River Cats Announce 2003 Puglia Award Winners

August 4, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Sacramento River Cats today announced the winners of the fourth-annual Robert K. Puglia Award, presented to the high school baseball and softball players (Division I, Division II & Division III) in the Sacramento region that best exemplify the characteristics of a winner.

The awards were presented tonight during a pregame ceremony at Raley Field. This year's recipients in softball were Christina Guerland (Bear River, DIII), Krystina Gomez (El Camino, DII), Lisa Bautista (Elk Grove, DI) and Jaci Ecker (Sheldon, DI). The winners in baseball were Alex Martinez (Rio Linda, DIII), Josh Zonneveld (River City, DIII), Bill Rhinehart (Casa Roble, DII) and David Hernandez (Elk Grove, DI). All of tonight's winners were recognized for their efforts, and a donation will be made to their high schools' athletic departments in their names from the River Cats.

"All of this year's Robert K. Puglia Award recipients should be very proud," River Cats CEO Art Savage said. "All eight athletes are at the top of their respective sports, and we are proud to recognize each of them."

A board of qualified individuals chose the winners based on their play, leadership, sportsmanship and academic efforts.

The selection committee for this year's Puglia Award was comprised of the following individuals from the Sacramento community: Joe Davidson (Sacramento Bee), Pat Gomez (former major leaguer), Cuno Barragan (former major leaguer), Len Frizzi (Sac-Joaquin CIF), John Baker (father of Dusty Baker), Gene Frechette (Dusty Baker School of Baseball), Jim Pagliaroni (former major leaguer), Bob Oliver (former major league player and coach), Harry Dunlop (major league scout) and Tony Asaro (Sacramento River Cats).

Puglia, the award's namesake, was the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal (Third Appellate District) in Sacramento from Nov. 27, 1974, until Nov. 20, 1998. He was appointed to the Superior Court in August 1971 by former Governor Ronald Reagan, and was named an Associate Justice in June 1974.

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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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