Baseball Manitoba Announces 2017 Award Winners
Baseball Manitoba – Brandon – Saturday evening, November 4, at the Clarion Inn & Suites in Brandon, Baseball Manitoba named its 2017 award winners in 15 categories, along with four new inductees into the prestigious Honour Society. Included in the award categories for the Baseball Manitoba was the “Region of the Year”.
Also presented were plaques to the various sponsors of Baseball Manitoba: Home Run Sports, Triple Crown Baseball, Heavy Metal Designs, Tim Horton’s, Winnipeg Goldeyes, Awards and More, Rawlings Canada and Sport Manitoba, thanking them for their support of our programs.
A special award from the National Coaches Certification Program – the Coach Developer Award presented by Investors Group, was presented to Glen Hunter of Winnipeg for his work as a coach developer in the province.
Listed below are the Manitoba Baseball winners of the various categories and biographies relating to the winners.
In addition to the banquet and convention, on Sunday, November 5 Baseball Manitoba held its Semi-Annual General Meeting and election of officers. The following are the Management Committee for the 2018 season:
|
Title |
Name |
Hometown |
|
President |
Tony Siemens |
Rosenort |
|
Past-President |
Ken Sharpe |
Minnedosa |
|
Vice-President of Finance |
David Whitehead |
Winnipeg |
|
Vice-President of Competition |
Terry Couvier |
Winnipeg |
|
Vice-President of Coach Development |
Faron Asham |
Brandon |
|
Vice-President Sports Development |
Nicole Madsen |
Hamiota |
|
Vice-President High Performance |
Kevin Booker |
Winnipeg |
|
Vice-President Policy |
Winston Smith |
Winnipeg |
|
Vice-President Umpires |
Pierre Bedard |
Winnipeg |
If you would like further information on this release, please contact the Baseball Manitoba office (204) 925-5765 or by email at baseball.morgan@sportmanitoba.ca.
Baseball Manitoba 2017 Award Winners
Category Name (Hometown) Team/League
Challenger Player of the Year Brett Hutton (Winnipeg) Challenger
13U Player of the Year Dillan Thiessen (Altona) Altona/South Central
15U Player of the Year Dawson Tanner (La Broquerie) La Broquierie/Carillon
18U Player of the Year John Patmore (Pipestone) Oil Dome/Team Manitoba Canada Games
Female Player of the Year Jamie Johnson (Arborg) Grosse Isle 18U/Team Manitoba 16U Girls
21U Player of the Year Cole Armstrong (Winnipeg) St. James A’s
Senior “AA” Player of the Year Ryan Shaw (Rivers) Rivers/Southwest All-Stars
Grassroots Coach Jeremy Culleton (Vassar) Carillon Minor
High Performance Faron Asham (Brandon) Team Manitoba Canada Games
Volunteer of the Year Bobbi Bottle (Winnipeg) Challenger Baseball
Grassroots Team La Broquerie 15U “AA” Carillon Minor
High Performance Team – Minor 2017 Canada Games Team Manitoba
High Performance Team – Major St. James A’s Juniors Manitoba Junior Baseball League
Youth Umpire of the Year Carter Williamson (Dauphin) Parkland Minor
Umpire Award of Merit Marty Flett (Ebb & Flow)
Honour Society Patti Hacault (Bruxelles) Pembina Hills
Brian Hodgson (Winnipeg) Winnipeg
Mike Johnson (Baldur) Pembina Hills
Marvin Mills (Boissevain) Oildome
Region of the Year North Winnipeg Minor ball
NOTE: Many of the award winners, but not all, were present at the banquet. If you would like a photograph of a specific person being presented their award, please email Morgan de Peña at baseball.morgan@sportmanitoba.ca
2017 Challenger Player of the Year – Brett Hutton
The Challenger Player of the Year is nominated by their coaches and decided upon by the Provincial Challenger Committee. They look at several different attributes that the player should possess, specifically sportsmanship, teamwork, coachability, a love for the game, and whether they have made a positive contribution to Challenger Baseball as a whole. They also encourage all players to set a personal goal at the beginning of the season and want to see that they have worked towards improving on that goal. It was a unanimous decision by the Manitoba Challenger Baseball Committee to award Brett Hutton as our 2017 Challenger Player of the Year. This was Brett’s first year with Challenger Baseball but from day one, he stood out with his display of sportsmanship and overall love for the game of baseball. He was always encouraging and cheering for his teammates and also the other team. He could very often be seen engaging everybody on the field, helping out where he could. He came to every game with a big smile and a hug or high five. Brett’s Coach awarded him the “Most Versatile Player Award” at the end of the season. Brett’s personal goal for 2017 was to work on his catching skills, though a particularly comical moment for Brett was that while he was supposed to be hitting the ball off the tee into the backstop. He couldn’t seem to avoid hitting fly-balls into the water at Chancellor Field. He thought it was hilarious! Brett was also very receptive to the Buddies that had joined the program and always listened to his coaches. No matter what, Brett was always having fun and smiling – the absolute definition of a true Challenger Player!
