Friends of Community Field to Recognize Local Youth Athletes with Awards

Friends of Community Field to Recognize Local Youth Athletes with Burlington Bees Community Player of the Year Awards at Annual Banquet

BURLINGTON, Iowa — Friends of Community Field is now accepting nominations for the Burlington Bees Community Player of the Year Awards, honoring outstanding local youth baseball and softball players during the 2025 season. The awards will be presented at the Friends of Community Field & Burlington Bees Annual Banquet on Friday, February 6, 2026, at the Catfish Bend Convention & Event Center.

The awards recognize local athletes for on-field performance and overall impact. A total of six awards will be presented, three in baseball and three in softball, across the following age groups: Youth (ages 7–12), Junior (ages 13–16) and High School.

Nominations are open to the public and must be submitted by Friday, January 16. Anyone may nominate a player. Winners will be selected by a review panel.

"These awards are about recognizing the hard work and impact of young athletes throughout our communities," said Austin Schwartz, board president of Friends of Community Field. "We are proud to create an opportunity to highlight local baseball and softball players who had an outstanding 2025 season."

The Burlington Bees Community Player of the Year Awards are coordinated by Friends of Community Field, the nonprofit arm of the Burlington Bees, and are distinct from the Bees' Prospect League team. The awards are exclusively for local youth and high school players from the surrounding region.

"The Friends of Community Field & Burlington Bees Annual Banquet is a celebration of baseball in our community," said Jill Mason, general manager of the Burlington Bees. "Hosting these awards allows us to recognize the talent and impact of local players while bringing the baseball community together."

The awards will be presented during the Friends of Community Field & Burlington Bees Annual Banquet, a ticketed event. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $90 per individual or $650 for a table of eight.

Nominations can be submitted online through the Friends of Community Field nomination form or at GoBees.com under the Community Field tab.

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About Friends of Community Field

Friends of Community Field is the nonprofit organization supporting Community Field and its role as a hub for baseball, softball and community events in Burlington. As the nonprofit arm of the Burlington Bees, Friends of Community Field works to enhance the ballpark experience while supporting youth athletics and community engagement throughout the region.