Now that the regular season has concluded, the Low-A South Atlantic League is unveiling its 2019 Outstanding Achievement Awards. All 14 clubs, along with the field managers and umpires, participated in the voting for these awards.
Club Merit Award: The Charleston RiverDogs 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 third time Charleston has won this award, having also won it in 2006 and 2012.
Community Service Award: The Greensboro Grasshoppers have been selected as the winner of this award, which recognizes a club’s outstanding, ongoing commitment to charitable service, philanthropy and leadership within their community. This is the fourth time in seven years that Greensboro has won the award, having also won it in 2014, 2015, and 2016.
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 sixth year in a row and the seventh time in ten years that Greenville has won this award (2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018).
Patriot Award: The Augusta GreenJackets were selected as the recipient of this award that recognizes outstanding support of the military and engagement with veterans. This is the second year in a row that Augusta was won this award, having also won it in 2018.
General Manager of the Year: Chris Bitters of the Delmarva Shorebirds has been selected as the winner of the General Manager of the Year award, which recognizes outstanding leadership and administrative skill in running a club during the past year.
Female Executive of the Year: Dale Stickney of the Charleston RiverDogs was selected as the Female Executive of the Year, which recognizes a female who has made outstanding contributions to her club, to the South Atlantic League or to the baseball industry during the past year.
Media Relations Director of the Year: Emma Tiedemann of the Lexington Legends has been selected as the Media Relations Director of the Year, which recognizes outstanding performance in achieving publicity and visibility for their club through traditional, broadcast and digital media.
Sales Executive of the Year: Ben Abzug of the Charleston RiverDogs was selected as the Sales Executive of the Year, which recognizes outstanding sales performance over the past year.
Sports Turf Manager of the Year: Greg Burgess of the Greenville Drive was named the 2019 Sports Turf Manager of the Year in the South Atlantic League. This is the fifth time Greg has won this award (2008, 2010, 2013, 2016).
Best Playing Field Award: Fluor Field at the West End, home of the Greenville Drive, was awarded the 2019 Best Playing Field Award. This is the sixth time the field in Greenville has been honored (2007, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2016).
Athletic Trainer of the Year Award: Darren Yoos of the Hagerstown Suns has been selected as the 2019 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: Ben AvRutick from the Charleston RiverDogs was selected as the Bat Person of the Year.
Visiting Clubhouse Manager of the Year Award: CJ Yarborough of the Columbia Fireflies was selected as the Visiting Clubhouse Manager of the Year.