Baseball’s Connor Graham Wins Maryland AAU Male HS Athlete of the Year!

Northern High School (Owings, Maryland) senior Connor Graham on November 8, 2015, became the first ever student-athlete from Ruth’s Baseball Ideals (RBI) Baseball Club (Annapolis, Md.) to win Maryland AAU Male High School Athlete of the Year honors.

The heat of that spotlight came into sharp focus when legendary Maryland AAU District Governor Ben Dubose surprised Graham with the 2015 Melvin “Mel” Parker Award presented annually to the top male and female athlete in Maryland who achieves a high standard of performance in AAU sanctioned district, regional, or national competition. The award is presented to the two individuals, under the age of 18, in recognition of their commitment and achievement in their individual or team sport.

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A Letter of Thanks...

Dear Mr. Dubose, Pastor Dubose and Coach Pineau,

I am writing to express my gratitude for receiving the Mel Parker Award at last week's 2015 Maryland AAU banquet.  I realize that Baseball is only one of many AAU sports, and so I especially appreciate this award. It is easy to see why Maryland AAU is so admired, and I feel very fortunate to be able to participate through Baseball.  

This unexpected recognition of my efforts toward excellence in academics and athletics gives me a new sense of confidence.  I will better my efforts in representing AAU, the District and Baseball to the best of my abilities.

Thank you so much for noticing my efforts and for giving me this award which I appreciate very much.

- Connor Graham

Ward Named Official of the Year!

Maryland District’s 3rd Lieutenant Governor, Maurice Ward, has been selected as Maryland Junior College Atlantic Conference’s (JUCO) Basketball Official of the Year for the 2014 season.  The award was presented by the Mid-Atlantic Basketball Association (MACBOA) at its Annual Basketball Official’s Clinic, which was held on October 18, 2015 at Prince George’s Community College. 

Maurice is an 18 year veteran and has officiated for Baltimore City High Schools, Baltimore Catholic League, Washington D.C. High Schools, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II and III basketball, JUCO, the Kenner Summer League at Georgetown University, and Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) National Tournaments.  

Maurice mentors young officials and works at an official’s basketball camp during the summer.  He is also an evaluator of officials for the Maryland Boys High School Basketball State Tournament, as well as the Crew Chief (Lead official) for just about all of the games he is assigned.  These are a few of the reasons Maurice’s peers selected him for the award.

“Maurice is an experienced and competent official.  He is compassionate about officiating and a good game manager,” says Donnie Gray, a retired veteran NCAA Division I and Final Four basketball official and Maurice’s mentor for 15 years.  When asked what drew him to officiating, Maurice said, “I love the sport of basketball and I get the best seat in the house.”

AAU Baseball: 2015 Report

It's unlikely anyone was working harder for AAU Baseball this year than John Pineau. And with reason. As Sports Director for Maryland AAU Baseball, Pineau is commissioner of the RBI Wood Bat League based in Anne Arundel, Kent, Prince George’s, Calvert, and Baltimore Counties and whose job is to get Maryland playing AAU Baseball—one of the sport’s so-called “Big 4” organizations at the national level: AAU, American Legion, USSSA, AABC.

How well he does with that could have far-reaching implications for both Maryland AAU Baseball and AAU Baseball in the Mid-Atlantic States region. "Our opportunity is to keep the players and teams that come along to our league for the first time, to keep them engaged, keep them excited," Pineau said. "That's a challenge, certainly. But I think it's one that we're up to as a league and national affiliation. AAU Baseball is a terrific foundation for that."

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Pink Diamonds Finish Strong

* * * 2nd PLACE WINNERS!!! * * *

Our Pink Diamonds Cheerleading Team had a fantastic time at the 2015 National Junior Olympics in Hampton, Va on August 4, 2015. We competed in the Senior (18 & under) Level 2 Cheerleading Competition and finished in 2nd place! A total of 8 girls competed and we had 2 mascots and three coaches.

We are all set to go to the Miss America Parade on September 12, 2015. This will be the baton twirling competition and will be held in Atlantic City, NJ.

Thanks for your encouragement and support!
Lisa. A. Fitts, MD District AAU Sports Director for Cheer, Dance, Baton Twirling & Gymnastics