Last night, the Victorian baseball community gathered for an amazing celebration at the 2019 Baseball Victoria Annual Awards Night, proudly presented by VIVA.
More than 250 attendees enjoyed the evening of entertainment, awards, special honours and baseball achievements at Leonda By The Yarra in Hawthorn.
With a stunning autumn setting overlooking the Yarra River, Master of Ceremonies Ian Cohen kept the crowd engaged and excited as award winners were revealed. This included standout athletes from the Victorian Summer Baseball League competition and Volunteer of the Year, Coach of the Year, and 2019 Inclusion Club of the Year. Baseball Australia Hall of Fame inductee Brett Ward was also honoured, as well as Michele Winther and Ian Bishop who were formally welcomed as Baseball Victoria Life Members.
Congratulations to all of our amazing award winners on their well-deserved wins and impressive accomplishments!
Division 1 Women’s
Home Run Award Abbey McLellan – Footscray and Emily Devine - Springvale (2 HR each)
Pitching Award Gabby Bevan – Springvale (ERA 4.15)
Batting Award Shae Lilywhite – Springvale (BA .667)
Most Valuable Player Gabby Bevan – Springvale (24 Votes)
Division 3
Home Run Award Geoff MacDonald – Ormond Glenhuntly (8 HR)
Pitching Award Kyungsoo Jeon – Ormond Glenhuntly (ERA 0.88)
Batting Award Geoff MacDonald – Ormond Glenhuntly (BA 0.515)
Most Valuable Player Geoff MacDonald – Ormond Glenhuntly (30 Votes)
Division 2
Home Run Award Nick Di Benedetto – Doncaster (3 HR)
Pitching Award Scott Barr – Newport (ERA 1.33)
Batting Award Andrew Gribbin – Cheltenham (BA .480)
Club Champion Award – Peter Dihm Shield Cheltenham Rustlers Baseball Club
Robert R Hindson Medal Most Valuable Player Jesse Remington – Cheltenham (25 Votes)
Division 1
Home Run Award Tom Dicker – Fitzroy (11 HR)
Harry Douglas Memorial Trophy - Pitching Award Skyler Sylvester – Blackburn (ERA 1.38)
Batting Award Jarryd Rogers – Melbourne (BA .405)
George S Heron Medal - Most Valuable Player Jeremy Young – Sunshine (32 Votes)
Harry Wonnacott Medal – Division 1 Grand Final Series MVP Luke Hughes - Blackburn
Club Champion Award – Peter Dihm Shield Geelong Baycats Baseball Club
Melbourne Aces Awards
Clubman Award Allan De San Miguel
Aces Pitching Award Dushan Ruzic
Aces Batting Award Luke Hughes
Golden Glove Fielding Award Darryl George
Most Valuable Player Darryl George
Volunteer of the Year
Tony Cornish, President of Essendon Baseball Club, was awarded the 2018/19 Volunteer of the Year Award.
Umpire of the Year
Stewart Howe was awarded the Robert Blackmore Shield as the Umpire of the Year, as voted on by the Baseball Umpires Association of Victoria. Stewart umpired 35 ABL games at Melbourne Ballpark and Geelong Baseball Centre, along with 48 Baseball Victoria games. He dedicates his time to running training sessions and helping other umpires in their important role.
Inclusion Club of the Year
Cheltenham Rustlers Baseball Club was named the 2019 Inclusion Club of the Year Award Winner, thanks to their continuous efforts to grow the sport of baseball at all levels and providing opportunities for everyone to play this beautiful game regardless of age, gender or skill level.
Coach of the Year
Duane Davenport of Essendon Baseball Club was recognised with the 2018/19 Coach of the Year Award. He led Essendon’s Women’s Division 1 team to a fantastic Grand Final victory over Springvale in a thrilling upset. His dedication to the development of players and helping them achieve their personal goals and aspirations is truly admirable.
Baseball Victoria CEO Justin Huber was thrilled with the evening and the turnout of players, coaches, volunteers and supporters.
“Last night was an amazing showcase of baseball in our state, and it was wonderful to celebrate the end of our successful 2018/19 VSBL season. Congratulations again to all the awards winners and special thanks to all the BV staff and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to make this event the best it could be.”
Baseball Victoria would like to thank VIVA for making this event possible, as well as all our participants, sponsors, award winners, club volunteers and guests who made the evening so memorable. We are looking forward to another fantastic twelve months ahead and we hope to make next year’s awards celebration even bigger and better for our valued baseball members.