The South Atlantic League has announced the recipients of its annual Outstanding Achievement Awards.
All 14 teams, along with the field managers and umpires, participated in the voting for these awards.
Club Merit Award: The Lexington Legends have been selected as the winner of this prestigious award, which recognizes the “complete” baseball franchise that has demonstrated franchise stability and success, as well as significant contributions to its community and the South Atlantic League.
Community Service Award: The Greensboro Grasshoppers have been selected as the winner of this award, which recognizes a club’s outstanding, on-going commitment to charitable service, philanthropy and leadership within their community. This is the third year in a row that Greensboro has won this award.
Excellence in Marketing Award: The Greenville Drive were selected as the recipients of this award to recognize outstanding and creative marketing, promotional and brand-building efforts in their community. This is the third year in a row and the fourth time in seven years that Greenville has won this award (2010, 2014, 2015).
Patriot Award: The Charleston RiverDogs were selected as the recipient of this inaugural award to recognize outstanding support of military branches and engagement with veterans.
General Manager of the Year: Gary Durbin of the Lexington Legends has been selected as the winner of the General Manager of the Year award.
Female Executive of the Year: Anne Mapson of the Lexington Legends was selected as the Female Executive of the Year.
Sales Executive of the Year: Todd Olson of the Greensboro Grasshoppers was selected as the Sales Executive of the Year. This is the second time in three years that Todd has won this award (2014)
Media Relations Director of the Year: Greg Giombarrese of the Lakewood BlueClaws has been selected as the Media Relations Director of the Year. This is the second year in a row and fourth time in six years that Greg has won this award (2011, 2013, 2015)
Sports Turf Manager of the Year: Greg Burgess of the Greenville Drive was named the 2016 Sports Turf Manager of the Year in the South Atlantic League. This is the fourth time Greg has won this award (2008, 2010, 2013).
Best Playing Field Award: Fluor Field at the West End, home of the Greenville Drive, was also awarded the 2016 Best Playing Field Award. This is the fifth time the field in Greenville has been honored (2007, 2008, 2010, 2013).
Athletic Trainer of the Year Award: Dustin Vissering of the Hickory Crawdads has been selected as the 2016 South Atlantic League Athletic Trainer of the Year by his peers in the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS).
Bat Person of the Year Award: Brandon Groomes from the Hagerstown Suns was selected as the Bat Person of the Year. This is the second year in a row that Brandon has won this award.
Visiting Clubhouse Manager of the Year Award: Tom Romano and Brian Masotta of the Lakewood BlueClaws were selected as the Visiting Clubhouse Managers of the Year. Romano also won the award in 2012.