The SPECIALS,under the guidance of Bush League Manager of the Year, Doug Sabeh, had a phenomenal inaugural season winning an incredible 14 games, but this team wasn't built to win the game as much as it was to 'experience' the game . . . and what an experience it was.   Now it's time to recognize those special players that made it happen.  Drum roll please!

     The first award is the Extra-Special Player Award and goes to the player who was not actually on the Specials, but played several games with the team and provided that something 'extra' the Specials needed during the season.  The winner of this award will be offered a contract to play with the Specials during the 2010 season for 3 games, 9 games or the entire season.  And the winner of the Extra-Special Player Award is . . . Jason Smith!  Jason traveled all the way to Pittsburgh and helped Doug win three games with the Specials and for that he deserves this award for being extra special. 

     The next award is the Rookie of the Year Award and goes to . . . Lane Smith!  Lane hit a whopping 38 doubles (2nd in the Bush League) and 10 homeruns, the most ever by a rookie!  The 'L-Train' showed no fear in winning the Swing Hard Award in the Bush League as well.  Congratulations 'Shoeless Lane' on a special rookie season.

     The Clutch Player of the Year and Golden Glove Award goes to . . . Kimball Smith!  'Special K' hit more homeruns in 2009 than all of his other seasons combined.  Four of those round-trippers came in the final game of the regular season.  He stole 9 bases and made several amazing plays in the field including the defensive play of the year, a driving stop against Papa Robin on the infield.  'Kimball Slice' isn't the future of the Bush League anymore.  He is the now!

     The Pitcher of the Year goes to . . . Craig Smith who had his best season on the mound since he won the Bush Leauge Pitcher of the Year Award in 2004. 

     The Specials Team Most Valuable Player goes to a guy who had very special season and was a leader on and off the field.  Please put your hands together for . . . Mr. Doug Sabeh, the 2009 Specials MVP!  'Ocho-Uno' combined poise, patience and preseverance to become the first player to ever hit over .900!  He will give all the credit to his teammates, but his approach to hitting this season was the key to his success.  The Sabeh-tooth Tiger's .901 average in 81 at bats in the year 2009 wasn't luck, it was destiny! 

     The final team award was the Special Feat of the Year!  This award was chosen by the players as their most special accomplishment of the season, and narrowly beat out the feats of tying the Back-to-Back-to-Back-to-Back Homerun record and winning the first Non-Nines games at Legacy Field on July Fourth against Mark, Jason and Robin.  The Special Feat of the Year is . . . Traveling over 7,000 miles and playing in 15 different cities or town along the way!  Over 3,000 miles were logged on the team bus/car.  The Specials were definitely 'playin' in a traveling band' in 2009. 

     The Specials played several games against their arch rivals The Nines this season.  So to put some faces on the team the Specials have named nine players who will make up the Mudville Nine.  So without further adieu, meet The Nines!  On the mound, flamethrower and Texas native (Alvin, Texas not far from Lake Jackson) Nolan Ryan; his battery mate behind the plate, Bush League Hall of Famer, Earl Norton; at first base (and a little out of position), 'Number 9' for whom The Natural is partially based, Ted Williams, aka 'Teddy Ballgame'; at second, none other than the 'Doc', Carlton Postle, a real-life Dr. 'Moonlight' Graham; on the hot corner, Idaho sandlotter and hall of famer affectionately known as 'Killer', Harmon Killebrew; at short, Gila Valley Legend, Jim 'Zeke' Smith; in leftfield, a man still looking for that second chance, Shoeless Joe Jackson; in center, humanitarian, hall of famer and Pittsburgh's favorite son, Roberto Clemente; and rounding out the Nine, in rightfield, the Natural, . . . Roy Hobbs!  

     We hope you enjoyed the Specials Awards and the Naming of the Nines.  The Specials will see you in Twenty-10. 

 Specials team members including ESPN's very own Kelli-Marie Smith voted on all of these awards with the exception of the Extra-Special Award which was appointed by the owner.