WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Anthony (AJ) Brotz was recognized earlier this week as the NECBL’s Sportsman of the Year, which marks the second consecutive season in which an Upper Valley Nighthawks ballplayer has been awarded that title.
“It means a lot,” said Brotz during a Wednesday phone interview. “Being recognized is pretty cool…showing up to the ballpark every day can be tough, and working hard and being recognized like that is very cool for me.”
Brotz, a native of Bath, N.Y., who played second base for the Nighthawks, won the award given to an NECBL player “who best represents sportsmanship, hard work, and community engagement,” Nighthawks president and founder Noah Crane said.
Crane shared an anecdote about Brotz depicting his worthiness of the award. Crane explained that following the NECBL All-Star game, which the Nighthawks hosted, and the new sportsman of the year was a reserve in, Brotz had asked him for a trash bag in an attempt to clean an unkempt dugout.
“He’s the teammate/player that every coach wants,” wrote Crane in a text message. “Just a remarkable young man.”
Teams in the league nominated a player they felt was worthy of the sportsman of the year moniker, and they were voted on by 13 managers, as well as some general managers and umpires, per an NECBL release announcing the award. Team personnel were unable to vote for their own players.
“Good karma — I believe in it — and I feel like it’s going to help me down the road,” Brotz said.
