Quesenberry named Champion of Character for all of NAIA baseball

 

Not all baseball recognition comes because of what you do between the lines.

Nathan Quesenberry, a senior from Elizabethtown, was named the Champion of Character for all of NAIA baseball when a coaching committee voted him to the honor from among nine other players at the NAIA World Series.

“He's just a great kid,” said his coach, Beauford Sanders. “Certainly very deserving of the honor.”

Sanders said Quesenberry overcame some adversity this season, suffering a mid-season injury, and still posted a .360 batting average and .925 fielding percentage from his second-base position.

The Champion of Character Award is named after Hank Burbridge, whom Sanders said was his mentor as he climbed the coaching ranks.

Criteria for the award include:Documented display of exemplary character and sportsmanship on the field, on campus and in the community ? specifically, fulfillment of the “Core Character Values” of respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship.

“Hank was a man of great integrity and did so much for amateur baseball over the years,” Sanders said. “He was past president of the NAIA and helped in the Olympics. He just did so much.”

Sanders said Quesenberry was having a tremendous first half of the season, until the injury, but he never let the injury get him down.

“He kept a good, positive upbeat attitude and continued to encourage his teammates even though he couldn't play,” Sanders said. “He may have lost a little of his batting stroke, but still played great defense.”

Campbellsville finished the 2009 season at 39-12, and played in its first-ever trip to the NAIA World Series.

-Richard RoBards, correspondent