2012 Jim Smith Sportsmanship Award Winner

Earl Babbitt III

Jim Smith was a great player and an even finer person, just like my treasured friend, Earl Babbitt, who I am nominating for the Jim Smith Sportsmanship Award.  My friendship with Earl began 7 years ago and he has been my teammate and sidekick the entire time.  Every year I managed I picked Earl for my team because I valued his admirable skills as a player, his support as a teammate and assistant, and his leadership as an exemplary representative of the league.  Never have I held anyone in a high regard as a kind, caring, cooperative and magnanimous human being.

In the past year, Earl has demonstrated a kind of strength and courage that all of us can aspire to as he bravely and steadfastly battles cancer.  He has become a champion and in inspiration off the field in the same manner he was on the field.  He battles the cancer with the same dogged determination he displayed on the ball field and with the same graceful dignity and inimitable spirit. 

I am so proud to have shared the ball field with Earl and honored beyond my capability of expressing to proclaim him as my hero and cherished friend.  It is with great gratitude, admiration and a profound sense of indebtedness that I proclaim Earl to be a most worthy recipient of this prestigious honor.

Nominated by Bob Morrison

I feel compelled to nominate an individual for the Jim Smith Award who is most deserving, Earl Babbitt. I had the honor of playing in the league with both men and the similarities of character are uncanny. Earl is an unselfish team player that never has a bad word for teammate or opponent. I remember nights when an injured player need a car ferried home or a hospital visit and Earl was the one up to the task. Never did anyone see Earl whining about one of Bruce's calls. That crazy inside out right field swing if his will long be remembered by his friends and teammates. It was my pleasure to manage his last team in the fall of last year when his illness first began. Earl exemplifies all that is good about our organization and I believe we should honor him with the Jim Smith Award.

Nominated by Marty Simmons