BaseballSoftballUK is excited to announce this year’s shortlisted candidates for the 2023 British Baseball and Softball Coaching Awards, presented by Net World Sports! 

A record number of strong nominations were received, and candidates have now been shortlisted in each of the eight categories. The nominations were vetted by a selection committee, comprised of members from the British Baseball Federation, British Softball Federation, BaseballSoftballUK, and the Great Britain National Teams, who determined both the shortlist and Award winners.  

The winners will be presented with their awards on the night of 28 January at the British Baseball and Softball Coaching Award Dinner as part of Coach Summit 2023. Tickets are available for both the Summit and the Award dinner by clicking here. 

Here are the shortlisted nominees:

Baseball Youth Coach of the Year

Given to an outstanding contributor to coaching young people in baseball in Great Britain in 2022.

  • Scott Bourgeois - London Youth Baseball League, London Archers and Great Britain Baseball U-15 National Team
  • Shane Lloyd - Sheffield Bruins Baseball Club
  • Sean Briscomb - Essex Redbacks Baseball Club

Softball Youth Coach of the Year

Given to an outstanding contributor to coaching young people in softball in Great Britain in 2022.

  • Jodie Rushin - Great Britain U-13 Cubs
  • Holly Ireland - RBI Wales
  • David Morris - Chichester Falcons

Baseball Adult Coach of the Year

Given to an outstanding contributor to adult baseball coaching in Great Britain in 2022.

  • Drew Spencer - Great Britain Baseball Men's Senior National Team & Great Britain U-23 National Team, Great Britain Baseball Lead Programme Manager
  • Bob Rowe - Birmingham Baseball Club
  • Eduardo Rodrigues - Essex Arrows Baseball Club

Softball Adult Coach of the Year

Given to an outstanding contributor to adult softball coaching in Great Britain in 2022.

  • Kellie Whitaker - Great Britain Slowpitch Softball
  • Ian Tomlin - Great Britain Fastpitch League Hawks & Great Britain Softball U-18 National Team
  • Jennifer Edis - Oxford Softball League & Oxford Brookes University

Young Coach of the Year

Given to an outstanding young coach under the age of 25 who has contributed to baseball or softball coaching in Great Britain in 2022.

  • Matthew Moran - Great Britain U-18 Baseball & London Legends
  • Jessica Vernon - Great Britain Baseball U-12 National Team & Belles Baseball
  • Amie Hutchison - Under-14 Great Britain Fastpitch League

Volunteer of the Year

This award is for a volunteer in a non-coaching role who has given up a substantial amount of time to support their local club, team or league and who has made a significant impact on the development of our sports.

  • Abi Battisto - Leicester Diamonds
  • Aspi Dimitrov - Herts Baseball Club
  • Alan Le Marquand - Maidenhead Softball Club, Windsor & Maidenhead Softball League, BSUK Academy, Great Britain Softball

Services to Coaching

This award is for the individual who best personifies what it means to be a baseball or softball coach over a long period of time: someone who understands their sport and can use the lessons learned on the pitch to motivate and engage others. They have probably played a great number of roles, and without their services to coaching, your club, your league or perhaps even your national team wouldn’t be the same.

  • Michael Harrold - Long Eaton Storm & Great Britain Baseball National Team
  • John Eaton - UK Blind Baseball
  • Kellie Whitaker - Great Britain Slowpitch Softball
  • Kim Comer - London Softball League

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - New for 2023

This new award will be presented for the first time at the 2023 British Baseball and Softball Coaching Awards, and recognises a contribution made by a coach towards tackling inequality and removing barriers to participants from underrepresented groups. The underrepresented groups that have been identified are Women & Girls, disabilities, socio-economic status, ethnic diversity & LGBTQ+.

  • Jay Smith - Leicester Diamonds
  • John Eaton - UK Blind Baseball
  • Kat Macann - Raiders Softball