on Friday, June 17.

Press Release: USA Baseball

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Press Release USA Baseball

GoldenSpikesAward.com home to player profiles, fan voting for premier amateur player of the year award

DURHAM, N.C. — USA Baseball announced Tuesday the names of the 30 semifinalists for the 2011 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award (GSA).  This marks the 34th consecutive year that the award has been presented to the nation’s top amateur baseball player.

GoldenSpikesAward.com — powered by MLB.com — will once again be the online home for the award.  The Web site features content devoted exclusively to the GSA, including news, voting history, past winner photo galleries, and photographs and video highlights for the 2011 semifinalists.  Fans can follow online at GoldenSpikesAward.com as the list of 30 players is narrowed to three finalists on Monday, June 6.

For the first time ever, the GSA will be awarded live on MLB Network.  The presentation will begin at 6:00 p.m. ET on MLB Tonight, Friday, July 15.  The three finalists for the award will be at MLB Network’s studios for the presentation, which will feature interviews, video highlights and the announcement of the winner.  Online footage of the event also will be available via GoldenSpikesAward.com and MLB.com.

Trevor Bauer (UCLA), Danny Hultzen (Virginia), Taylor Jungmann (Texas), and Anthony Rendon (Rice) were semifinalists for the 2010 GSA and return to the list for 2011.  Connecticut and Vanderbilt top all schools with two semifinalists each, and in total 28 college and universities are represented on the list.  Among conferences, the SEC leads with five players, while the ACC has four and the Pac-10 and Big East each have three.  Juniors are tops with 22 semifinalists and they are joined by four sophomores and three seniors.  Daniel Alrdich is the only freshman (RS) on the list.

In 2007, USA Baseball instituted a new selection and balloting procedure for the most prestigious award in amateur baseball, and it will follow the same model again in 2011.  After working closely with sports information directors and amateur baseball media across the country to determine watch lists and the top-performing athletes, a committee voted to determine the 30 semifinalists.  A ballot featuring the names and accomplishments of the 30 semifinalists will now be sent to a group of nearly 200 voters which will select the three finalists and eventual winner.  Beginning today fans will also be able to vote on the 2011 GSA by visiting GoldenSpikesAward.com and selecting their favorite amateur player.

“USA Baseball congratulates each of the 30 student-athletes and their respective baseball programs,” said Paul Seiler, USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO.  “With the increased exposure we are bringing to the Golden Spikes Award through the MLB Network this year, there is added excitement surrounding the voting process and live presentation.  We wish all of the semifinalists the best of luck.”

A list of the 30 semifinalists is as follows:

Name, Position, Class, School, Conference
Daniel Aldrich, OF, RS-Freshman, College of Charleston, SoCon
Tyler Anderson, LHP, Junior, Oregon, Pac-10
Matt Barnes, RHP, Junior, Connecticut, Big East
Trevor Bauer, RHP, Junior, UCLA, Pac-10
DJ Baxendale, RHP, Sophomore, Arkansas, SEC
C.J. Cron, C/IF, Junior, Utah, Mountain West
Grayson Garvin, LHP, Junior, Vanderbilt, SEC
Sam Gaviglio, RHP, Junior, Oregon State, Pac-10
Sean Gilmartin, LHP/OF, Junior, Florida State, ACC
Greg Gonzalez, RHP, Senior, Fresno State, WAC
Sonny Gray, RHP, Junior, Vanderbilt, SEC
Danny Hultzen, LHP/IF, Junior, Virginia, ACC
Taylor Jungmann, RHP, Junior, Texas, Big 12
Jason Krizan, OF, Senior, Dallas Baptist, Independent
Jake Lowery, C, Junior, James Madison, CAA
Mikie Mahtook, OF, Junior, Louisiana State, SEC
Brad Miller, IF, Junior, Clemson, ACC
Chris O’Brien, C/IF, Junior, Wichita State, Missouri Valley
Joe Panik, IF, Junior, St. John’s, Big East
Mark Pope, RHP, Junior, Georgia Tech, ACC
Nick Ramirez, IF/LHP, Junior, Cal State Fullerton, Big West
Anthony Rendon, IF, Junior, Rice, C-USA
Victor Roache, OF, Sophomore, Georgia Southern, SoCon
Michael Rocha, RHP, Senior, Oklahoma, Big 12
Michael Roth, LHP/IF, Junior, South Carolina, SEC
George Springer, OF, Junior, Connecticut, Big East
Adam Brett Walker, IF/OF, Sophomore, Jacksonville, Atlantic Sun
Kyle Winkler, RHP, Junior, Texas Christian, Mountain West
Mike Zunino, C, Sophomore, Florida, SEC
Chad Zurcher, IF, RS-Junior, Memphis, C-USA

