FL Frontier League

Frontier League Announces Post-Season Awards

Published on September 1, 2011 under Frontier League (FL) News Release


Sauget, IL - Outfielder Stephen Holdren of the River City Rascals, starting pitcher Josh Lowey of the Rascals, starting pitcher Casey Barnes formerly of the Washington Wild Things, and field manager Bart Zeller of the Joliet Slammers headline the Frontier League's 2011 Post-Season All-Star Team and award winners. The Lake Erie Crushers were honored as Organization of the Year with John Dittrich and Bill Waliewski of Joliet being voted Executive of the Year and Danny Sawyer of River City winning the Fran Riordan Citizenship Award.

Stephen Holdren was voted the Morgan Burkhart Award winner as Most Valuable Player along with being to the All-Star Team for the second consecutive season. Holdren currently ranks fourth in the Frontier League in batting average (.333), home runs (20), and RBI (78). He is completing his sixth Frontier League season and ranks in the career top five for games played, at bats, runs scored, hits, home runs, and RBI. Along with the Rascals, Holden has played for the Windy City ThunderBolts, Rockford RiverHawks, Gateway Grizzlies, and Southern Illinois Miners.

Josh Lowey won the Brian Tollberg Award as Pitcher of the Year. Lowey is tied for third in the Frontier League with 109 strikeouts, tied for fourth with 10 wins, and ranks fourth with a 2.53 ERA. His .833 winning percentage this season is the best for any pitcher with at least 10 decisions. Lowey was the Championship Series Most Valuable Player in 2010 and is in his fourth season in the Frontier League.

Casey Barnes was voted the Jason Simontacchi Award winner as Rookie of the Year. Barnes, who signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in early August, posted a 5-5 record and 2.34 ERA (third in the Frontier League) for the Wild Things. He was the starting pitcher for the East Division in the 2011 All-Star Game.

Bart Zeller won the Rogers Hanners Award as Manager of the Year. Zeller has led the expansion Slammers to the East Division title and has Joliet in reach of achieving the most wins of any first-year team in the Frontier League. Zeller served on the coaching staff of the Southern Illinois Miners for four years before being named to lead the Slammers.

Danny Sawyer is in his fourth season in the Frontier League and was the West Division starting catcher in the All-Star Game. Sawyer has developed a great reputation throughout the Frontier League for his on-field manner and his off-field activities and fan interaction.

The complete Post-Season All-Star Team and award winners are:

1B - Logan Parker, River City Rascals

2B - Will Block, Southern Illinois Miners

3B - Chris Curley, Florence Freedom

SS - Andrew Davis, Lake Erie Crushers

OF - Stephen Holdren, River City Rascals

OF - J.T. Hall, Traverse City Beach Bums

OF - Alvaro Ramirez, Normal CornBelters

C - Landon Hernandez, Gateway Grizzlies

DH - Charlie Lisk, Gateway Grizzlies

SP - Josh Lowey, River City Rascals

RP - Ryan Quigley, Joliet Slammers

Morgan Burkhart Award (MVP) - Stephen Holdren, River City Rascals

Brian Tollberg Award (Pitcher of the Year) - Josh Lowey, River City Rascals

Jason Simontacchi Award (Rookie of the Year) - Casey Barnes, Washington Wild Things

Roger Hanners Award (Manager of the Year) - Bart Zeller, Joliet Slammers

Fran Riordan Award (Citizenship) - Danny Sawyer, River City Rascals

Coach of the Year - Mike Breyman, River City Rascals

Trainer of the Year - Matt Yonkof, Lake Erie Crushers

Groundskeeper of the Year - Lance Adler, Evansville Otters

Newspaper of the Year - The Observer-Reporter (Washington, Pennsylvania)

Writer of the Year - Chris Dugan, Observer-Reporter (Washington, Pennsylvania)

Broadcaster of the Year - Randy Gore, Washington Wild Things

Clubbie of the Year - Nate Six, Lake Erie Crushers

Executive of the Year - John Dittrich/Bill Waliewski, Joliet Slammers

Organization of the Year - Lake Erie Crushers

Umpire of the Year - Tony Maners

Voting for awards was done by general managers, coaching staffs, and local media in all 12 Frontier League markets.

The Frontier League concludes its 19th season this weekend, with Divisional Series playoff games beginning on Wednesday, September 7. More information can be found at www.frontierleague.com.

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Frontier League Stories from September 1, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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