Mike McCartney will be honored with the Presidents 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.
At this time last year, Mike McCartney was one of two remaining board members of the LaGrange Babe Ruth league (LGBR). Several board members had retired after a decade or more years of service to the league. The field rental agreement with the local park district was up for renegotiation and there were rumblings that a master plan might eliminate the fields LGBR had used for decades. Simply put, there was a good chance 150 kids would not have a local and affordable option to play baseball in the summer of 2024 and beyond.
Even though time was not on his side, Mike quickly assembled a new board of directors, rebuilt the league website, commissioned a new LGBR logo, negotiated a new field rental agreement with the local park district, oversaw the registration process and player draft of two divisions and served as the commissioner for both the Junior and Senior Leagues. He also assisted in coaching his son’s team when he was available.
For 13 – 19 players, community baseball was almost extinct in LaGrange and it surrounding communities. Due to Mike’s selfless efforts, LaGrange Babe Ruth baseball will continue to provide playing opportunities for hundreds of players in the years to come.
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
Len DiForte Amateur Baseball Service Award – Black Baseball Media
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.