13U Player of the Year – Dillan Thiessen – South Central
On the field this past summer it was obvious that Dillan, a tall left hander from Altona, has a special talent. He performed exceptionally well for three baseball teams this past season (Altona, South Central “AAA” and Team Manitoba). He excelled in any position at which he was assigned – pitcher, catcher, outfield or 1st base and was dominant at the plate. A relatively quiet individual, his leadership was demonstrated on the field of play. He showed utmost respect for his teammates and coaching staffs and this was reciprocated by those whom he associated with at the ball park. Always positive, it appears that he loves the game and enjoys playing. This young man exhibits the qualities of a 5-tool player. Dillan was a force at the plate hitting numerous extra base hits and several homeruns with many of his hits occurring in key situations. He batted over 600 in “AA” and “AAA”, and over .500 at nationals. Though not traditionally a position for a lefthanded thrower, when catching, Dillan demonstrated quickness and agility in shutting down an opponent’s running game. He continued his defensive wizardry making highlight reel catches in the outfield or snagging many off target throws at first base. His rocket arm coupled with pinpoint control was exemplified by the many strikeouts he garnered throughout the season, with stunningly few walks. In true 5 tool player fashion, Dillan also showed tremendous speed on the base paths and in the field. Dillan is a player that coaches want on their roster as he demonstrates attentiveness, hard work ethic and respect for the game.
15U Player of the Year – Dawson Tanner – Carillon
Dawson is a player who displays himself the same way be it a practice or game. A quiet performer, he never flaunts his talent, letting his play speak for itself. Playing shortstop there is a lot of pressure, yet time and time again he makes every play look easy – as if it was just a practice and no one was running down the line. His footwork and his glove work is truly something that cannot be taught, making him one of the best shortstops in the province for his age. On the mound he was an absolute force. Blessed with an above average fastball and some exceptional off-speed pitches he made some of the best batters in the province wish they hadn’t stepped into the batter’s box. All year he batted near at the top of the lineup because he could do whatever was asked of him. He possessed the power to drive in runs, or if needed get on and steal a base. His competitive nature makes him an outstanding performer under pressure. He was an integral part of the La Broquerie Bantam “AA” team’s success in winning the Provincial and Western Canada Championships. He hit .650 at provincials with 4 home runs and at the Western final he threw a complete game shutout. Dawson was also picked up by Winnipeg South to attend nationals. Against Newfoundland he struck out 14 batters and allowed no runs on way to a 2 – 0 win. After the tournament he was also named the best pitcher. Through all of this he displays sportsmanship at all times and is an excellent role model.
18U Player of the Year – John Patmore – Oildome
John capped off his 18U baseball career with an outstanding 2017 season. A prominent player at all levels, John played on six different teams ranging from his local club team all the way to Manitoba’s Canada Games team that won the silver medal. No matter what team John plays for, he admired for his tireless work ethic and leadership. John battled a dislocated rib injury for much of the season, which he fought through to finish with a strong Canada Games tournament. His versatility on the diamond and ability to play where the team needs him is an underrated quality that provides flexibility for coaches to best make their lineup. While often playing the infield, with the Canada Games team he was the starting catcher in 6 of Team Manitoba’s 7 games and was the starting pitcher for the other game. John has been a valuable member the Reston Minor Ball association, not only as a player, but for his willingness to help out with anything to benefit the future players in his community. For all of John’s accomplishments, what he does off the field and how he gives back to the game, is when his character is truly displayed. He spent countless hours working at the ball diamonds, umpiring Minor games, and the younger kids enjoy when “Coach Patmore” is teaching them baseball. Many children in his community look up to John as a mentor and a friend. Admired and respected by many, his positive influence on his teammates is recognized and appreciated. His level of commitment, motivation and willingness to challenge himself and his peers, is unmatched.
