RCBL 2021 Season Awards

Most Valuable Player - Zach Roberts, Stuarts Draft Diamondbacks

Zach Roberts was heads above the rest, leading the league in batting average at .457, and in hits with 37. At second base, he had 28 assists to lead the league, and was third in putouts with 15, helping to lead the Diamondbacks to a third place finish. Roberts hit two home runs, one for two runs and the other a grand slam, against the Elkton Blue Sox on June 18. Roberts was leadoff batter for the East in the RCBL All-Star Game. A 2019 graduate of Eastern Mennonite University, Roberts has not played in the RCBL since the 2018 season.

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Pitcher of the Year - Kirk Messick, New Market Shockers

At 35 years old, Kirk Messick has been in the RCBL for a long time. He first started playing with the Broadway Bruins 18 years ago at the age of 15. Functioning as an assistant coach, pitcher, and intern with the RCBL media staff, Messick was a key part of the Shockers’ first regular season title in 49 years. He went 5-0 on the mound, the best record in the league, and was second in ERA at 2.14. He pitched a complete game shutout with just four hits and five strikeouts at the Bridgewater Reds on July 13. Messick was also pitcher of the year back in 2006 with the Broadway Bruins.

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Rookie of the Year - Hunter Clever, Montezuma Braves

Anyone who’s seen Hunter Clever play is likely shocked at him winning this award, not because he’s not worthy, but because he plays like a veteran. A sophomore from Bridgewater College, Clever has excelled in the field, on the mound, and from the plate. He struck out 19 in 25 innings pitched during the regular season. He hit for .320 with 12 RBIs. In the field, he didn’t make a single error the whole season. He went 2-4 with two RBIs and a walkoff single against the regular season champion New Market Shockers on Tuesday, June 24. His stellar performance earned him a spot in the starting lineup of the RCBL All-Star Game.

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Coach of the Year - Les Sandridge, Stuarts Draft Diamondbacks

Les Sandridge led the Diamondbacks in a solid 2021 regular season. Stuarts Draft led the league in runs (204), hits (232), home runs (29), RBIs (177), and total bases (383). The Diamondbacks were tied for the best fielding percentage at .965. Sandridge managed to get five of his players in the RCBL All-Star Game, and one of his players (Zach Roberts) was named league MVP. After being 5-5 midway through the season, the Diamondbacks went on a 9-2 run and won their last six games to clinch the #3 spot in the playoffs.