The York County Junior Girls Softball League's two "Recognition of Merit" Awards are perpetual plaques that are given each year to a youth and an adult within the league who are deserving of recognition for outstanding sportsmanship, special achievements, and/or dedication to the York County Junior Girls Softball League.

The original plaque, known as the "House of Representatives" Achievement Award, was a 10-year perpetual plaque that was first recognized by the league in 1992. Following the 2002 season, the league continued the award with a new 10-year perpetual plaque and changed the name of the award to the York County Junior Girls Softball League "Recognition of Merit" Award. Following the 2003 season, the plaque was renamed again to include the name of Aletha Groff, in honor of the founder of the league prior to our league's 30th anniversary season. A special award was also presented to Aletha Groff. In 2005, the league's board of directors approved a second "Merit" Award honoring Dave Trump for his dedication to the league in many capacities, including coaching, umpiring, league officer, and webmaster. The "Aletha Groff" Award is now to be presented annually to a youth within the league, while the "Dave Trump" Award is now presented annually to an adult.

Anyone may nominate an individual for the Merit Awards during or following each summer season. The league's board of directors (club representatives) vote for the recipients of the awards. Nominations for the 2009 YCJGSL "Recognition of Merit" Awards will be accepted by and read at the August 19, 2009 league board of directors meeting. If you know of anyone involved with the YCJGSL during the 2009 season who should be considered as a nominee for the league's annual "Merit" awards, please contact your club representative or the league President. Contact information for league reps and officers is posted on the "Contact Info" page found in the Main Menu of this web site. Presentation of the 2009 Merit Awards will take place at the September 16, 2009 league meeting.

 

Bea Ayoub, Manchester Twp 12U, was awarded the 2008 YCJGSL Aletha Groff "Recognition of Merit" Award. Bea has played softball for Manchester Twp for the past four years - playing on both Minor and Major teams. She has consistantly shown to her teammates, her opponents, and her coaches, how important good sportsmanship conduct is, both on and off the field. Unfortunately, Bea broke her clavicle and could not play in the last few games of the summer season and the playoffs.  But she attended the games and cheered her teammates on. There was never a practice or a game that Bea did not give 150%.

 

Other players receiving nominations for the 2008 "Merit" award were...

Sarah Gohn, Manchester Twp 18U

Paige Knapp, Manchester Twp 14U

 

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Ted Thompson, Manchester Twp coach and league representative, was awarded the 2008 YCJGSL Dave Trump "Recognition of Merit" Award. Ted's dedication and commitment to the kids and girls softball is appreciated by those who know him. He has made significant contributions to the past, present and future of the youth in the Manchester Township community.

Ted is a great leader. He leads by example, not asking anyone to do anything he won’t do or hasn’t done himself. For those who know him, it is comforting that he is always "peaceful" when asked how he is doing. It wasn't too long ago when MTAA had a very small girl’s softball program. This year (2008) MTAA has 161 players and 13 teams, which is currently the largest organization in the YCJGSL.

The MTAA softball program as an organization has grown to include a Commissioner and Township Representative (Ted), Assistant Commissioner, Major General Manager, Minor General Manager, Umpire Coordinator, Player Representative, Equipment Coordinator and 47 dedicated Coaches and Parent Volunteers. Many of these roles and the people filling them are there because of Ted. His vision for the growth of the MTAA softball program and the development of the girls has been well supported and therefore a tremendous success. What may be Ted’s most significant accomplishment is his ability to get enough people involved in the volunteer effort to assure the softball program’s continued success beyond his tenure as Commissioner.

In an effort to develop the skills of the girls at MTAA and enhance their softball experience, Ted has solicited the assistance of expertise outside of our organization to conduct pitching, catching and general skills enhancement clinics. These clinics have been well attended and very beneficial. To provide a better and more consistent experience for the girls and their families, Ted created an MTAA internal umpire program so parents would not be needed to umpire their daughters’ games when league umpires are not provided. To appeal to players at all skill and interest levels, Ted implemented a tournament team program that is really beginning to grow. As Commissioner, he has had three playoff teams and one team that won a championship, the first time in MTAA history. Ted is also responsible for major improvements to the girls’ uniforms since taking over the program and is involved in the Softball Olympics. Not only can you find Ted at clinics and games, he also coaches, umpires and can be seen doing field maintenance.