Female Player of the Year – Jamie Johnson – Arborg/Team Manitoba
A dedicated multi-sport athlete, Jamie Johnson is the longest tenured player on the 16U team, as she first became a member of Team Manitoba at 13, playing up in her first tournament in Nova Scotia, where she pitched. This was her 5th season with the program. At the 2017 Baseball Canada National Championships, she threw 95 pitches, going 6 1/3 innings leading Manitoba to a 2-1 victory over BC. For her efforts she was named MVP for that game, and team MVP for the tournament. Her performance on the field helped Team Manitoba to a bronze medal, with a 5-4 victory over Nova Scotia. She is able to play multiple positions which make her valuable to the coaching staff. Jamie is conscientious and hardworking – a dependable, trustworthy and very coachable player. She is dedicated to her team and takes on leadership roles. Jamie is the one who is making sure her teammates are also working hard and staying on task. Her bat has been a big part of the team’s success, and Jamie works hard on her hitting – always wanting more swings if she can get them. She also played 18U AA this year for the Grosse Isle Blue Jays, and was a member of Team Manitoba at the 21U Women’s National. Jamie’s quiet personality, athletic aptitude and on-field skill sets make her an extraordinary role model. Her desire to compete with a never-quit work ethic, combined with her thoughtful, unassuming manner, makes her a favourite, and desirable teammate. She has raised the bar for her fellow ball players and that is all a coach can ask from their leaders.
21U Player of the Year – Cole Armstrong – St. James A’s
Cole was a stalwart for the St. James A’s, the MJBL league pennant winners, provincial junior champions, and Western Canada silver medalists. He also played at the 21U Nationals for the MJBL All-stars. For his efforts he was named winner of the Carey Candy Trophy/Eddie Cass Memorial Trophy for Manitoba Junior League MVP. Cole had another strong season for the A’s, as he was second in the league in batting average in the regular season, and lead the league in hits. He did this while striking out only 5 times during the season. However, it was beyond the statistical measures where Cole was most valuable. An acrobatic infielder, Cole is a quiet leader who decided the outcomes of several games through an amazing fielding play, or a clutch hit. A true competitor, he does all that is asked of him with little fanfare. His production with the glove helped the A’s become one of the top defensive teams in the league. Cole is also a great team leader as his character, athletic ability, and on-field skills make him a valuable asset to the A’s and the MJBL All-stars. Earlier in the spring Cole was named North Star Athletic Association Honourable Mention All-Conference outfielder while playing for the now defunct University of Winnipeg baseball program.
Senior “AA” Player of the Year – Ryan Shaw – Rivers
Ryan performed the amazing feat of pitching in all four Baseball Manitoba Senior Provincial Championships in 2017, winning 3 championships in the same season! On the mound he won the semi-finals of the Senior “AA” provincials as a pickup with the Boissevain Centennials, working into the 7th inning against Oak River. At the Senior “A” Provincials Ryan threw a pair of complete game shutouts with 19 strikeouts in 14 innings including a 2-0 victory in the final over Cartwright, a game in which he also had 2 hits and an RBI. The three provincial champions Ryan played for were the Oak River Dodgers (Senior “AAA”), Boissevain Centennials (Senior “AA”) and the Rivers Comets (Senior “A”). Ryan has been the heart and soul of the Rivers team since senior baseball returned to the community in 2015. When not on the mound Ryan catches and plays third base, and hits in the middle of the lineup. His ability to come through in the clutch at the plate and on the mound, was showcased in league play and provincial championships. He is an important part of the community often seen helping out with kid’s practices, or just hanging around the park putting in extra swings and helping look after the diamond. Ryan’s competitive nature and approach to the game serve as a great model for the younger players on the squad. The ultimate teammate, Ryan was always willing to take the ball in any situation, keen to contribute to the team in any way he could.