About the Golden Spikes Award
Since 1978, USA Baseball has honored the top amateur baseball player in the country with the Golden Spikes Award. Following the first ever presentation of the Award to Bob Horner of Arizona State, the Golden Spikes Award has been presented each year to the player who exhibits exceptional athletic ability and exemplary sportsmanship. The 2010 Golden Spikes Award winner was Bryce Harper of Southern Nevada. Past winners of this prestigious award include current Major League Baseball players such as Stephen Strasburg (’09), Buster Posey (’08), David Price (’07), Tim Lincecum (’06), Alex Gordon (’05), Jered Weaver (’04), Rickie Weeks (’03), Pat Burrell (‘98), J.D. Drew (’97), Mark Kotsay (’95), and Jason Varitek (’94). Former Major League stars that have captured the award include Robin Ventura (’88), Jim Abbott (’87), Will Clark (’85), Dave Magadan (’83), Terry Francona (’80), Tim Wallach (’79), and Bob Horner (’78).  For more information, please visit GoldenSpikesAward.com.

About USA Baseball
USA Baseball is the National Governing Body of amateur baseball in the United States and is a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).  The organization selects and trains the World Baseball Classic Team and World Cup Team (and all other USA Baseball Professional Teams); the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team; the USA Baseball 18U, 16U and 14U National Teams; and the USA Baseball Women’s National Team, all of which participate in various international competitions each year.  USA Baseball also presents the Golden Spikes Award annually to the top amateur baseball player in the country.  For more information, please visit USABaseball.com and GoldenSpikesAward.com.

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COOPERSTOWN, NY – Dave Van Horne, who has spent the last 42 seasons calling play-by-play action for the Montreal Expos and the Florida Marlins, has been selected as the 2011 recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award, presented annually by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum for excellence in baseball broadcasting.

Van Horne, who will be honored during Hall of Fame Weekend, July 22-25, is the first Expos broadcaster to win the Frick Award. He is the second Marlins broadcaster honored, joining Felo Ramirez, a Spanish-language broadcaster, and the second Frick Award winner to have called games for a Canadian team, following Tony Kubek, who broadcast games for the Blue Jays and was honored in 2009.

“Dave Van Horne introduced Major League Baseball to English-speaking fans in Montreal, and his voice became the standard for two generations of Expos fans,” said Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson. “Since 2001, Dave has energized Marlins fans in South Florida with his infectious love for the game, his excitable play-by-play, and his signature ‘Up, Up and Away’ home run calls. We are thrilled to announce Dave Van Horne as the 2011 Frick Award winner.”

Van Horne, a native of Easton, Pa., began his broadcasting career with the Richmond Braves of the International League, and was twice named the Virginia Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association before joining the Expos for their inaugural season of 1969. He called Expos games on radio and television, describing such memorable moments as the Expos debut on April 8, 1969, Willie Mays’ 3000th hit, Nolan Ryan’s passing Walter Johnson on top of the career strikeout list and Steve Carlton striking out his 4,000th batter. Van Horne also called games for The Baseball Network on ABC and NBC.

Van Horne joined the Marlins in 2001 as the club’s lead radio voice. He broadcast the Marlins’ 2003 World Championship season, adding to a resume that includes three World Series and National League Championship Series broadcasting assignments for Canadian networks. Van Horne also broadcast the last Expos game in Montreal, in 2004, as a member of the visiting Marlins radio broadcast team.

Van Horne has shared the broadcast booth with partners such as Don Drysdale, Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snider, Ken Singleton, Buck Martinez, Tom Cheek and Tommy Hutton. He was the recipient of the 1996 Jack Graney Award, given by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame for contributions to the game through broadcasting.

Van Horne will be honored as an award recipient during Hall of Fame Weekend 2011, July 22-25 in Cooperstown, N.Y, along with 2011 J.G. Taylor Spink Award winner Bill Conlin, who was announced on Tuesday. Pat Gillick, who was elected on Monday by the Expansion Era Committee, will be inducted on July 24, along with any electees who emerge from 2011 Baseball Writers’ Association of America election, to be announced Jan. 5.

The Ford C. Frick Award is voted upon annually and is named in memory of the sportswriter, radio broadcaster, National League president and Baseball commissioner. For a complete list of recipients,click here.

Ten finalists for the 2011 Ford C. Frick Award were selected in October, featuring three fan selections from an online vote conducted at www.facebook.com/baseballhall and seven broadcasters chosen by a research committee from the Cooperstown-based museum. The final ballot contained a mix of pioneers and current-day broadcasters, and was voted upon by a 20-member electorate. Complete biographical information on the 10 finalists can be found here. The 10 finalists: Rene Cardenas, Tom Cheek, Dizzy Dean, Jacques Doucet, Bill King, Ned Martin, Tim McCarver, Graham McNamee, Eric Nadel and Van Horne. Cardenas, Doucet, McCarver, Nadel and Van Horne were the living candidates.

