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South Atlantic League Names 2017 Award Winners

Sally League

The South Atlantic League is handing out the hardware, as it has named the recipients of the 2017 South Atlantic League Outstanding Achievement Awards. All 14 teams, along with the field managers and umpires, participated in the voting for these awards. 

Club Merit Award:  The Greenvill Drive 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.  This is the second time Greenville has won this award, having also won it in 2010.

Community Service Award:  The Lexington Legends 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 second time Lexington has won this award, which they also won in 2013.

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 fourth year in a row and the fifth time in eight years that Greenville has won this award (2010, 2014, 2015, 2016).

Patriot Award:  Hannah Frenchick of the West Virginia Power was selected as the recipient of this award to recognize her outstanding support of military branches and her engagement with veterans.

General Manager of the Year:  John Katz of the Columbia Fireflies has been selected as the winner of the General Manager of the Year award.

Female Executive of the Year:  Abby Naas of the Columbia Fireflies was selected as the Female Executive of the Year.

Media Relations Director of the Year: Doug Maurer of the Asheville Tourists has been selected as the Media Relations Director of the Year.

Sales Executive of the Year:  Ross Combs of the Hagerstown Suns was selected as the Sales Executive of the Year.

Sports Turf Manager of the Year:  Mike Williams of the Charleston RiverDogs was named the 2017 Sports Turf Manager of the Year in the South Atlantic League.  This is the fifth time Mike has won this award (2009, 2011, 2012, 2014).

Best Playing Field Award:  Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, home of the Charleston RiverDogs, was also awarded the 2017 Best Playing Field Award.  This is the fifth time the field in Charlelston has been honored (2009, 2011, 2012, 2014).

Athletic Trainer of the Year Award:  Mike Sole of the Charleston RiverDogs has been selected as the 2017 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 third year in a row that Brandon was won this award.

Visiting Clubhouse Manager of the Year Award:  Marcus Commander of the West Virginia Power was selected as the Visiting Clubhouse Manager of the Year.

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