The Kings County Baseball league held its annual awards banquet on Tuesday evening at Phinley’s in Stratford and Northside Brewers finest was honor with League MVP.

Jason MacLean edged out sophomore catcher Marshall Ellis of Stratford Pharmacy to win Northside’s first ever league MVP.

MacLean has been the Brewers ace and batting leader for almost every year since he join the team.

MacLean also won the Harry Hughes Memorial as top pitcher. In another close race, MacLean edged out Pharmacy rookie Josh Kirkpatrick. MacLean also won for most home runs.

Northside’s Taylor Larkin made it the major award hat trick for the Brewers, winning rookie of the year honors. Josh Kirkpatrick was again a close second.

The final major trophy, the Lionel King memorial for hard work and dedication, was won by Sherwood Dodger shortstop Mike Roberts. It was again close in the voting with Pharmacy shortstop Shawn MacDougall a close second.

The four second place Pharmacy players did not go home empty handed as all four won trophies. Kirkpatrick received trophies for most pitching wins and pitching percentage. Marshall Ellis got an award for most triples tying Brewers Garrett VanDiepen with four. Shawn MacDougall got the doubles trophy-- his eight doubles tied him with Morell Chevies second baseman Derrick Plaggenhoef.

Other Stratford award winners were Jacob Smith who won for most runs scored and walks.

Two other Morell Chevies were dual winners. Desi Doyle won for batting and most RBI’s. Scott Ellsworth won for most base hits and on base percentage. Grant Doyle won for most strike outs.

One more award winner was Sherwood Dodgers speedy centerfielder Will Jadis who set a KCBL record for stolen bases with 30. Jadis also had 30 hits making him the first KCBL player in the 30/30 club.

Guest speaker of the evening was Louis Murphy. Murphy was a stand out pitcher back in the early KCBL years in the 1960’s.

The KCBL play-offs are all well underway and four teams will be looking for the sweep on Wednesday. Stratford are up 2-0 on the Cornwall Mud Hens after Cornwall could not field a team on Sunday. Sherwood Dodgers lost a close 3-2 decision to Peakes and could be eliminated on Wednesday. Morell Chevies took a 2-0 lead with a 8-1 win over Charlottetown Cannons. The Cannons kept it close until the Chevies broke open a 2-1 with a big six inning rally. In the KCBL’s version of the Mud Bowl on Sunday, the Brewers prevail 6-4 in the rain soaked affair to lead that series 2-0. Hats off to both these clubs for enduring the elements to get this game in.

Good bye to one of the finest... The Kings County Baseball League lost a good umpire and a great person with the passing of Ray MacInnis last week. MacInnis was president of the umpire association before he took ill. Ray MacInnis was a fine spokesperson for the umpires and attended many KCBL meetings stating his causes on behalf of the umpires. I enjoyed his presence at the meetings and he always spoke to make the game better for players and fans alike. Rest in peace Ray.

Thank for all the hard work you have done to make this league a success.