In September, Cheek (11,661 votes), King (4,758 votes) and Doucet (2,714 votes) finished as the top three vote-getters in the Museum’s online fan poll for inclusion on the final 10-name ballot.

The 20-member electorate, comprised of the 15 living Frick Award recipients and five broadcast historians/columnists, includes Frick honorees Marty Brennaman, Jerry Coleman, Gene Elston, Joe Garagiola, Jaime Jarrin, Milo Hamilton, Tony Kubek, Denny Matthews, 2010 Frick Award winner Jon Miller, Dave Niehaus (who cast his vote before passing away Nov. 10), Felo Ramirez, Vin Scully, Lon Simmons, Bob Uecker and Bob Wolff, and historians/columnists Bob Costas (NBC), Barry Horn(Dallas Morning News), Stan Isaacs (formerly of NY Newsday), Ted Patterson (historian) and Curt Smith (historian).

Voters were asked to base their selections on the following criteria: longevity; continuity with a club; honors, including national assignments such as the World Series and All-Star Games; and popularity with fans. This year’s balloting process marked the eighth time fans had the opportunity to be a part of selecting the final ballot for the award, after changes to the voting process implemented by the Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors to the voting process in 2003.

To be considered, an active or retired broadcaster must have a minimum of 10 years of continuous major league broadcast service with a ball club, network, or a combination of the two. More than 200 broadcasters were eligible for consideration for this year’s award, with bios of each candidate appearing at the Web site.

Courtesy BaseballHall.org

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ATLANTA – Georgia State baseball coach Greg Frady, who also heads up the German National Team, was recently announced as the European Baseball Coach of the Year in Cologne, Germany.

Frady received the award for the work he did last year with the German Baseball Organization, while helping to develop the game of baseball. On top of that, Frady led the German National team to a third place finish at the European Championship.

The third place finish marked the best finish ever for the Germans and the first time the country had received a medal in the history of the championships.

Germany opened play with four straight wins, before falling to the defending champions, The Netherlands, to advance to the second stage of three stages.

The Germans only two losses in the championship came to The Netherlands and Italy, who eventually played for the championship title.

Even more special was the fact that the championships were held in Germany, allowing the home fans to enjoy the special occasion.

Frady was named head coach of the team in 2004 and has been building it into an Olympic contender ever since. The team finished second at the World Baseball Challenge last summer, a tournament that included a 6-3 win over the United States. Two years ago, the Germans fell just two games shy of qualifying for the Beijing Olympics.

Frady is currently preparing his Georgia State team for the upcoming 2011 season. Fall practice ended a few weeks ago and the team will return to practice in January. The season opener takes place in Panthersville on Feb. 18 against Texas Southern at 6 p.m.

Courtesy of Georgia State Athletics

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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The first overall pick of the 2010 MLB Draft Bryce Harper helped the Scottsdale Scorpions to the Arizona Fall League Title over the Peoria Javelinas.

The Nationals #1 pick started and hit 7th in the lineup for the Scorpions after spending most of the fall playing only a few times a week on the taxi squad. But Harper (1-for-4) came through with an RBI single to help his team.  With the score tied 1-1 in the 2nd inning, Harper hit the first pitch he saw the other way to left field for an RBI single as the Scorpions took a 2-1 lead.

AFL MVP Dustin Ackley singled and scored the first run for the Javelinas in the top of the 4th to tie the game at 2. Ackley scored on Charlie Culberson’s 2nd error of the game (his first helped the Javelinas score their first run).

The Scorpions bounced back to take the lead for good in the bottom of the 4th. Rockies outfielder Charles Blackmon doubled bringing up Nationals shortstop Steve Lombardozzi who followed with a ringing double off the wall to put Scottsdale up 3-2.

Cord Phelps (Cleveland) went 2-for-5 and Adam Loewen (Toronto) went 3-for-3 to lead the offense for Peoria. Charles Blackmon (Colorado) was the only hitter for Scottsdale with more than one hit going 2-for-2.

Sammy Solis (Washington) picked up the win going 4 innings allowing 3 hits, 2 runs (1 earned), and 1 walk with 3 strikeouts.  Cole Kimbell (Washington) picked up the save with a perfect 9th. Tom Wilhelmsen (Seattle) took the loss giving up a run in 1 inning of relief.

Dustin Ackley won the MVP after hitting .424 with 4 home runs, 19 RBI, .581 OBP, .758 SLG, and 5 SB in 20 games.

