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A team of 11-year-olds accomplished something last summer that no other Saratoga Little League all-star squad had done since the league was founded in 1958. By winning the California Section 5 championship in July, it became the first Saratoga unit to reach the Division 2 tournament and challenge for the Northern California title.
About two months later, the San Jose Giants closed out the Lake Elsinore Storm for the California League championship, the third Cal League title in eight seasons for the local minor league team.
In recognition of their efforts, the Saratoga Little League and San Jose Giants will be among 25 individuals and organizations honored with special awards at the 22nd Santa Clara County Baseball Fundraisers Hot Stove Banquet on Jan. 30 at the San Jose Scottish Rite Center.
Among the individuals receiving special recognition will be Randy Frey, a longtime youth baseball coach from Los Gatos. For more than 30 years Frey has been involved with many youth sports organizations as a coach, board member and official. His longest service was to Los Gatos Little League, as a coach and board member from 1973 to 2000.
"I've always loved baseball and coaching kids," explained Frey, who started coaching at age 18, long before he had children of his own. "Kids can learn a lot of life lessons playing sports."
Another man that will be honored for service to the area baseball community is Jerry Fontanetti, an equipment and uniform supplier for more than 45 years. Fontanetti has been a longtime owner of semi-pro baseball teams, supporter of high school teams and sponsor of youth leagues.
Award winners will be: Major League Player of the Year--Randy Winn of the San Francisco Giants (Santa Clara University); Major League Pitcher of the Year--Scott Erickson of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Homestead/San Jose City College); Minor League Player of the Year--Kevin Frandsen of the Giants' organization (Bellarmine/San José State University); Minor League Pitcher of the Year--Chris Key of the Seattle Mariners' organization (San José State); College Co-Players of the Year--Anthony Contreras (Piedmont Hills/San José State) and Adam Carr (San Lorenzo Valley/Oklahoma State University); Community College Player of the Year--Darrell Sales (West Valley College); Community College Pitcher of the Year--Kyle Woodruff (Leland/College of San Mateo); High School Player of the Year--Jason Codiroli (Mitty); High School Pitcher of the Year--Carlos Hernandez (Santa Clara); Scout of the Year--Gary Hughes (Chicago Cubs); Special Service Award--Jerry Fontanetti; Community Service Award--Randy Frey; Ted Barrett Amateur Umpire Award--Ted Kovach; Loyd Christopher Award--Chris Minaker (Stanford), Nick Epidendio (Mitty/San José State) and Michael Lange (Santa Clara University); Frank Bettencourt Award--Stan Akerson (Leland); Outstanding Amateur Organization Awards--Palo Alto Oaks, Saratoga Little League and Santa Clara Red Sox; Outstanding Professional Organization Award--San Jose Giants; Sports Media Person of the Year--Dick Sparrer; and Special Honor Awards--Bill King and Larry Mullins.
The Hot Stove Banquet begins with no-host cocktails at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:45 p.m. and the awards presentation and raffle at 7:30 p.m. Ted Robinson is the master of ceremonies with special guest Bob Melvin, manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Tickets are $35 per person and $350 for a table of 10 ($300 per table of 10 for youth, high school, community college and college baseball groups).
Proceeds from the event benefit area baseball teams and players. The San Jose Scottish Rite Center is located at 2455 Masonic, off Curtner and Canoas Garden Drive in San Jose. For reservations, call 408.446.3443.
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