The Libby-Mitchell American Legion Post 76 baseball organization in Scarborough has announced the winners of its annual player awards.
Robert D. Philbrick Most Dedicated Player
Seth Dobieski of Cape Elizabeth and Ryan Mancini of Scarborough
Head Coach Glenn Reeves cited Dobieski’s great commitment to the team this summer, his willingness to share playing time with other catchers, and his time behind the plate “in one of the hottest summers on record.”
Reeves had equally high praise for Mancini, who was diagnosed with mononucleosis during this past school year at Bowdoin College and was not able to play. “He was only allowed by his doctor to DH this summer – he could not pitch nor play in the field,” two limitations, Reeves said, that “hurt the Libby-Mitchell team severely.”
Bob Philbrick is the zone commissioner in Cumberland County for American Legion baseball and has been involved for more than 60 years in legion baseball.
Michael T. Bordick Most Improved Player
Aaron Ravin of Scarborough
Reeves said Ravin “has come a long way as a player, both at the plate, and in the field.” Reeves said he has watched Ravin improve greatly the past two winters during indoor workouts. “Great team guy, a lot of help for any coach he plays for.” Reeves added.
Mike Bordick is a University of Maine graduate who played professional baseball for l7 years, most significantly as the shortstop who took over for Cal Ripken on the Baltimore Orioles after Ripken ended his consecutive games-played streak in the late l990s.
Dino Giamatti Community Service
Zach Culver of Cape Elizabeth
Team GM Dan Warren made this selection. “Zach is an impressive young man. We stay in touch regularly with players and families about changes in game schedules, make up of rainout games, etc. A lot of kids have schedule conflicts – with work or family BBQ or basketball workouts, but, with Zach it was often his being scheduled to work with troubled teens in Portland, or helping a fellow Caper train for the Beach to Beacon race in a wheelchair, or similar projects. He is a good role model for all of us.”
Dino Giamatti was a longtime Scarborough businessman who ran The Atlantic House hotel on the ocean at Kirkwood Road for two decades. The brother of the late MLB Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti, Dino has been a generous supporter of legion baseball and Scarborough youth sports for more than 25 years.
Bo McFarland Best Defensive Player
Nick Bagley of Scarborough
Reeves said: “Nick played several positions – catcher and shortstop, for two – and played them all really well.” Reeves cited one play Bagley made as catcher early in the year that stood out as one of the bright spots in the summer season. He caught a pop foul near the backstop and turned to make a great throw and nab a runner who had tagged up.
Bo McFarland was a standout infielder at Scarborough High and Bowdoin College, and played for a Libby-Mitchell-sponsored team that won the state title in l965. He is an assistant baseball and also basketball coach at Bowdoin.
Johnny Cumberland Best Pitcher
Will Leblond of Cape Elizabeth
“Will was steady for us all summer,” Reeves said. “He always gave us a good outing, threw strikes, and gave us a chance to win. We will miss him a lot at Libby-Mitchell. He has had a couple great summers.”
Johnny Cumberland also played for the Libby-Mitchell sponsored team that won the state title in l965. A lefthanded pitcher, he went on to play for the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees. He was later a pitching coach for the Red Sox.
Mike Collar ?Rookie of the Year
Sam Terry of Scarborough
“This was Sam’s first year of Senior Legion ball,” Reeves said. “He came out of nowhere, played some great outfield defense, and did some nice hitting. A great add for us.”
Mike Collar is a 2000 graduate of Scarborough High who went on to a standout career as a righthanded pitcher for the University of Maine. Collar, who played three seasons for the Houston Astros organization, joined Libby-Mitchell as a freshman and had an unexpectedly great season as a hitter and occasional pitcher.
James E. Dillon?Best Hitter
Conor McCann ?of Scarborough
“Conor was one of our steadiest guys this summer. He was consistent at the plate, and was our best hitter,” Reeves said.
Jim Dillon played for the l986 state championship Scarborough High team, then played on a Libby-Mitchell-sponsored team that made the state tourney in the mid-l980s and teamed up with South Portland players. Dillon played at University of Maine, and then three summers for the Oakland Athletics as a pitcher. He returned to Maine after pro ball, and was a standout shortstop and switch hitter in the Twilight League until age 40.
Bobby Doyle Most Valuable Player
Nick Bagley of Scarborough
“Nick played great defense, and also was a strong hitter. He was an important presence for us. As a coach, he gave me a lot of flexibility because he can play so many positions. A great athlete and competitor,” Reeves said.
Bobby Doyle is a former Greely High standout pitcher, catcher and infielder, and pitching coach at St. Joe’s in Standish. A member of the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame, Doyle passed away several years ago.
Barbara Adams Most Selfless Parent
Ken Pierce of Cape Elizabeth
Team GM Dan Warren announced the selection of Pierce, a father of two Cape Elizabeth High School baseball players whose other sports activities did not allow for their playing legion baseball the past four years. Nonetheless, Pierce was an active legion baseball supporter. “You name it, and Ken did it – raking the diamond, reserving fields, giong to the hardware store for lime to do the baselines, throwing batting practice or just being a loyal fan at games. And he did all this without having a son on the team. It is good for people to see people like Ken in action, doing all he is doing for no selfish gain at all. Refreshing,” Warren said.
Libby-Mitchell Legion Baseball Legacy Award
Rick Libby of Scarborough
Warren said the Post this year recognizes, for its annual give-back-to-the Post award, former Libby Mitchell head coach Rick Libby. “Rick still helps out at clinics and in the winter throwing sessions. He is 58 going on l6. We are lucky to have him,” Warren said. Libby also helped out at tryouts last September, and will do so again at tryouts Sept. 9 at 8:30 a.m. for the 2013 teams.
For information on the awards or on Libby Mitchell Legion baseball, contact Warren at 883-4167 or by email at jonesandwarren@gmail.com.
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