Steve Lombardozzi won the 2010 Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award.  The award is given to the player who best exemplifies unselfishness, hard work and leadership and is named in memory of the late Cincinnati Reds outfielder who was killed during the 2003 Arizona Fall League season.

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Former Southern Miss Baseball Coach Corky Palmer Elected to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame

Joining Palmer in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame 2011 induction class is former Southern Miss punter Jerrel Wilson

Aug. 31, 2010

JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame announced today the 2011 induction class which includes former Southern Miss head baseball coach Corky Palmer.

“I am very honored and humbled to be a member of such an elite fraternity of Mississippians,” Palmer said. “I consider this one of the highest honors in my career, right there with being named the head coach at Southern Miss and taking the Golden Eagles to Omaha in 2009. It is truly special to be inducted in your home state’s hall of fame.”

Palmer coached baseball at all levels for 32 years in the state of Mississippi, but is most remembered for turning his Alma Mater at Southern Miss into one of the nation’s elite programs.

In his 12 years at the helm of the Golden Eagles, Palmer amassed a 458-281-1 record while guiding Southern Miss to eight NCAA Regionals, including each of his final seven seasons. It was also Palmer who guided Southern Miss to the 2009 College World Series, one of the most memorable events in the history of Southern Miss athletics.

Joining Palmer in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame 2011 induction class is former Southern Miss punter Jerrel Wilson, who is the only punter in NFL history to led league in punting average four times. In his fourteen-year pro career he played more games in a Kansas City Chiefs/Dallas Texans uniform than any other player in franchise history. He was selected by Pro Football Hall of Fame to All-Time AFL team.

The other members of the induction class includes: Jeff Brantley, Con Maloney, Rita Easterling, and Mike Kinnison.

The six will be enshrined at the 49th annual BancorpSouth Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Weekend on July 29-30, 2011.

Source: USM Release

UNITED STATES – Rice sophomore third baseman Anthony Rendon is the recipient of the 24th annual Dick Howser Trophy as college baseball’s player of the year. The presentation was made Friday evening in Lubbock, Texas as part of the festivities to recognize and induct the College Baseball Hall of Fame and the awarding of several other national honors for 2010.

Rendon is just the second player in Conference USA history to be named Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons. He picked up that honor again this year while leading the Owls to the regular season league championship and the school’s 16th consecutive NCAA Regional appearance. The two-time first team All-CUSA selection was named to the C-USA Championship All-Tournament team and was named the Most Outstanding Player at the NCAA Austin Regional. The Houston native was also named the Male Athlete of the Year for all sports in Conference USA.

He batted .402 in conference play and finished the season hitting .394 overall. Rendon led Conference USA in home runs with 26 and had more homers than strikeouts (22) all season long. Rendon ranks among the nation’s leaders in runs scored (83) and walks (65) while maintaining a .530 on-base percentage. He had 12 doubles and 85 RBI, while posting an .801 slugging percentage.

Rendon has also been named the 2010 National Player of the Year by Baseball America and the American Baseball Coaches Association.

He won the Howser Trophy over two other outstanding finalists: Miami (Fla.) catcher Yasmani Grandal and Mississippi pitcher Drew Pomeranz.

The Dick Howser Trophy, given in memory of the former Florida State University All-America shortstop and major league player and manager who died of brain cancer in 1987, is regarded by many as college baseball’s most prestigious award. Criteria for consideration for the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral character and courage, qualities that were exemplified by Dick Howser’s life.

A Florida native, Howser was twice an All-America shortstop at Florida State University (1957-58), then coached the Seminoles in 1979 after a career as a major league player and coach. After one year in the college ranks, Howser returned to the majors to manage the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals and won the World Series with the Royals in 1985. The baseball stadium on the Florida State campus is named for Howser.

NCBWA membership includes writers, broadcasters and publicists. Designed to promote and publicize college baseball, it is the sport’s only college media-related organization, founded in 1962.

The College Baseball Foundation was established in 2004 and has inducted 57 greats into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in Lubbock. The group promotes the highest ideals and recognition of greatness on college baseball diamonds in the 150 years since the first intercollegiate contest in 1859 between Amherst and Williams. The groups also have come together in 2010 to select the Dick Howser Trophy, Brooks Wallace Award (Division I Shortstop of the Year), NCBWA Stopper of the Year, CBF Pitcher of the Year, John Olerud Award (top twoway player) and NCBWA National Coach of the Year. The Pro-Line Athletic/NCBWA All-America and Freshman All-America teams, the NCBWA Freshman Player and Pitcher of the Year also are being presented by these national entities.

