ESTEVAN - The diverse contributions of people to baseball in southeast Saskatchewan were recognized during the recent Baseball Sask. awards night.
Carter Beck of Carnduff was selected as the Male Player of the Year, Carter Williamson was chosen as the Lou Slotsve Junior Umpire of the Year, and Performance Pump won for the Patron (Sponsor) of the Year.
Beck played in the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League (SPBL) U18 AAA league in his second year for the Â鶹ÊÓƵeast Performance Pump Twins.
“His talents on the field have steadily improved year over year and 2022 showed just that,” stated a bio from Baseball Sask.
He led the SPBL with a .456 batting average, .835 slugging percentage and 1.404 on-base plus slugging percentage. He also was on base 59 per cent of the time he was at bat, and he struck out just four times in 109 at bats.
Beck also pitched this year as a closer, and he amassed 26 strikeouts in 13 innings pitched. He did not surrender an earned run all year.
“Numbers like these do not come up very often and as such Carter was awarded with the top hitter award and league MVP,” said Baseball Sask.
Beck was named to Team Sask for the Canada Games where he batted in every game and led the provincial team in at bats and runs batted in, and was second in hits.
“In the offseason, Carter spends his baseball time in the gym and the local southeast baseball training center improving his game, plus spending time with young catchers and hitters,” Baseball Sask. said. “Carter has a quiet and constant smiling demeanor about him which makes him approachable with young baseball players.
“With his summer team, the Â鶹ÊÓƵeast Twins, Carter is a natural leader. He is very encouraging to his teammates, which helps keep a positive mood in the group. But he will also be pointed with his teammates when the team focus is not there.
“That is one more thing that makes Carter special, he plays hard … takes every result for what it is, and stays in the moment.”
Williamson was instrumental in game coverage all summer, according to Baseball Sask. As a young official, he wants to learn the craft and quickly applies new information on the field.
“Carter helped Estevan and area cover many games at provincial tournaments that Zone 1 hosted, and earned himself a spot at the Western Canada championships in Estevan this past August.”
He is described as very composed at a young age, even in games where the pressure should have impacted his performance, but it did not. There were many compliments from coaches, parents and fans.
“One of the local sponsors of the Western Canada tournaments was so impressed by the performance of this young official at such a high-level tournament, that they donated additional gift cards to this young umpire.”
“They are a wonderful, locally-owned company who supports minor sports within the community,” stated its bio. “Estevan has been very lucky to be the recipient of their generosity throughout the years.
The business is the name sponsor for the 18U AAA Â鶹ÊÓƵeast Twins. This past season they donated four score clocks to Estevan Minor Baseball. They are also a jersey sponsor for one of the U11 teams.
They are always more than willing to help us out with any equipment maintenance needs or just to lend a hand. They have spent just as much time on the diamonds as any member of the organization.
“Estevan Minor Ball consider themselves very lucky to have a company in their community who supports them. They are honored to nominate Performance Pump Services for Patron (Sponsor) of the Year,” Baseball Sask. said.