Grassroots Coach of the Year – Jeremy Culleton – Carillon
Jeremy has been influential in the growth and improvement of baseball players in his hometown of Vassar, and at a provincial level in his work with female baseball. He worked tirelessly in the 2017 season developing the sport of baseball at the grassroots level as he was involved as a coach on 5 different teams at the local, regional and provincial levels. This included 3 teams that were formed for the first time. The role he played in the organization and coaching of these programs will leave a legacy for years to come. This past season he coached the 11U team in the community and a 15U league team. He wanted to develop a program in his community as he knew not many others would go that route. There have been many kids that have experienced baseball in Vassar that would not have played the sport without their effort. Jeremy also coached the Carillon developmental 15U team this past summer. His work with the Carillon teams has been instrumental in the progress of baseball players in the Carillon Region. In addition, he was head coach of Team Manitoba 16U Girls team and helped with the Team Manitoba 21U Women’s team. Jeremy contributed in getting the Manitoba teams to the next level where they now play for a medal annually. He has taken players from the grassroot level and helped them advance to high performance. Jeremy is an outstanding individual who strives to make the people around him better. He is an effective leader with excellent communication skills, getting his message to players in a simple and efficient way. Being a teacher by trade, he has the ability to read his players, understand their individual personalities and address them in a way that makes them want to listen and learn. He knows how to relate to them, recognizing when they need a firm push and when to back off to gently encourage and support.
High Performance Coach of the Year – Faron Asham, Team Manitoba
Before almost 7,000 enthusiastic fans at Shaw Park in Winnipeg, Faron Asham coached Team Manitoba to a silver medal at the 2017 Canada Summer Games. This was the highest placement for a Manitoba team at a Canada Games in 32 years. 2017 marked the 11th year Faron served as a coach in the Manitoba provincial team program, making him the longest tenured coach in Baseball Manitoba provincial team history. A lot of things need to go right to accomplish something like a silver medal. He and his staff put three years into making sure this team was ready to compete, and they captivated the province. He was instrumental in developing the model for the selection and progress of the Team Manitoba Canada Summer Games program. He selected a first-rate coaching staff to assist him throughout the three-year period of the program, and gave many opportunities for young up and coming coaches to participate in team workouts and tournaments to give them exposure to and experience in high level baseball. Faron is a highly skilled, organized and dedicated coach. He has a deep understanding of the game, and how to get the best out of his players. He has experienced coaching success at every level of play in Manitoba and has been a leader in coaching development and mentorship across the province. His players play to the best of their abilities. His genuine love for the game and his commitment shows through as he constantly scours the province scouting players, looking for the best for Team Manitoba. While he is dedicated to player development, he is also very competitive. That competitiveness proved itself as Manitoba fought to win their pool at the Canada Games. He constantly communicates a “team first” philosophy to the players. His motivational style paid dividends this year, as all the players on the team really bought into the program.
NCCP Coach Developer Presentation
Glen Hunter of Winnipeg was presented with the Coaches Association of Canada Community NCCP Coach Developer Award presented by Investors Group. This award recognizes outstanding individuals who have gone above and beyond their role as a coach developer to develop certified and trained NCCP coaches in their communities, and inspire coaches in their sport and community. Glen has been a Coach Developer for 10 years, and has aimed to develop, support, and challenge coaches to hone their skills and increase their knowledge in order to provide a positive and effective sport experiences for all participants.
Volunteer of the Year Award – Bobbi Bottle of Challenger Baseball
Challenger Baseball is a program that provides an opportunity for children with cognitive or physical disabilities to enjoy the full benefits of participation in baseball at a level structured to their abilities. Bobbi Bottle has worked very hard to bring baseball to kids with special needs here in Manitoba. She was asked to take on this huge task and did so with such amazing commitment. She often works 40-50 hours a week to make sure that Challenger players have everything they need to participate in the game. That may be minor things such as making sure equipment is adapted and in the equipment bags at the start of the season, to making sure each player has a team uniform, and that teams have a place to play and a schedule. She plans all of the Challenger events, making sure coaches have all the tools they need to coach these special athletes. This includes keeping the committee on track and taking thousands of pictures to share! If there’s an opportunity for Challenger, Bobbi is there trying to make it happen, be that across Manitoba or even in Toronto. At the National Challenger Jamboree in Toronto, she acted as the “chef de mission” for the Manitoba players and families, and fundraised to help the players reduce cost. Not only does she take care of all the administrative functions of Challenger, wearing many hats, she also tries to take the time to get to know each player individually to make them feel special and included. She encourages everyone to put their best foot forward and swing for the fence. Challenger Baseball would not be here in Manitoba without Bobbi.