The Howser Trophy was created in 1987, shortly after Howser’s death. Previous winners of the Howser Trophy are Mike Fiore, Miami, 1987; Robin Ventura, Oklahoma State, 1988; Scott Bryant, Texas, 1989; Alex Fernandez, Miami-Dade Community College South, 1990; Frank Rodriguez, Howard College (Texas), 1991; Brooks Kieschnick, Texas, 1992 and 1993; Jason Varitek, Georgia Tech, 1994; Todd Helton, Tennessee, 1995; Kris Benson, Clemson, 1996; J. D. Drew, Florida State, 1997; Eddy Furniss, LSU, 1998; Jason Jennings, Baylor, 1999; Mark Teixeira, Georgia Tech, 2000; Mark Prior, P, USC, 2001, Khalil Greene, SS, Clemson, 2002; Rickey Weeks, 2B, Southern U., 2003; Jered Weaver, P, Long Beach State, 2004; Alex Gordon, 3B, Nebraska, 2005; Brad Lincoln, P/DH, Houston, 2006; David Price, P, Vanderbilt, 2007; Buster Posey, C, Florida State, 2008 and Stephen Strasburg, P, San Diego State, 2009.

Photo courtesy of Rice Athletics

Source: The College Baseball Foundation

UNITED STATES – TCU senior catcher Bryan Holaday was named the 2010 Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award recipient. The award is given to the top catcher in collegiate baseball. Holaday is the 11th player to win the award since its inception in 2000. It is the first major award won by a TCU baseball player in school history.

A first-team all-conference member, Holaday adds to his list of accolades, which also include second-team All-America honors. He is a three-time MWC Hitter of the Week winner and was also named MVP of both the Houston College Classic and the Mountain West Conference Tournament. He earned a spot on the 11-man College World Series all-tournament team.

Holaday was clearly the leader of the team, helping lead the Horned Frogs to their first-ever appearance in the College World Series. He was one of just two Frogs to start all 68 games this season. He hit .355 with a school-record 99 hits. He tallied 72 runs scored and drove in 53. Holaday hit 24 doubles, one triple and 17 home runs.

Defensively, Holaday guided a staff that posted a 3.55 ERA. As a team, the Frogs surrendered just 30 stolen bases in 57 attempts. Holaday threw out 46% of the runners trying to steal and posted a .988 fielding percentage.

He was one of three finalists for the award, joining Miami’s Yasmani Grandal and Coastal Carolina’s Jose Iglesias at the award’s ceremony in Wichita, Kansas.

Previous Winners:
2009 – J.T. Wise, University of Oklahoma
2008 – Buster Posey, Florida State University
2007 – Edward Easley, Mississippi State University
2006 – Jake Smith, East Carolina University
2005 – Jeff Clement, University of Southern California
2004 – Kurt Suzuki, Cal State – Fullerton
2003 – Ryan Garko, Stanford University
2002 – Jeremy Brown, University of Alabama
2001 – Kelly Shoppach, Baylor University
2000 – Brad Cresse, Louisiana State University

Photo courtesy of TCU Athletics

UNITED STATES – Five-time all-American and Big West Conference pitcher of the year Daniel Bibona from the University of California, Irvine, has been selected as the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award winner for baseball.

The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I baseball coaches, national media and fans, is awarded annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in NCAA Division I baseball. The announcement and trophy presentation were made today by Lowe’s, an official Corporate Partner of the NCAA, during the NCAA College World Series® in Omaha.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. The award identifies personal qualities that define a complete student-athlete, with criteria including community service, excellence in the classroom, outstanding character and competition on the field.

In addition to his conference pitcher-of-the-year and all-America honors, Bibona owns the UC Irvine record for career strikeouts. His team advanced to NCAA post-season play for the fifth straight time. Bibona is one of 30 semifinalists for the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award, recognizing the game’s top player.

Bibona graduated this month with a degree in sociology and a 3.25 grade point average. He was the 2010 Big West Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. In addition to being a regular visitor at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County and coaching youth baseball, Bibona is a member of a non-profit organization called American Home Dream, which assists children with terminal illnesses.

This marks the fourth year for the baseball division of the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award. The University of Alabama’s Emeel Salem was the inaugural winner in 2007, Rice University’s Cole St. Clair was the recipient in 2008 and the University of Florida’s Brandon McArthur took home the award in 2009.

ABOUT THE AWARD
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award honors the attributes of senior student-athletes in four areas: classroom, community, character and competition. The award program is designed exclusively for college seniors who are utilizing their complete athletic eligibility, remaining committed to their university and pursuing the many rewards that a senior season can bring. Sportscaster Dick Enberg, Honorary Chairman of the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, first conceived the idea of an award for seniors in 2001 in response to the growing trend of men’s basketball players leaving school early for the NBA. The award program has expanded the past two years to include a total of nine NCAA® Division I sports – football, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s ice hockey, men’s lacrosse, baseball and softball in addition to men’s and women’s basketball. The award is sponsored by Lowe’s, an official Corporate Partner of the NCAA®, and managed by Premier Sports Management. For more information, visit www.seniorCLASSaward.com.

