TicketsApril 13, 2010
WICHITA, Kan. - The Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission announced today that nine catchers have been added to the official watch list for the 2010 Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award delivered by Papa John's Pizza, including University of Cincinnati senior catcher Jimmy Jacquot.
The other eight catchers added to the watch list were Jett Bandy (University of Arizona), Cole Leonida (Georgia Tech), Ryan Lipkin (University of San Francisco), Aaron Munoz (Northwestern State University), Derek Trent (East Tennessee State University), Adam Weisenburger (Miami University), Zane Williams (UNC Charlotte) and Zach Wright (East Carolina University).
Through 29 games, Jacquot is batting .294 with a team-leading five home runs and a team-best 24 RBI. The Swansea, Ill., native has also been an asset behind the plate throwing out 18 attempted base stealers in 39 attempts, which ranks amongst BIG EAST leaders.
The Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award is an annual award that honors those athletes that serve as a team's starting catcher in at least 75% of the games. Nominees that end up playing primarily another position, such as designated hitter, or those that split their time with another catcher in a 50/50 situation will be disqualified from semifinalist selection.
The watch list will be narrowed down to the semifinalists, whom will be announced May 19, 2010. Ballots will be sent to the national voting panel at the end of May for a vote to determine the three finalists. The finalists will be announced June 2, 2010 prior to the NCAA Regionals and Major League Baseball Draft. A final vote among the national committee will occur during the College World Series. All finalists will be brought to Wichita and the winner will be announced at the 13th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on July 1, 2010.
Johnny Bench was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1968 and was a two-time National League Most Valuable Player in 1970 and 1972. The 14-time All-Star was a 10-time Gold Glove Winner and a World Series Most Valuable Player in 1976. In 1980, he set an endurance record by catching 100+ games for 13 consecutive seasons. Bench was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in January 1989 with the fourth highest percentage of total votes cast.
Jacquot and the Bearcats enter the week with a 15-14 overall record and will play five games this week, including two at the 2010 Joe Nuxhall Classic on April 13-14. The Joe Nuxhall Classic will be played at McKie Field at Hayden Park on the campus of Miami University and Cincinnati will play the opener of the four-game event at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, against Wright State University.