As a side note, if there was an award for supporting role, Ted’s wife, who has sacrificed the tremendous amount of time Ted has put into the organization, should also be nominated. Finally, the girls, the families and the staff of MTAA all love "Mr. T". In order to get a greater appreciation of what Ted means to MTAA, a signed petition was attached to the letter of nomination with nearly 300 signatures requesting that Ted Thompson be voted to receive the YCJGSL "Recognition of Merit" award for 2008.

Others receiving nominations for the 2008 "Merit" award include...

Karen Clever, Windsor coach and league rep

Mark Jones, Pleasureville/North Hills coach

Randy Shumaker, Dover coach

 

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Tiffany Stambaugh, West Manchester Twp 14U, was awarded the 2007 YCJGSL Aletha Groff "Recognition of Merit" Award. Through the year, she played consistantly at shortstop, batted extremely well and was a leader in coolness, calm attitude and was also an encourgagement to others on the team. At the playoffs, Tiffany was voted MVP of the first game and the Championship game. At the presentation of the MVP after the championship game, she asked Merc if they could give it to someone else as she "already won it once and didn't feel right taking it again since we played hard in this game". Both teams gave her an ovation for that act of sportsmanship. Tiff started the game with West Manchester Twp in 10U many years ago and they have constantly tried to instill in their players the ideas of "we are a team" and "good sportsmanship"! Tiff has become an outstanding team leader and it shows both on and off the field.

 

Other players receiving nominations for the 2007 "Merit" award were...

Alexis Tollinger, Windsor 18U

Katelyn Amspacher, EYARC 16U

Danielle Lucabaugh, JLS 12U

Anna Orso, Manchester Twp 12U

 

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Brent Markel, Spring Garden Twp coach and league representative, was awarded the 2007 YCJGSL Dave Trump "Recognition of Merit" Award. Brent goes above and beyond what he should do as a coach.  He has always been there to help the Spring Garden Twp recreation director with every detail of the softball league.  Even though they have a small group of girls that participate in their softball program, Brent is always looking for new ways to get more kids into their program.  All the girls and parents love Brent and always have something good to say about him. Brent is an extremely dedicated coach and volunteer.  He is always running car washes with the girls so they get all the equipment they need for this league.  He is a great role model and is very deserving of this award.  He has been with Spring Garden Township for a long time and even during the times when it was very stressful trying to fill a team of girls he never gave up.  He has always stuck by the Spring Garden Township no matter what!

 

Charlie Daczka, Zion View coach and league representative, was also nominated for the 2007 "Merit" award.

 

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Kenzi Bupp, SYC 14U, was awarded the 2006 YCJGSL Aletha Groff "Recognition of Merit" Award. Kenzi accepted the award from Dave Trump, the league president.  Kenzi was a pitcher for Al Wagner's SYC 14U team in 2006.  Kenzi was the most valuable player on the team.  They only had 10 girls tryout this year and only 7 of them had played in the league before, only Kenzi with pitching experience.  As they went through spring practices it became evident that she was probably going to be the only pitcher, period.  They tried to get some other girls some time on the mound, but found they couldn’t cut it at this level.  That being said, their only choice was to give the ball to Kenzi. What they got from her was more than they could have expected.  With the 14U Majors being such a competitive division this year, she was usually facing the other teams #1 pitcher and she was always up to the task.  She pitched 87% of the innings and she pitched in every game. She was the reason that SYC finished the season only one game out of the playoffs.  She didn’t get the defensive help she deserved, as about half of her runs were unearned.  But never once did she get upset at her teammates or showed her frustration about the lack of support. She pitched a no-hitter and a one-hitter this year.  She also ended up being the second most productive hitter on the team, including a 2-out bases loaded triple to send a game to extra innings. It’s tough to concentrate on your hitting when you are pitching, but Kenzi was always up to the task.  Her grandmother even told Coach Al that she once said, “I need to go practice because I don’t want to let Coach Al down”.  Coach Al was glad to have been blessed with players like Kenzi over the years.

