Cannon Lester and Matt Mooney Receive League Awards
September 1, 2013 - Frontier League (FL)
Southern Illinois Miners News Release
Marion, IL - The Southern Illinois Miners are proud to announce that infielder Cannon Lester has beenawarded The Fran Riordan Citizenship Award and Matt Mooney has been named Clubhouse Manager of the Year. Voting for awards was done by general managers, coaching staffs, and local media in all Frontier League markets.
cannon-lester_websiteThe Fran Riordan Citizenship Award is given to the player that best exemplifies good citizenship off the field and in his community around the league. During spring training this season, the Miners held a team event playing wiffle-ball at "Wiffley Field", a wiffle-ball field in Carbondale.
Local neighbors and fans came out to watch the game. While the players were playing whiffle ball, Lester started his own game of whiffle ball with some of the neighbors and fans. He was the pitcher and he brought other players to help them learn to play.
"I'm very honored and excited to win the Frontier League's Citizenship Award", said Lester. "I try and live my life by certain standards and try to give back to others who might be less fortunate. I want to thank the entire Miners organization for their support and God Bless."
"There could not be a more deserving player for this award. We have had many high character players with the Miners in our seven year history, and Cannon is right there among the very best", said Miners manager Mike Pinto. "How he handles himself both on and off the field is an example for all young players. He is the first to sign autographs, the first to greet new teammates, the first to start a conversation with young children. Even fans from other cities come out to cheer him at our games."
"It has been my honor to have Cannon wear a Miners uniform", added Pinto. "He will always be a part of the Southern Illinois Miners family."
"The organization is thrilled for Cannon as he receives this award", said Miners Vice-President Tim Arseneau. "Cannon has been a great asset to the Miners for three seasons and for him to be recognized for his efforts not only on the field but off the field is truly exciting. We couldn't be happier."
Lester is in his third season playing for the Miners. Cannon is also an active volunteer for the Julie, Inc. reading program with the Miners. Last season, he was named the Most Valuable Player in the Frontier League Championship Series for his efforts against the Florence Freedom.
Matt Mooney receives Clubhouse Manager of the Year for the Miners. Mooney is the first clubhouse manager in the history of the Miners organization to receive the award.
As a clubhouse manager, Mooney is responsible for operating and overseeing the day to day operations of the home and visiting clubhouse at Rent One Park. Job duties consist of cleaning the clubhouse, making sure uniforms are prepared for each game and coordinating meals for the players and coaches.
"Matt has worked very hard as a clubhouse manager for a number of years in this league and we were fortunate to add him to the Miners family this year", said manager Mike Pinto. "He is a tireless worker, and works diligently to be sure our players have everything they need. Matt is also a great support system for our coaching staff and I'm so happy for him that the other teams in the league acknowledge the great job he does for everyone."
"I'm grateful to manager Mike Pinto and Vice-President Tim Arseneau for bringing me on as a member of the staff", said Mooney. "I am also grateful to River City for helping me get my start and allowing me to reach the point of where I am at today."
Mooney served as Clubhouse Manager in River City for five seasons before joining the Miners this season.
The Southern Illinois Miners are the 2012 Frontier League Champions and have been awarded the Frontier League Organization of the Year three times since its inception. It has also set a new Frontier League attendance record in 2007.
Frontier League Stories from September 1, 2013
- Evansville Narrowly Defeated in Series Finale against Schaumburg - Evansville Otters
- Grizzlies Win Second Straight Series; One Game Back in Wild Card - Gateway Grizzlies
- Freedom Hold off Late Rally and Sweep - Florence Y'alls
- ThundeBolts Take Series in Normal with 10-4 Win - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Aviators Drop Series Finale at Gateway 6-21 - Rockford Aviators
- Miners Lose to Rascals in Sunday Showdown - Southern Illinois Miners
- Boomers Secure Home Field with Road Sweep - Schaumburg Boomers
- CornBelters Drop Series Finale to ThunderBolts - Normal CornBelters
- Frontier League Awards Gateway Grizzlies 2014 All-Star Game - Gateway Grizzlies
- Crushers Sweep Greys - Lake Erie Crushers
- Beach Bums Walk off Joliet for Series Win - Joliet Slammers
- Beach Bums Stay in First with Gusrang's Walk-Off - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Washington Falls 7-5 in Valiant Comeback Effort on Sunday - Washington Wild Things
- Danny Canela Named Rookie of the Year - River City Rascals
- Cannon Lester and Matt Mooney Receive League Awards - Southern Illinois Miners
- Second Baseman CJ Beatty Selected to 2013 Frontier League Post-Season All-Star Squad - Washington Wild Things
- Freedom's Tanis Named League's MVP - Florence Y'alls
- Otters Receive Three Frontier League Postseason Awards - Evansville Otters
- Hernandez, Myers and Manzo Honored by Frontier League - Gateway Grizzlies
- Frontier League Post Season Award Winners Announced - FL
- Grizzlies Fall to Aviators - Gateway Grizzlies
- Aviators Tame Grizzlies 8-1 on Road - Rockford Aviators
- Hamilton Powers Freedom to Victory - Florence Y'alls
- Joliet No-Hits Traverse City - Joliet Slammers
- Otters Drop Series Finale against Schaumburg - Evansville Otters
- Slammers Use Six Pitchers To No-Hit Beach Bums - Traverse City Beach Bums
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