The Summer 2024 Maui Adult Baseball League end-of-season award winners are given below. Award winners were selected by player votes submitted online.
The Warriors’ John Lamb earned MVP honors after going 4-2 with a 2.95 ERA, leading the league in innings pitched (61.0) and strikeouts (85, the 3rd highest single-season total in league history) in the process. At the plate, Lamb put up a .324/.419/.541 AVG/OBP/SLG slash line while smashing 6 doubles to help his team advance to their first MABL Championship Series appearance since 2015. Ryan Swindle finished second in MVP voting.
Ian Josh, of the Kihei Centipedes, continued his dominance on the mound, becoming the second player in league history to win three consecutive MABL Cy Young awards after earning the honors for his Summer 2024 performance. Josh went 2-0 with a 0.61 ERA (the 4th best single-season mark) over 44.0 innings for the ‘Pedes. He held opponents to a .126 batting average and a 0.57 WHIP (3rd best single-season mark) while striking out 42 over that span. John Lamb finished as the runner-up in Cy Young award voting.
The Brewers’ Lance Simpson was named MABL Rookie of the Year and earned the Batting Title after a phenomenal season that was cut short by a freak injury. Simpson fell just short of tying the MABL record for multi-hit games by picking up multiple hits in his first 7 games in the league. He finished the season with a .500 average (17 for 34), also leading the league in RBIs (10) and Slugging Percentage (.735) and OPS (1.263). On the mound, Simpson held opponents scoreless over 13.0 innings, allowing only 3 hits and striking out 20 batters over that span. Runner up in ROY voting, Aaron Wise put together a tremendous season as well, finishing one hit shy of Simpson’s .500 mark in the race for the Batting Title.
Kacey and Ryan Swindle received the Manager of the Year award for the 5th time. After leading the Centipedes to a 10-2 record in the regular season, they won their 3rd MABL Championship in the last four seasons after defeating the Warriors.
Chad Blackwell of the Centipedes was awarded his fourth straight Gold Glove award for his slick glove work at shortstop for the ‘Pedes this season. West Maui Brewers’ third baseman Josh Meier finished second in Gold Glove voting.
The Gorillas’ Jacob Chong earned Most Improved Player honors after a season in which he received Cy Young award votes for his performance on the mound. Chong posted a 3.19 ERA and struck out 41 batters over 31.0 innings. His 1.31 FIP was best in the league among qualifying pitchers.
John Schnettgoecke of the Pirates was recognized by members of the league as this season’s Ken Talbot award recipient. Honoring the memory of one of the league’s past players, this award is given to the member of the MABL who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, community involvement, and positive contributions towards others, on and off the field. When nominated, it was noted that Schnettgoecke represents the epitome of sportsmanship in the MABL.
Congratulations to all award winners and nominees on tremendous seasons, and mahalo to everyone who voted as part of the recognition process! Check out the awards page to view past end-of-season award winners.