Grassroots Team of the Year – La Broquerie 15U “AA”
The La Broquerie 15U team was a very close group, dedicated and committed with all players making the practices and games. This paid off in both provincial and Western Canada championships. With the community hosting the 15U “AA” provincials, the coaching staff organized diamond improvement nights which included parents, players and the coaches throughout the year. Plenty of upgrades were needed such as building proper base paths, building new mounds, adding drainage and laying down sod. On the field, the La Broquerie team approached every game with class, and competed very hard with talented and dedicated players. It was evident when you watched this team play that the kids were having fun and always focused on the game. This group of players was a cohesive unit, both on and off the field, and they were a pleasure to coach and to watch them play. Veteran leadership, together with strong hitting and pitching, resulted in the team going undefeated through the provincial tournament, defeating Elkhorn in the final. Strong hitting, pitching and defense saw La Broquerie outscore their opponents 37 to 11 in winning 4 of the five games at the Westerns including a shut-out in the championship. Led by a core group of senior players, the team showed maturity and sportsmanship throughout the season and the team was excellent representatives of their program and community.
High Performance Team of the Year – Minor – Team Manitoba Canada Summer Games
Team Manitoba competed in the 2017 Canada Summer Games, compiling a 6-1 record and capturing the silver medal. A thrilling 1-0 victory over Alberta placed Manitoba in the gold medal game vs. Saskatchewan, the defending Canada Cup champions. The final game, witnessed by 6,800 fans at Shaw Park saw Manitoba lose a tight final, 3-1. This close-knit team was characterized by a quiet determination and a fierce competitive streak that enabled them to grind out wins in varied situations. They truly became a complete team during the three years of the development program leading up to the Canada Summer Games. The 2017 Canada Summer Games Team played a competitive 20 games schedule prior to the Games tournament, against older competition including America Legion, Junior and Senior Teams and then 7 games at the Canada Games. They came to trust in each other and to believe deeply in their coaches and in each other. Their accomplishment – in front of the largest crowd to ever watch a baseball game in the history of the Canada Summer Games – is truly a highlight in the history of baseball in Manitoba. There was emphasis on putting the team first, accepting your role and buying in to a philosophy that preached perfect practice. As a result, these athletes were excellent ambassadors for Baseball Manitoba and proud recipients of the silver medal.
High Performance Team of the Year – Major – St. James A’s Juniors
In only their 2nd year back in the Manitoba Junior Baseball League, after a 3-year absence, the St. James A’s not only captured the regular season pennant, but also the league championship – their first provincial title in 28 years, going back to 1989. This year they went 18 – 5 – 1 in the regular season, at one point winning 14 in a row. They then went 6 – 1 in the playoffs, defeating the defending champion Elmwood Giants convincingly in 3 straight games. At the Western Canada Junior Championships, The A’s went 5 – 1, but the Cinderella season came to an end as they lost in the final. A solid defensive and offensive team, from catcher to pitcher to all the fielders, the also had excellent pitching depth, with 3 of the top 4 hitters in the league, everyone contributed to the team’s success. There were no holes in the line-up, they received timely hits from everyone spot in the order. This close-knit team had members who have played with each other most of their athletic careers. Seven veterans in their last year of Junior baseball provided the leadership, direction and focus that resulted in this successful season.
Youth Umpire of the Year – Carter Williamson of Dauphin
Carter has been an umpire with Dauphin Minor Baseball for 3 years, and this season earned Level 2 status. He turned 15 this past month and has been a great influence on the younger players in his community. He encourages the players and offers kind reminders of the rules. Carter is developing official, noted for his discipline, willingness to learn and to take direction, and uses the umpiring skills he has been taught to their fullest. He displays fairness, good judgment, and shows respect to managers, coaches and players alike. His confidence is increasing, and he is becoming a better manager of the games. He communicates the count and outs with a clear loud voice and receives high praise for his officiating. Both local and visiting coaches comment about his impartial and fair performance, while parents have mentioned that he is a great young umpire that they enjoy having at their children’s games. This year he also helped coach in the Rally Cap program. Umpires are difficult to find in the Parkand region and Carter has made himself available to all the surrounding towns. A reliable, self-motivated, and hard-working individual, Carter enjoys the challenges associated with umpiring. As a confident official who makes a very good impression displaying excellent umpire skills, Carter has a fine umpiring career ahead of him.
