Black Baseball Media will be honored with the Len DiForte Amateur Baseball Service Award at the 77th Annual Pitch and Hit Club Awards Banquet. The banquet will be held January 19 at the Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park. Doors open at 3:30PM for autographs and the memorabilia auction. Dinner begins at 5PM.
Earnest Horton aka “Coach E OF Guru” has been a staple in the inner city of Chicago Community. Coach E is the CEO and Co-Founder of Black Baseball Media. He has 13 plus years of coaching baseball in Chicago and the Chicagoland area. His passion for the game of baseball inspired him to give back to underserved youth in Chicago. Coach E was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. He attended Hyde Park Career Academy in Chicago’s Woodlawn community. Coach E earned a baseball scholarship to attend the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He was a three-year starter for UAPB. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Science with a concentration in Physical Education. In 2013, Coach E earned his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from DePaul University. Currently Coach E is entering his 14th year as a Physical Education and Health teacher at Sullivan High School.
OTHER AWARD WINNERS
Lou Boudreau Hall-of-Fame – A. J. Pierzynski
Lou Boudreau Hall-of-Fame – Gene Honda
Chicago Area MLB Player of the Year – Michael Massey – KC Royals
Harry Carry Sportscaster of the Year – Matt Spiegel – 670 The Score
High School Softball Player of the Year – Madison Vrastil – Andrew High School
Chicago Area College Player of the Year – Kendal Ewell – UIC
Gordie Gillespie College Coach of the Year – Brian Michalak – University of St. Francis
High School Softball Coach of the Year – Tom Poulin – St. Charles North High School
Chicago Area Minor League Team of the Year – Kane County Cougars
BANQUET TICKETS
They will be available at all meetings. They are also available at https://pitchandhitclub.com/banquet/. Tickets are $85 member price, $100 non-member and $825 for a table of ten.