Brentwood, TN – Three Ohio Valley Conference catchers are on the official watch list for the 2013 Johnny Bench Award presented by BaseballSavings.com, the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission announced recently.
The three players are Eastern Kentucky junior Sean Hagen, Austin Peay junior P.J. Torres and Tennessee Tech junior Jordan Parris.
A watch list for the Johnny Bench Award is compiled from nominations received from universities. A selection committee will then narrow the list down to the semifinalists. Statistical information on each semifinalist is then compiled and sent to the national selection committee by the end of May.
A vote by the national selection committee narrows the list to the three finalists. Another vote during the College World Series will determine who will be named the Johnny Bench National Collegiate Catcher of the Year. The three finalists will be brought to Wichita for the awards banquet at the end of June.
While Johnny Bench is remembered for his offense, he may have had the greatest impact behind the plate. He was the first receiver to use a protective helmet in the field, popularized catching one-handed and kept his throwing hand behind his back to protect it from foul tips.
