Lynchburg's Keel Earns Minker Award for Community Service Work

September 4, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Lynchburg Hillcats News Release

Lynchburg Hillcats outfielder Jared Keel has been named the recipient of the 2009 Matt Minker Community Service Award as announced by the Carolina League office on Friday.

Keel led the Hillcats in community service hours for the second straight season. He devoted 59 hours to a variety of community organizations and events, including hospitals, retirement homes, Scout camps and Little League clinics. He also worked with disadvantaged youth and served as an instructor at the Hillcats Summer Baseball Camp. Keel devoted 64 hours to community service in 2008.

The Pirates selected Keel, a Panama City, Fla. native, in the 31st round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft. The former Troy (Ala.) University star is 25.

Pittsburgh will also recognize Keel for his service work with an award for leading the Hillcats in community service hours. This year marks the second straight season that Keel has won the community service award from the Pirates. Keel traveled to Pittsburgh's PNC Park with Hillcats Assistant General Manger Ronnie Roberts and Director of Information of Technology Andrew Chesser to receive the award from the Pirates in September 2008.

The Minker award is named after the late Wilmington Blue Rocks team president. It was established in 2008 and is awarded annually to the league player who does the best job of serving his club's community during each season. Keel was chosen after each Carolina League team nominated one player for the award. Former Blue Rocks pitcher Everett Teaford won the inaugural Minker award in 2008. Minker died in November 2007 following a five-year battle with cancer. He was 60.

Carolina League Stories from September 4, 2009

• Weiland silences Cats bats in 3-2 victory - Lynchburg Hillcats
• Winston-Salem plates nine after sixth inning en route win - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
• Dramatic Rally Keeps Dash in First Place - Winston-Salem Dash
• Nats Trounce Tribe 8-1 in Opener - Potomac Nationals
• K-Tribe Falls at Potomac, Now A Game Out of Final Playoff Spot - Kinston Indians
• Salem Squeaks Past Lynchburg 3-2 - Salem Red Sox
• Keys Can't Hold Off Celebration - Frederick Keys
• Cody Johnson Named Carolina League Post-Season All-Star - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
• Lychburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
• Lynchburg's Keel Earns Minker Award for Community Service Work - Lynchburg Hillcats
• K-Tribe Game Notes for Friday - Kinston Indians

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