Baseball and softball keep more numbers than any other youth sport, which makes awards both easier and riskier. Easier, because the scorebook already says who led the team in hits. Riskier, because a number on an award invites an argument about a scoring decision from June.
This list uses the numbers where they help and looks past them where they do not. It is arranged in the order a scorer numbers the field, pitcher first, then covers hitting, baserunning, the dugout and the youngest divisions, where every player goes home with the same award.
Pitching
- Ace Award: the pitcher the team wanted on the mound in the biggest game.
- Strikeout Award: the most strikeouts on the staff.
- Strike Thrower Award: the fewest walks per inning, for the pitcher who trusted the defense.
- Workhorse Award: took the ball every time it was their turn, always within the pitch limits.
- Fireman Award: came in with runners on base and got out of it.
- Circle Award: the softball version of the ace, for the pitcher who owned the circle.
Catching and fielding
- Iron Mask Award: the catcher who caught every inning and never let a ball get by.
- Pickoff Award: threw out the most runners trying to steal.
- Golden Leather Award: the best glove on the team, in place of a professional award name.
- Hot Corner Award: the third baseman who stopped everything hit hard.
- Double Play Award: the middle infield pair who turned the most, given to both.
- Scoop Award: the first baseman who saved every low throw.
- Cannon Award: the outfield arm runners stopped testing.
- Diving Catch Award: for the catch the whole dugout still talks about.
Hitting
- Batting Title: the highest average with enough plate appearances to count.
- Slugger Award: the most extra-base hits.
- Clutch Hitter Award: the most runs batted in, or the hit that won the big game.
- On-Base Award: got on by any means, hits, walks and hit by pitch included.
- Tough Out Award: the fewest strikeouts, for the hitter who made every pitcher work.
- Small Ball Award: the best bunter, for sacrifices and bunts for hits.
- Slap Hitter Award: in fastpitch, the left-side slapper who turned infield ground balls into hits.
Baserunning and the dugout
- Wheels Award: the most stolen bases.
- First to Third Award: took the extra base every time it was there.
- Dugout Captain: kept the bench in the game when the team was behind.
- Bullpen Catcher Award: warmed up every pitcher without being asked.
- Next Pitch Award: moved on from a bad inning faster than anyone.
- Most Improved: the biggest change from tryouts to the final out.
T-ball and the youngest divisions
In t-ball and coach pitch, nobody keeps standings, every player bats every inning, and every player gets the same award. That is the right call, and it is the award these players remember most, so make it look like a real one: the team name, the child’s name and the season.
If a coach wants to say something individual, give each child a one-line reason at the presentation instead of a separate award:
- Best Hustle to First: ran through the bag every time.
- Ready Position Award: always in an athletic stance in the field.
- Big Swing Award: hit the tee ball the farthest.
- Helmet Hero: never forgot the helmet.
See little league and t-ball trophies for every-player sets, and participation awards for keeping earned awards meaningful in older divisions.
Fun dugout awards
Dugout culture gives baseball and softball some of the best fun awards. Keep them to habits, not errors.
- Sunflower Seed Award: left the biggest pile on the dugout floor.
- Rally Cap Award: first to turn the cap inside out.
- Chant Leader: for the softball player who started every dugout cheer.
- Rain Delay Award: kept the team entertained under the overhang.
- Walk-Up Song Award: had the best song in the league.
- Eye Black Artist: the most committed eye black of the season.
More are in funny award ideas.
How many to give
| Kind of team | Earned awards | Everyone receives |
|---|---|---|
| T-ball and coach pitch | None | The same award for every player |
| Youth league | Three or four: pitching, hitting, fielding, effort | A team piece |
| Travel ball | Pitching, hitting, fielding, MVP, most improved | Optional |
| High school | The travel set, plus captains, seniors and academic | Senior recognition |
| Adult softball | MVP and one or two fun awards | A league champion award |
For the general list, see sports award categories. Adult and tournament softball is covered on softball trophies.
Presenting them
Present in scorebook order around the diamond: pitcher, catcher, first, second, third, shortstop, then the outfield, then hitting and baserunning, then MVP. The room can follow it, and it gives each position its moment.
If you use a statistic, use one and say it out loud rather than putting it on the piece. Then tell one story from the season. Thank the coach after the MVP, and see coach awards if the team is giving a plaque.
Wording and ordering
Iron Mask Award
Sam Okafor · Catcher
Valley 12U Baseball
Spring 2027
We build baseball and softball awards from the team’s logo, in acrylic, wood and metal: cut shapes for a whole roster, MVP trophies for the top award, and plaques for league records. There is no minimum order, design is free and you approve a proof first. League and tournament sets are on baseball trophies; the banquet plan is on end-of-season awards. Work back from closing day and check how far in advance to order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What awards do baseball teams give at the end of the season?
Commonly a pitching award, a hitting award, a fielding award, an MVP and most improved, with captains, seniors and an academic award for school teams.
Should statistics go on a baseball or softball award?
Usually not. Say the number at the presentation and keep the award to its name, the player, the team and the season.
Do t-ball players all get the same award?
Yes, in almost every league. T-ball is about learning the game, so every player receives the same award with their own name on it.
What are softball-specific award ideas?
A circle award for the pitcher, a slap hitter award in fastpitch, and a chant leader award for the dugout are all specific to softball.
What is a good award for a catcher?
An award that names the work behind the plate: blocking balls in the dirt, throwing out runners and catching every inning. Many teams call it an iron mask award.
How do you choose a baseball MVP?
Most coaches weigh pitching and hitting together and ask who the team could least do without. A vote of the coaching staff is common at older levels.
Awards for the whole team?
Send the team or league name, the logo and your award list. We design the set and send a proof before anything is produced.
See team awards
