Player Award Sponsors

Congratulations to the award winners from The Greater Charlotte Hot Stove League Dinner. 

Thanks to everyone that supported this outstanding evening.

FINALISTS NAMED FOR 2ND ANNUAL GREATER CHARLOTTE HOT STOVE LEAGUE DINNER AWARDS

The finalists for the seven awards to be presented at the Greater Charlotte Hot Stove League Award Dinner on Saturday January 24th were announced.   Each finalist will be recognized for their outstanding accomplishments on and off the field.  Last year’s winners included a who’s who list of area baseball and softball players, including; Constance Orr, Richie Shaffer, Erin Kayton and Chase Arnold.  This season three new awards have been added to the evening.

Hot Stove League President Tripp Roakes is very proud of all the nominees and looks forward to honoring the finalists on the 24th of January. (complete story)

GREATER CHARLOTTE HOT STOVE LEAGUE TO HONOR THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF CHARLOTTE BASEBALL

…Former Major League All Star Bryan Harvey, Astros Third Baseman Ty Wigginton and and top Boston Red Sox  prospect David Mailman among those set to be honored at the 2nd Annual Dinner

The baseball term “hot stove” is affiliated with the time of year when those associated with America’s past time, whether it is players, managers, front office personnel and fans, discuss the summer game during the winter months.  Even before the Boston Red Sox traded Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees in 1920, folks sat around the hot stove to debate and discuss the significance of their team’s transactions.

Even though air conditioning and furnaces have replaced the iron stove as sources of heat, the term hot stove is still quite common in baseball vernacular.  A place it is used frequently is to reference baseball banquets that take place during the off-season.  The banquets are held to celebrate the game of baseball and to reward those in the game that contribute to its success.

On January 24, 2009 the 2ND  Annual Greater Charlotte Area Hot Stove League Dinner, hosted by Carolinas Baseball Center and The South Charlotte Sports Report will be held at the 25,000 square foot Carolinas Baseball Center.  This first class evening of entertainment will celebrate the growth of youth baseball and softball in the Greater Charlotte Community.  Headlining the special night will be a keynote speech by former Major League All-Star relief pitcher and UNCC baseball alumnus Bryan Harvey. 
The Bandys High School graduate played from 1987 to 1995 for the California Angels and the Florida Marlins. He was elected to the All-Star team for the American League in 1991 and for the National League in 1993. He led the American League in saves in 1991 with 46. Harvey was named Rookie Pitcher of the Year by The Sporting News.

Houston Astros Third Baseman Ty Wigginton, a former UNC-Asheville star will also appear at the Hot Stove Dinner.  Wigginton slammed an amazing 23 home runs in just 386 at bats this season

Providence High School Class of 2007 graduate David Mailman will also be honored.  Mailman was a 7th round draft pick of the Boston Red Sox and has what many scouts have described as a “picture perfect swing.”  He has become one of the Red Sox top-rated prospects and is expected to one day take to the field at Fenway Park.

In addition to the speech by Harvey, guests will be treated to a social hour and autograph session with 10-20 current or former major and minor league baseball players from the Charlotte area, a sit down dinner, vendor displays and one of the largest  silent auction of sports memorabilia in the area.   The evening will also include the presentation of awards to the top youth baseball and softball players in the area.  Last year’s winners included; Richie Shaffer (Providence), Constance Orr (Butler, UNC-Chapel Hill),  Chase Arnold (Holy Trinity Catholic) and Erin Kayton (Marvin Ridge.)

We are very proud to announce our charity partner for the 2009 Greater Charlotte Area Hot Stove League Dinner. The Miracle League of Charlotte. The Miracle League of Charlotte, a chapter of The Miracle League, will provide physically and mentally challenged children a safe and spirited program in which they can hit, run, and catch on a baseball field – just like other kids.  It will offer a unique and memorable opportunity these children would not otherwise have.

The 2008 inaugural event was a sellout and a second straight sellout is expected. A limited number of individual tickets and corporate tables for the dinner are available now. Once those tickets are gone, no additional tickets or tables will be made available. Individual tickets are available for $95 per person and $75 for baseball and softball players under 18.  Corporate tables are also available for $950.  Each corporate table will include eight seats and the guests of the table will be joined by a current or former major or minor league baseball player.

Three levels of event sponsorship are also available for this unique event dedicated to the growth of youth baseball and softball in the area.  Grand Slam, Perfect Game and Home Run Packages are open for sponsorship. Each package includes many unique benefits for corporations interested in marketing to the baseball and softball communities in the greater Charlotte area.

Nomination forms are now available online at www.hotstovedinner.com for the top area high school and youth baseball and softball players of the year awards.  In 2009 a special award will be added for Team of the Year. Nominations will be accepted until December 31, 2008.

For more information on the 2nd Annual Greater Charlotte Area Hot Stove League Dinner, please call Tripp Roakes @ 704-906-5466.

This special evening of baseball and softball will benefit
The Miracle League

Click on the image above for a video about The Miracle League

The Miracle League of Charlotte will provide physically and mentally challenged children a safe and spirited program in which they can hit, run, and catch on a baseball field – just like other kids.  It will offer a unique and memorable opportunity these children would not otherwise have.

The Miracle League of Charlotte will be a place where every player plays, every player hits, every player gets on base, every player scores, and every player wins – every inning. Players who need help with hitting, catching, and throwing the ball are paired with a "buddy" who helps out.  We believe every child should have the best opportunity possible to play baseball and The Miracle League of Charlotte will provide this with our support.

Click here for a Carolina traveler Feature on The Miracle League

HELP US CREATE A MIRACLE

DONATE TO THE MIRACLE LEAGUE OF CHARLOTTE

Photos from the 2008 Hot Stove Dinner