A SERIES OF AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE WERE HANDED OUT AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
BEYOND EXCELLENCE > From left to right: Sarah Marques (2012 TP Baseball Female Participant Of The Year); Sam Hull and Daniel Henke Tarnow (co-winners of the 2012 TP Baseball Male Participant Of The Year).
Before an enthusiastic crowd at the annual TP House League Baseball General Membership meeting at the Alex Duff Pool Building this afternoon, the Toronto Playgrounds Baseball Committee announced the winners of its 2012 TP Awards in the categories of Female Participant; Male Participant and Volunteer of the Year.
The Committee presents awards annually to people who embody the spirit and principles of our TP house league baseball program. It gives recognition to Players, Coaches, Umpires and Parents who go beyond the call of duty and volunteer their energy and time to make our baseball program the wonderful experience that it is.
Here are the winners of our 2012 awards:
2012 Female Participant of the Year: Sarah Marques
Sarah hasn’t been part of our house league program for very long… in fact this was her first season, and she was a player on the A’s in our bantam division. Sarah was an extremely enthusiastic participant who made it to practically every one of her games and practices. As well, she regularly turned up during the summer months at the bantam games not involving her own team in order to get in those games and play more baseball. That was extremely helpful to us, because it made it easier to ensure that we would get as many games in as possible. She always did her best and is extremely coachable. She has also always been ready and willing to compliment and congratulate someone on the other team for a great play or a good effort. Sarah was also involved in our league as an umpire this past season, and brought a great sense of responsibility and focus to that role while interacting with the players and coaches in an out-going and friendly manner. She was involved in many games as an umpire despite not doing a clinic until the beginning of July. One of the highlights for Sarah in her first year of playing in our league was having Casey Irwin as a coach! Way to go Sarah!
2012 Male Participant of the Year: Daniel Henke Tarnow and Sam Hull
Daniel has been part of our house league program for quite a while… he first played in his senior year of rookie ball, which was eight seasons ago. This season he was a player on the Lizzies in our midget division. Daniel has always been a keen and enthusiastic participant who has been extremely coachable, and he has also consistently been a great kid who always has been ready and willing to compliment and congratulate someone on his or the other team for a great play or a good effort. He has always been a great teammate. This season, once some concussion issues cleared up, he made it to practically every one of his games. In addition, he regularly turned up during the summer months at the midget games not involving her own team in order to get in those games and play more baseball. That was extremely helpful to us, because it made it easier to ensure that we would get as many games in as possible. This was also Daniel’s third season being involved in our league as an umpire, and he has always brought a great sense of responsibility and focus to that role while interacting with the players and coaches in a respectful and friendly manner. Daniel was one of our “go-to-guys” in terms of organizing umpires for our end-of-season tournament games. Daniel has always enjoyed the friendly and pleasant environment of the TP houseleague…he says it’s a nice place to play ball. Well done Daniel!
This was Sam’s fourth season being part of our house league program… he started in his second year of peewee, played two seasons in bantam, and this season was a player on the Homesteads in our midget division. Sam has always been a keen student of the game and enthusiastic participant who has been extremely coachable. Like Daniel, Sam has also consistently been a great kid who always has been ready and willing to compliment and congratulate someone on his or the other team for a great play or a good effort. He has always been a great teammate. Over the four seasons that he has played in our league, Sam has missed very few games, and he made it to practically every one of his games again this past season. In addition, he also regularly came out during the summer months at the midget games not involving her own team in order to get in those games and play more baseball, which again made it easier to ensure that we would get as many games in as possible. This was Sam’s second season of umpiring, and he too has always been extremely responsible and focused in that role while interacting with the players and coaches in a friendly and respectful manner. Sam was also one of our “go-to-guys” in terms of organizing umpires for our end-of-season tournament games. Sam has always appreciated the relaxed atmosphere of our houseleague and that everyone gets equal playing time regardless of skill level. Congratulations Sam!
Matt Byrnes (2012 TP Baseball Volunteer Of The Year)
2012 Volunteer of the Year: Matt Byrnes
Matt has been involved in our house league program for two seasons now, coaching two teams both seasons. Matt is one of those great “two-for-one” coaches we sometimes get with two kids two years apart who will always be in two separate divisions… until midget, so there is some hope of coaching one team with both of them if you hang in there long enough Matt! To this point Matt has coached in our rookie ball, mosquito, and peewee divisions. However, in addition to coaching two teams, it is Matt’s great and obvious joy of coaching that has really shone through. It’s always easy to tell when teams are having a good time, and Matt’s teams certainly fit that description. He has always been more than happy and willing to help out with players from other teams if other coaches are delayed or not available… in fact this past season due to our select practice arrangements in the peewee division Matt regularly ran houseleague practices for players from his team and other houseleague teams as well. Thanks a lot Matt for everything you’ve already put into our league, and we look forward to more in the future!