Larry Nicholls Umpire Award of Merit – Marty Flett of Ebb & Flow
The late Marty Flett was a great ambassador for the Parkland umpires, and his passing this summer at the age of 65 was a deep loss to baseball in the Parkland region and in Manitoba. He was an umpire first and foremost and every game was important to him. Marty lived his whole life near the Ebb & Flow First Nation community and he always wanted to help any community. His umpiring began in the early 1980’s, and he worked both the east and west sides of Lake Manitoba, mainly doing senior tournaments, which were very popular at that time. During these tournaments it was “learning on the fly” as Marty usually did games by himself, and he was not a certified umpire until he took his first clinic in 1993. Thereafter, he attended clinics annually and began to improve and strengthen his officiating skills, eventually moving to Level 3 certification. He took great pride in attending the classes, and looked forward each spring to learning more about the game. Umpiring provided Marty with some unique experiences including the 1993 North American Indigenous Games in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, and the 2002 North American Indigenous Games in Winnipeg. He also worked many provincial championships that came to the Parkland region. He had a great sense of the game and developed a professional demeanor on the field – always well dressed, very disciplined, and displayed great commitment and dedication to umpiring. Quiet and calm, but firm and decisive on the field, he never missed an assignment, and umpired all levels of ball, from 11U to senior with the same relevance and professionalism. He also played in the early 90’s with the Ebb & Flow Lakers senior team that was inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame this past summer. In the winter months officiated hockey. Marty’s 23 years of umpiring may make him the longest tenured Manitoba First nations certified umpire.
Honour Society – Patti Hacault – Pembina Hills
The best volunteers usually end up wearing many hats. With that thought, Patti Hacault must have a closet full of lids – as she serves in numerous capacities for both the Pembina Hills Baseball League and Baseball Manitoba. A local artist of some renown, Patti has painted her way across the local baseball landscape. For many years, Patti has been the backbone of the Pembina Hills Minor baseball league working at both the grassroots and elite levels, along with various administrative roles. As a member of the Baseball Manitoba Sport Development Committee, she has championed the Rally Cap cause in her region, along with organizing the Grand Slam Jamborees. Each year she coaches at least one club team. She not only sits on the Baseball Manitoba Girls Baseball Committee but has taken charge in leading the way for girls around the province to play baseball, helping the office to organize the Girls Baseball Days, and continuing the effort with additional player camps throughout the summer. For the past six years, she has served as the manager for the provincial Girls teams, promoting, advertising, recruiting and organizing almost all aspects of the program. She has even gone so far as to set up a Manitoba Girls baseball webpage. As one of the few women who are Provincial Coach Certified, Patti has found herself coaching “AAA” teams for Pembina Hills. She also serves as league registrar and organizes the player development clinics for the players in the league. Patti takes on these positions not because she has to, but because she is passionate about the game of baseball. Her knowledge and experience are invaluable to the Pembina Hills region and to Manitoba. For her accomplishments Patti was recognized by both Baseball Manitoba as 2011 Volunteer of the Year, and by Sport Manitoba as their 2012 Volunteer of the Year. The Pembina Hills League would not be what it is today without the dedication, determination and, at times, self-sacrificing efforts of this amazing, committed volunteer.
Honour Society Inductee Brian Hodgson – Winnipeg
Brian Hodgson has a long and storied career as one of Manitoba’s most recognized umpires. He has been involved in Manitoba baseball as a player and umpire at an elite level since the early 1970s. He had a notable career with the Carman Goldeyes at the Junior and Senior levels from 1970-1986 where they won numerous League and Provincial championships. He represented Manitoba at the Canadian Championships in 1971, the Western Canadian Junior Championships in 1972, 1974 and 1975, and the Western Canadian Senior Championships in 1984. Since the completion of his playing career in 1986 he has supervised or umpired numerous championships including officiating at 14 nationals and 7 international events. He has also umpired professional baseball in the Northern League and the American Association and supervised many provincial, Western Canada and National championships. He has served as Vice President of Umpires for Baseball Manitoba from 1996-1999 and currently serves on the Baseball Manitoba Umpire Committee. He was selected by the International Baseball Federation to serve as an umpire at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China along with fellow Manitoba umpire Ron Shewchuk. A master course conductor for the National Officials Certification Program, Brian continues to be a leader in umpire development at all levels. He was awarded the Baseball Manitoba Umpire Award of Merit in 1993, and received Baseball Canada’s Umpire of the Year Award in 1999. In 2013 he was inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame.
