The efforts of Little League® volunteers and graduates was honored at the annual American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Convention on Sunday, January 4.
The ABCA, annually, presents awards to various members of the baseball community at all levels, from Little League to Major League Baseball. At their convention in Orlando, Fla., the ABCA presented Baseball Commissioner-elect, Rob Manfred, with the 2015 ABCA Honor Award. Mr. Manfred, a graduate of Rome (N.Y.) Little League, will assume the office of Commissioner later this month, following the retirement of Allan H. (Bud) Selig. The first Little League graduate to hold the position, Mr. Manfred visited the Little League Baseball® World Series in August 2014.
Also recognized at the ABCA Honors Luncheon was Carma Brown, who received the 2015 ABCA Meritorious Service Award. Ms. Brown operates the Little League Challenger Division® in Grand Junction, Colo. The ABCA honored her work growing the program and gathering support from the local community, area high school athletes, the athletic department at Mesa State College, and the teams participating in the National Junior College Athletic Association DI Baseball Championship held in Grand Junction, as buddies and volunteers for the Challenger Division. A dedicated volunteer, Ms. Brown has grown the Challenger Division in Grand Junction to a total of eight teams, providing a meaningful Little League experience to more than 80 individuals with physical or intellectual challenges.
Congratulations to both Mr. Manfred and Ms. Brown on their awards, and all those honored at the ABCA Convention this January.