Blue Rocks A Finalist for Minor League Baseball Award
A first-time community program led by Blue Rocks outfielder Tyler Hill has been selected as a finalist for Minor
League Baseball’s ‘Golden Bobblehead Awards.’ The announcement comes following an emotional time for the Minor League
Baseball industry, as the season was ultimately canceled in June because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
On Monday, July 27, The Wilmington Blue Rocks joined forces with Hill to host the first-ever Judy Johnson Baseball Skills Clinic at
Frawley Stadium. The clinic had been a long-time idea of Hill’s, a Wilmington native, who saw the chance to bring some good to his
community during a canceled Minor League season. “I’ve always had a vision of giving back to the community by bringing kids
together from all different backgrounds and introducing the game of baseball to a new generation.” Hill said.
The inspiration behind the clinic’s name came from Wilmington’s own Judy Johnson–the namesake of the Blue Rocks playing field.
Johnson was considered one of the best third basemen to ever play in the Negro Leagues, and his 17-year career was rightfully
recognized with his enshrinement into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY in 1975. Johnson’s contributions to the game of
baseball are permanently remembered with a statue of his likeness on the front plaza of Frawley Stadium.
Following a lengthy planning process that included Hill, the City of Wilmington, Blue Rocks General Manager Andrew Layman and
Director of Community Affairs Kevin Linton and many others, Hill’s vision was finally on track to become a reality. “The kids I wanted
to reach in this clinic are the ones who may not have the opportunity to play on travel teams to experience the showcases due to
financial hardships, family support and things like that,” said Hill.
The clinic was split into two sessions–morning and afternoon–and was attended by nearly 100 local kids. Participants came from
area organizations such as the Wilmington Little League, Roberto Clemente Little League, and the Kingswood Community Center.
The day featured basic baseball drills, skills challenges and scrimmages. Each camper received complimentary lunch and snacks
throughout the day, provided by Maryland Avenue Sub Shop, Chef Robbie Jester, The Hill Family and the City of Wilmington.
All participants were also addressed by the University of Delaware professor Ron Whittington, who discussed both the life of Judy
Johnson, and encouraging each camper to identify their true value, and to build upon their individual character and focus on their
future goals.
Prior to the clinic, Hill and the Blue Rocks made a call to the community for equipment donations. The call was answered and an
overwhelming amount of new and gently used equipment was dropped off at Frawley Stadium leading up to the event. Campers
could take from the donations based upon their individual need, and many left the clinic with gloves, bats, helmets, cleats, baseball
pants and more.
Hill led all on-field instructions with help from professional and college coaches and players. Hill was all smiles after the day had
concluded. “Everything went so smoothly from start to finish. We had full attendance from campers and great support from the
volunteers. People keep asking when next year’s clinic will be and I can’t wait to have that answer.”
“The Blue Rocks are very fortunate to have Tyler Hill living locally, and that he has a heart to make a positive impact in our area,”
said Linton. “It was incredible to see the support from our community, especially with the tremendous response for the equipment
donations. Our aim is to make this an annual event and we look forward to building this into one of the strongest community
initiatives in the future.”
The Blue Rocks have always made community their top priority and have won the Carolina League’s Matt Minker Community Service
Award five times. The Minker Award is earned by the Carolina League club that best demonstrates an outstanding, ongoing
commitment to charitable service, support, and leadership within its community. In addition, the Blue Rocks have also received five
nominations for Minor League Baseball’s John Henry Moss Award.
THESE LONELY MASCOTS MISS THE FANS