 

Sarah Peters, Windsor 16U, was also nominated for the 2006 "Merit" award.

 

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Phil Rohrbaugh, former SYC league representative, was awarded the 2006 YCJGSL Dave Trump "Recognition of Merit" Award. Phil accepted the award from Dave Trump, the league President.  Phil has been involved with YCJGSL for quite a few years, as a coach, tournament organizer, area rep, and now an umpire.  Phil has been very instrumental in the growth of this league and of the SYC program he represented. He was always looking for the league to move into the future, for the good of the girls, whether it was rule amendments, tournaments, clinics, etc.  He was also one of the people who pushed for the creation of the Dave Trump Award last year.  He was nominated a few years ago for the Aletha Groff award, when it was the only award available and declined the nomination so as to give the opportunity to a young lady to be voted for it.  Phil has been a great mentor to many while in the league. When Phil saw a void, he usually filled it and even when there was a shortage of umpires, he stepped up to the plate and became an ASA umpire.  Phil was and still is involved with this league well after his daughters had moved on and weren’t playing anymore.

 

 

Danna Lehneis, SYC 12U, was awarded the 2005 YCJGSL Aletha Groff "Recognition of Merit" Award. Danna accepted the award from Dave Trump, the league president. Danna plays flawlessly at the second base position and has earned the nickname of "Hoover". She is a genuine team player, often offering to volunteer to play a defensive position that she normally does not field. She is a very proficient base runner, often successfully taking extra bases without being told. She always seems to know exactly what to do in any game situation without needing constant attention or direction from her coaches. Danna was voted player of the game by the #1 seeded Dillsburg team in the 2005 YCJGSL 12U Major Division 1st round playoff game. Her coach is truly blessed and thankful to have a team leader like Danna on his team.

  

  

Dave Nusbaum, Windsor coach and league representative, was awarded the 2005 YCJGSL Dave Trump "Recognition of Merit" Award. Dave accepted the award from Dave Trump, the league President. Dave Nusbaum has contributed to the Windsor Area Recreation Commission's softball program in many ways. He has made a tremendous positive impact on the Windsor softball program. His committment to the girls he has worked with over the years has been above the call of duty. Not only does he coach is own travel, rec, and fall ball teams, Dave is always helping other coaches in the Windsor program improve themselves and their teams.

 

  
The York County Junior Girls Softball League's Board of Directors presented Dave Trump with a plaque at the August, 2005 league meeting in recognition of his many years of selfless service to the league. The plaque was presented to Dave by the league's Vice-president, Don Mercadante. A new 12-year perpetual plaque honoring Dave was also presented on behalf of the league for annual presentation of the Dave Trump "Recognition of Merit" Award.
 

  

Holly Preston, Hellam coach, was voted the 2003 recipient of the York County Junior Girls Softball League Aletha Groff "Recognition of Merit" Award by the league's board of directors. Holly provided much support and commitment as a dedicated coach in helping the Hellam softball program return to the league in 2003. Holly was presented with the award from the league president at the October 15th league meeting.

Other individuals receiving nominations for the 2003 "Merit" award were...

Jeff Deardorff, York Twp.

Rick Plowman, York Twp.

 

Declining nominations for the award were...

Phil Rohrbaugh, SYC

  

Congratulations to Alexys Bryan, a 10&Under Major softball player from Southern York County, for being voted the 2002 recipient of the York County Junior Girls Softball League "Recognition of Merit" Award by the league's board of directors. Alexys was presented with the award from the league president, Dave Trump. Despite a broken wrist injury that sidelined Alexys for most of the 2002 season, she continued to support her team and was a true inspiration to her team mates and the entire SYC organization.
 

There were no other nominations for the 2002 "Merit" award.

  
John Cribben, the previous president of the York County Junior Girls Softball League, was voted the 2001 recipient of the "House of Representatives" Achievement Award by the league's board of directors. John was presented with the award from the current league president, Dave Trump. Prior to serving the past three years as the president of the league, John was a coach and the league's representative for York Township. John also coordinated the league's fast pitch softball pitching clinic for each of the past five years. John also served two years as the ACE Coaching Certification instructor for ASA's District 5 area.