ABOUT LOWE’S
With fiscal year 2009 sales of $47.2 billion, Lowe’s Companies, Inc. is a FORTUNE® 50 company that serves approximately 15 million customers a week at more than 1,700 home improvement stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

ABOUT THE NCAA
The NCAA is a membership-led nonprofit association of colleges and universities committed to supporting academic and athletics opportunities for more than 400,000 student-athletes at more than 1,000 member colleges and universities. Each year, more than 54,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA championships in Divisions I.

Photo courtesy of UC Irvine Athletics

UNITED STATES – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, working in conjunction with the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the College Baseball Foundation, has released the list of 25 semifinalists for the 2010 Dick Howser Trophy, given to the top player in collegiate baseball.

The membership of the NCBWA will choose the Dick Howser Trophy based on two rounds of national voting. Three 2010 finalists will be announced just prior to the first game of the College World Series with a press conference slated for Saturday, June 10, at 10 a.m. (CDT) at Rosenblatt Stadium. The winner will be named in a national broadcast from Lubbock, Texas, on Friday, July 2.

The 25 candidates hail from 13 different conferences and 24 different schools. The ACC, Big Ten, Conference USA, Ohio Valley and SEC each led the way with three semifinalists. Nine different positions afield, including five starting pitchers, four first baseman and four third basemen among this diversified group.

The Dick Howser Trophy, given in memory of the former Florida State University All-America shortstop and major league player and manager who died of brain cancer in 1987, is regarded by many as college baseball’s most prestigious award.

2010 DICK HOWSER TROPHY SEMI-FINALISTS

Daniel Bibona, P, UC Irvine
Zach Cox, 3B, Arkansas
C.J. Cron, DH, Utah
Wes Cunningham, 1B, Murray State
Alex Dickerson, OF, Indiana
Mac Doyle, C, Wofford
Chris Duffy, OF, UCF
Yasmani Grandal, C, Miami (Fla.)
Cole Green, P, Texas (pictured)
Ben Heath, C, Penn State
Danny Hultzen, P, Virginia
Paul Hoilman, 1B, East Tennessee State
A.J. Kirby-Jones, DH, Tennessee Tech
Drew Lee, SS, Morehead State
Joe Leonard, 3B, Pittsburgh
Zack MacPhee, 2B, Arizona State
Mike McGee, UT, Florida State
Anthony Meo, P, Coastal Carolina
Hunter Morris, 1B, Auburn
Drew Pomeranz, P, Mississippi
Anthony Rendon, 3B, Rice
Jordan Ribera, 1B, Fresno State
Chance Ruffin, RP, Texas
Rob Segedin, 3B, Tulane
Alex Wimmers, P, Ohio State

Photo courtesy of Texas Media Relations

UNITED STATES — The College Baseball Foundation announced today the names of 25 players from across the country featured on the watch list for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award.

The Olerud Award, which recognizes a player who makes an impact both on the mound and at the plate, will be presented in Lubbock, Texas, on July 2 as part of the College Baseball Awards Show.

“We’re very excited to present the inaugural Olerud Award this year,” said Randy Norman, Olerud Award committee co-chair. “John Olerud was a great two-way player at Washington State and we look forward to honoring a player who will carry on that legacy.”

Danny Hultzen of the University of Virginia also is on the CBF’s Pitcher of the Year Award watch list. Sam Roberts from Virginia Military Institute also appears on the CBF’s Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award watch list.

Joe Leonard, a third baseman and pitcher at Pittsburgh, has a .455 batting average in a 176 at-bats. He also has 56 RBIs, seven home runs and 19 doubles, along with a 3.60 ERA and six saves.

Mike McGee of Florida State has the lowest ERA on the watch list (0.53 in 17.0 innings pitched). The right-handed outfielder also has a .327 batting average with nine home runs and 41 RBIs.

The SEC leads all conferences in representation on the watch list with four players. Three players from Ohio Valley Conference schools made the list. Cal State Fullerton features two players on the watch list – Tyler Pill and Nick Ramirez.

“A lot of schools don’t even have one two-way player,” Norman said. “For one school to have two players on this list is pretty impressive.”

The College Baseball Awards Show will take place on July 2 in Lubbock, Texas, as part of a nearly weeklong schedule of festivities sponsored by the College Baseball Foundation. The events also include the induction ceremony for the National College Baseball Hall of Fame.

