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Baseball Oshawa Major Awards for 2021

By Admin, 11/27/21, 10:00AM EST

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Every year numerous volunteers spend countless hours ensuring that the association can run each summer. The last seasons have been extremely challenging for the association. Still, thanks to the efforts of executive members, convenors, coaches and parents, we have been able to provide a top-notch experience for the kids.

Please join us in congratulating our Major Award winners.

Presenting our 2021 Major Award Winners

President's Awards of Excellence

Sam Dempster – Sam for years has been an unwavering mountain of support behind the scenes for Baseball Oshawa. Aside from his highly decorated coaching career in minor baseball, to college baseball, to coaching internationally, including the World Baseball Classic, Sam was also a Major League scout for over 20 years with the New York Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers. Despite all of these roles, Sam always found time to help our Baseball Oshawa association. Whether it be assisting in tournament hosting, preparing fields after rain delays, fixing equipment, putting up the batting cage at the stadium, borrowing him and his truck to move stuff annually, he was always willing to help. He never said no. It is with great pleasure we present our association's highest award to Sam Dempster.

Samantha (Sam) Chilvers – Serving as the public address announcer for numerous Oshawa Legionaires rep teams over the years, Sam, as we call her… was and is the role model of professionalism while serving as the Voice of the Legionaires. She is likely approaching nearly 500 games announced with our association, including league games, exhibition games, play-offs, championships, national events, baseball day in Oshawa showcases, and more. Her talent behind the microphone is second to none. Not only has she been an outstanding contributor to our association for many years, but she seldom misses a game. I am proud to recognize Samantha Chilvers.

Brian Gillan – When you look up the words committed and dedicated in Webster's dictionary, you will find Brian's name. For many years Brian has been an unselfish champion as an assistant coach with our young Legionaires teams. I had the distinct pleasure to see this amazing commitment and unselfish approach to coaching young ballplayers firsthand when I joined our 13UAAA coaching staff to lend a hand this past summer under Head Coach Scott Lee. Despite dealing with some difficult personal circumstances with loved ones off the field, Brian never stopped giving back to the kids and team. He was always there for the players. I know this type of commitment can be found in our amazing assistant coaches up and down our roster, but Brian sets the bar higher than anyone and asks nothing in return. Please congratulate Brian Gillan.


Al Smith – Many of you may recognize our final Award of Excellence recipient as simply "Al." For those who don't, this is Al. An individual who is a fixture at Kinsmen Stadium, even more so than legend Jim Lutton. Al can be counted upon to be at the stadium, lending a hand every time a game or tournament takes place. Some weeks that is an everyday occurrence. His roles include helping set up the scorer's booth, set up equipment, open doors and lock doors, greet fans, and say hi to many of the players, parents, and fans who know Al so well. He also helps with major championship events in crowd control, gate access, ticket selling and so on. He will also be one of the last people to leave the stadium at the end of the night. Tonight we want to recognize what an amazing amount of time Al has committed over the years to help baseball be better. And we sincerely thank you. Al Smith.
 

Junior Umpire of the Year – Killian Bradley

One of several bright young umpire stars developing in our association and continued to be counted upon to do a large workload due to the covid shortage in umpires. Has turned heads with umpire leadership with his game-calling ability. Very deserving of this highest honour of Junior Umpire of the Year. Killian Bradley.


Senior Umpire of the Year – Corey Dalton

One of our very own and respected as one of the best umpires in the province, Corey was named as part of the umpiring crew this past summer for the 2021 U23 World Cup in Mexico. Quite an honour. Corey continues to be able to fit in assignments with our local association and loves doing games no matter the level assigned. I am pleased to present the Senior Umpire of the Year award to Corey Dalton.


Association Volunteer of the Year – Josh Ward

This person has been a tremendous volunteer and made a huge impact on the success of our House League overall. Countless hours are required to serve as our House League Director in season and many, many hours required in planning in the off-season. He has been a major force with keeping our House League program continuing the past two years through covid. What an amazing job he has done for the association. Association Volunteer of the Year – Josh Ward.


House League Volunteer of the Year – Ryan March

This person has coached for years now within the Baseball Oshawa House League program. He very clearly puts his heart into the game and the experience of his players, and is respected by parents and players alike for providing all players with opportunities. This year, he stepped forward to join Baseball Oshawa as the House League Mosquito Convenor and demonstrated a consistent willingness to ensure the league ran as smoothly as possible. In addition to this, he has joined the coaching staff of our Select 11U team for 2022. We appreciate his involvement, and we look forward to continuing to work with Ryan to build the House League program. Congratulations to our House League Volunteer of the Year, Ryan March.

Rep Coach of the Year – Shawn Earle

Shawn has coached up through all levels of the association in our rep program. This past summer and off-season, Shawn moved to the lead role with our Oshawa Legionaires 15U Elite program in the PBLO. In doing so, he continued the success he has experienced in the past in 2021 and skippered the Legionaires to a 2nd place regular-season finish in the Premier Baseball League of Ontario and then topped it off by capturing the PBLO 15U Championship on home turf. Rep Coach of the year. Shaw Earle.


Rep Team of the Year – Oshawa Legionaires 15U elite

This team of talented elite players playing in their very first year in the PBLO finished the 28-game regular season in 2nd place overall before running the table and capturing the 15U PBLO Championship at home at Kinsmen Stadium. A remarkable accomplishment in just their first year in the PBLO Elite league. Rep team of the year – Oshawa Legioniares 15U Elite.