In 2015, SDLL Board of Directors President Jill Simpson began awarding the Yusef Shabazz Sportsmanship Scholarship Award. Yusef Shabazz was a longtime SDLL volunteer coach who passed away unexpectedly in January 2015. A scholarship award dedicated to his memory was launched at opening ceremonies in 2015. The award recognizes a league age 12 player for exhibiting the Little League values of character, courage and loyalty based upon how the player has conducted himself or herself over the seasons, including the player’s sportsmanship, teamwork and overall love of baseball.

We are proud to announce that our 2022 award winner is BRENNAN BASILIERE. One coach was quoted as saying “BB is quick to pick-up a teammate or compliment a good play and I have NEVER heard him say a negative thing about a teammate, opponent, or game outcome. He loves to play and has fun every time he takes the field. As an example; two springs ago in AA he led our team, and I would guess the league in being hit by pitches. He was hit at least 9 times in the season, including 6 by one team. In these situations where many kids would be upset, frustrated, or angry, BB showed his true character. Each and every time, he would wince for a second, then smile and wave at the pitcher to let them know it was okay, then jog down to 1st and flash his big grin to the dugout while his teammates chanted Mag-nee-to, the nickname he has been given for being such a ball magnet. He never let it get him down. BB's the kid on base saying hi to the 1st baseman, the fielder complimenting a hitter on their hit when they reach base, and the kid in the post game huddle talking about how much fun the game was, regardless of the score. He represents so much of what is good in Little League; sportsmanship, hard work, fun, a great attitude, a love of baseball, and a kid who treasured the opportunity to be out on the field with friends when he, and probably all of us, needed it most."

Brennan now joins Jo Jo, Maleik, Trey, Maxwell, Landon, Braxton, Landon, Vincent, and Evan – a great company of players. Congratulations to Brennan and his family, from ALL of your fellow SDLL players and their families.

Many thanks also to Card My Yard of Chapel Hill for sponsoring the 2022 Yusef Shabazz Award.