2010 JOHN OLERUD AWARD WATCH LIST:

Jake Smith, Alabama (SEC)
Brett Eibner, Arkansas (SEC)
Ben Koenigsfeld, Army (Patriot)
Kolbrin Vitek, Ball State (MAC)
Brooks Pinckard (pictured), Baylor (Big 12)
Tyler Pill, Cal State Fullerton (Big West)
Nick Ramirez, Cal State Fullerton (Big West)
Josh Conway, Coastal Carolina (Big South)
Andrew Heck, Duquesne (Atlantic 10)
Bo Reeder, East Tennessee State (Atlantic Sun)
Tom Heithoff, Evansville (Missouri Valley)
Mike McGee, Florida State (ACC)
Brian Johnson, Florida (SEC)
Jerrud Sabourin, Indiana (Big 10)
Braden Kapteyn, Kentucky (SEC)
Justin Robichaux, Louisiana Lafayette (Sun Belt)
Justin Guidry, Middle Tennessee State (Sun Belt)
Michael Bottoms, Morehead State (OVC)
David Mills, Notre Dame (Big East)
Joe Leonard, Pittsburgh (Big East)
Billy Barber, Richmond (Atlantic 10)
Michael Adamson, Southeast Missouri (OVC)
Chad Oberacker, Tennessee Tech (OVC)
Danny Hultzen, Virginia (ACC)
Sam Roberts, Virginia Military (Big South)

Photo courtesy of Baylor Athletics

UNITED STATES – The four teams that advanced to the Patriot League Baseball Tournament beginning this weekend also received the individual honors from the League’s coaches on Tuesday, as Bucknell, Army, Holy Cross and Lehigh each garnered one of the four major awards.

Bucknell senior outfielder Andrew Brouse earned Player of the Year honors, while Army senior pitcher Matt Fouch was named the League’s Pitcher of the Year. Holy Cross freshman catcher Stephen Wadsworth is the Patriot League Rookie of the Year, with Lehigh Head Coach Sean Leary as the Coach of the Year.

Bucknell and Holy Cross led all schools with six players on the All-Patriot League Team, while Army, Lehigh and Navy each notched four selections. The Black Knights and Bison, who will square off in a semifinal series this weekend, shared League honors with four players as First-Team picks. Voting for major awards and All-Patriot League honors was conducted by the League’s baseball head coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own student-athletes or themselves.

The 2010 Patriot League Baseball Tournament begins with the semifinal round this weekend. In best-of-three series, No. 4 Bucknell visits No. 1 Army and No. 3 Holy Cross is at No. 2 Lehigh. Each series features a doubleheader on Saturday and decisive third game, if necessary, on Sunday. Every game in the Patriot League Baseball Tournament is scheduled for nine innings. The winners will move on to the Patriot League Baseball Championship series, scheduled for May 22-23 at the site of the highest remaining seed.

First-Team All-Patriot League

SP Matt Fouch (pictured), Army (Sr.) (unanimous first team)
SP Andrew Berger, Lehigh (Sr.)
RP Kevin McKague, Army (Jr.) (unanimous first team)
C B.J. LaRosa, Bucknell (Sr.)
1B Doug Shribman, Bucknell (Jr.)
2B Ben Yoder, Bucknell (Sr.) (unanimous first team)
SS Clint Moore, Army (Jr.)
3B Matt Perry, Holy Cross (Sr.) (unanimous first team)
OF Alex Azor, Navy (So.)
OF Andrew Brouse, Bucknell (Sr.) (unanimous first team)
OF Ben Koenigsfeld, Army (Jr.)
OF Jack Laurendeau, Holy Cross (Jr.)
OF Michael Speciale, Navy (Sr.)
DH Matt Fenster, Lafayette (Jr.)

Second-Team All-Patriot League

SP Nate Koneski, Holy Cross (So.)
SP Ben Nelson, Navy (Fr.)
SP Dylan Seeley, Bucknell (Jr.)
RP Cory Kent, Lehigh (So.)
C Stephen Wadsworth, Holy Cross (Fr.)
1B Kevin Mihalik, Lehigh (Jr.)
2B Matthew Curley, Navy (Sr.)
SS Ben Allen, Bucknell (Sr.)
3B Jim McConlogue, Lehigh (Jr.)
OF Nick Ciardiello, Holy Cross (Jr.)
DH Steve Tkowski, Holy Cross (So.)

Player of the Year
Andrew Brouse, Bucknell, Sr., OF

Pitcher of the Year
Matt Fouch, Army, Sr., SP

Rookie of the Year
Stephen Wadsworth, Holy Cross, Fr., C

Coach of the Year
Sean Leary, Lehigh

Photo courtesy of www.west-point.org

UNITED STATES — The College Baseball Foundation announced today the quarterfinalists for the 2010 Pitcher of the Year Award. The list features 25 of the nation’s finest Division I pitchers.