Honour Society Inductee Mike Johnson – Baldur
Mike Johnson has a genuine love of baseball. A dedicated coach and administrator, his enthusiastic, positive and encouraging approach to the game has paid great dividends for those in Cartwright and the Pembina Hills League. Pembina Hills is one of the smallest leagues in the province, comprised of small farming communities in south-central Manitoba. The areas youth population as shrunk over the years, as the small farms are disappearing, being taken over by larger corporate farms. The player pool for this association is quite small, and traditionally teams from the area have struggled against associations with greater resources and populations to draw from. Mike has a long history with the game of baseball in the Pembina Hills region. He has played his entire career, both the minor and senior baseball leagues, in the Turtle Mountain League, the Border Senior League, and the Manitoba Senior Baseball League. A strong team player and pitcher, he played in Provincial championships, and represented Manitoba in inter-provincial competition. It is through this background that Mike has brought with him extensive knowledge of the game to the youth of the Pembina Hills area. Creating a winning atmosphere and a sense of pride for the players and the community is important. The first criteria is making the game fun for the participants. Mike spent years imparting his knowledge, experience and insight to his players, making practices enjoyable while getting them to believe in their highest goals. He is a terrific teacher of playing skills: a patient and competent instructor dealing in the introductory and advanced levels. Mike has that special knack for being able to teach players what to do, how to do it and also why they do it. He is an excellent coach, offering both technical and tactical skills in a quiet, confident approach harvesting the best from his team. Mike has a thirst to learn more, becoming a student of the game, taking notes, asking questions, and being involved in any way he can. His teams have attended many provincial and Western Canada championships and experienced success.
Honour Society Inductee Marvin Mills (Boissevain)
Great communities just don’t happen on their own. It takes many different people working together to provide services, to make homes and streets safe, and to provide programs for all the children, support their neighbours and to give their time and energy for community projects. Marvin Mills is one of those people. Marvin has been a tireless worker and volunteer for Boissevain Minor baseball and the Oildome league with an obvious dedication to baseball. His devotion, passion and sense of responsibility are an asset to both Boissevain and Oildome, and he has made a very significant contribution to baseball in Western Manitoba. When he was president of Boissevain minor, the community hosted a provincial championship each year he was involved, and he was a key member of each host committee. He has strived to keep the community programs economical and available for all who want to play. Through the years he has been very active in the fundraising and field maintenance aspects of the program. During his time as president he spearheaded several diamond improvements and projects including new fencing on two fields, and upgraded the infield shale on 2 other fields. He also purchased a 2nd batting cage and raised the funds for a new equipment shed and canteen area. Marv has also coached local and “AAA” teams in both Boissevain and Oildome, and spent years doing the scheduling for the Oildome league. Marvin served on both the Baseball Manitoba Competition and Sport Development Committees for several years, providing valuable insight and direction to further provincial championships. He also served as a Baseball Manitoba representative at various provincial championships. Any job that needs to be done, Marvin will initiate or help with. He does all this with grace and dignity, and a sense of humour. Dedicated, committed and diligent, his contributions have most assuredly provided lasting benefits to the sport of baseball in the community of Boissevain and the Oildome league.
Baseball Manitoba – Region of the Year – North Winnipeg Minor
The criteria for Region of the Year includes, but is not limited to: participation numbers, hosting of coaches and umpire clinics, participation in grassroots programs such as the Grand Slam Jamboree, My First Pitch and RBI, participation in elite programs such as the Youth Selects, Western Canada Games, and the performance of club and elite teams on the provincial, western and national stages
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Morgan de Peña
Executive Director
Baseball Manitoba
145 Pacific Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3B 2Z6
(204) 925-5765