“It’s been really exciting to see the numbers these pitchers have put up all year,” said Justin Knowles, Pitcher of the Year committee co-chair.

The Pitcher of the Year Award will be presented in Lubbock, Texas, on July 2 as part of the College Baseball Awards Show.

The University of Texas features three pitchers among the 25 on the revised watch list. Cole Green is 9-0 with a 1.80 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 69.1 innings pitched. Chance Ruffin has 10 saves, a 1.06 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 25 appearances. Brandon Workman is 8-1 in 10 starts. He also has 65 strikeouts to go with his 1.61 ERA and only 12 walks.

UCLA and Coastal Carolina each have two pitchers on the watch list.

“For some of these schools to have multiple pitchers on the list is really impressive,” Knowles said. “As the regular season wraps up, it will be interesting to see how these pitchers continue to add to their statistics.”

There are 11 different conferences represented on the newest watch list, with the Big 12 and the Pac-10 each having four representatives.

Chris Patterson of Appalachian State has the lowest ERA (0.58) on the list. Asher Wojciechowski of The Citadel has 98 strikeouts, leading the watch list in that category.

The College Baseball Awards Show will take place on July 2 in Lubbock, Texas, as part of a nearly weeklong schedule of festivities sponsored by the College Baseball Foundation. The events also include the induction ceremony for the National College Baseball Hall of Fame.

2010 Pitcher of the Year Award Candidates:

Chris Patterson, Appalachian State
Kurt Heyer, Arizona
Seth Blair, Arizona State
Drew Smyly, Arkansas
Noe Ramirez, Cal State Fullerton
Asher Wojciechowski, Citadel
Anthony Meo, Coastal Carolina
Cody Wheeler, Coastal Carolina
Matt Barnes, Connecticut
Chris Sale, Florida Gulf Coast
Matty Ott, Louisiana State
Thomas Royse, Louisville
Drew Pomeranz, Mississippi
Matt Harvey, North Carolina
Alex Wimmers, Ohio State
Addison Reed, San Diego State
Blake Cooper, South Carolina
Cole Green, Texas
Chance Ruffin, Texas
Brandon Workman, Texas
John Stilson, Texas A&M
Daniel Bibona, UC Irvine
Trevor Bauer, UCLA
Gerrit Cole, UCLA
Danny Hultzen, Virginia

Photo courtesy of San Diego State Athletics

UNITED STATES — The quarterfinalists for the Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award were released recently by the College Baseball Foundation. The revised list features 25 of the nation’s finest shortstops.

The Wallace Award, sponsored by Mizuno, recognizes the nation’s top shortstop and will be presented on July 2 in Lubbock, Texas, as part of the College Baseball Awards Show.

“These players have recorded some very impressive statistics,” said Kevin Dunagan, Wallace Award co-chair. “They started the season strong and have continued to build on that success.”

The revised watch list features shortstops from 15 conferences, with the ACC, Big 12 and SEC leading the pack with three representatives each.

Ryan Soares of George Mason leads the watch list in batting average (.411). He also has 60 RBIs and a .975 fielding percentage.

Adam Bryan of Troy has the highest fielding percentage at .991 to go along with his .353 batting average, 41 RBIs and 13 homeruns.

The leading home run hitter on the list is Morehead State’s Drew Lee, who has 15 on the season, along with 14 doubles and one triple. He also leads in RBIs, with 62.

“We have a very strong field of candidates for this award again this year,” Dunagan said. “I have no doubt they will continue to put up strong numbers as the season winds down.”

The College Baseball Awards Show will take place on July 2 in Lubbock, Texas, as part of a nearly weeklong schedule of festivities sponsored by the College Baseball Foundation. The events also include the induction ceremony for the National College Baseball Hall of Fame.

Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award Candidates:

Josh Rutledge, Alabama, SEC
Drew Maggi, Arizona State
Tim Carver, Arkansas
Christian Colon, Cal State Fullerton
Marcus Semien, California
Taylor Motter, Coastal Carolina
Neal Pritchard, Elon
Stephen Wickens, Florida Gulf Coast Atlantic
Ryan Soares, George Mason
Derek Dietrich, Georgia Tech
Carter Jurica, Kansas State
Adam Duvall, Louisville
Austin Nola, Louisiana State
Jonathan Roof, Michigan State
Drew Lee, Morehead State
Ryan Aguayo, New Mexico State
Caleb Bushyhead, Oklahoma
Kenton Parmley, Southeast Missouri State
Justin Boudreaux, Southeastern Louisiana
Brodie Greene, Texas A&M
Adam Bryant, Troy
Tyler Cannon, Virginia
Sam Roberts, Virginia Military
Tim Smalling, Virginia Tech
Jedd Gyorko, West Virginia

Photo courtesy of USA Baseball