News Summary

In a heartwarming ceremony at Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati celebrated the top young catchers from NCAA baseball, NCAA softball, and high school levels at the 2025 Johnny Bench Awards. The event, now in its 25th year, recognized exceptional talent from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and West Virginia, highlighted by remarks from baseball legends, including Johnny Bench himself. The awards showcased future stars like Caden Bodine and Reese Atwood, while emphasizing the critical role of catchers in the game. Winners will be celebrated at a formal luncheon and on-field ceremony this July.

Cincinnati Celebrates the Best Young Catchers at the 2025 Johnny Bench Awards

What an exciting day it was in Cincinnati as the 2025 Johnny Bench Awards Luncheon lit up the atmosphere at the iconic Great American Ball Park! The event was all about recognizing the exceptional talents of young catchers from NCAA baseball, NCAA softball, and high school levels across selected states. It’s a celebration that warms the heart while spotlighting some serious talent!

A Longstanding Tradition

The Johnny Bench Award has been honoring the cream of the crop for the past 25 years, initially focusing on the best NCAA baseball catcher. But since 2019, it has been expanded to include NCAA softball and high school catchers from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and West Virginia. That’s what we call progress!

With the stage set, the event was emceed by former sports anchor Dennis Johnson, who kept the energy high. Among the special guests was the man himself, Johnny Bench, a true baseball legend, alongside Reds president Phil Castellini, and current Reds catchers Jose Trevino and Tyler Stephenson. It was quite the lineup, making for a memorable day filled with baseball enthusiasm.

Why Catchers Matter

During his time at the podium, Phil Castellini stressed just how vital the catcher position is in baseball. These players do so much more than just catch the ball; they play a pivotal role that can make or break a game. Following his remarks, Johnny Bench spoke passionately about the young athletes, emphasizing how much this recognition means to them, not just for their current achievements but also as a stepping stone for their educational and career advancements.

How Winners Were Chosen

The selection process for the awards was pretty fascinating. Input was gathered from local media, coaches’ associations, and state scouting organizations to pinpoint the top talents, but in the end, the final winners were chosen by Johnny Bench himself. That’s pretty special!

Meet the Winners of 2025

The standout award for the top male NCAA baseball catcher went to Caden Bodine from Coastal Carolina University. He’s already on the radar as a first-round draft pick for the Baltimore Orioles in 2025. Wow, talk about a promising future!

On the ladies’ side of things, Reese Atwood from the University of Texas took home the title for the top female NCAA softball catcher. She’s been a crucial part of Texas’ Women’s College World Series championship run, proving her mettle on the field.

In the high school category, the recognition didn’t stop there! Olivia Young from Jasper, Indiana was recognized as the best female high school catcher. She’s buzzing with gratitude after being spotlighted, especially since she comes from a smaller town. Then there’s Bryson McNew from Preston High School in West Virginia, who claimed the title of the best male high school catcher. He shared the sentiment that his state deserves more recognition for its baseball talent.

Last but definitely not least, Caleigh Shaulis from Walsh Jesuit High School in Ohio received the award for best female high school softball catcher. Achieving this title is a personal victory for her, one she’s envisioned since her freshman year. It’s inspiring to see young athletes reach their goals!

Celebrating in Style

The joy doesn’t end here! The winners will be celebrated at a formal luncheon on July 29 at Great American Ball Park, followed by an exciting on-field ceremony before a Reds game against the Dodgers. Talk about a fantastic way to bring recognition to these young stars!

Let’s not forget that previous winners include major league stars like Buster Posey and Adley Rutschman, along with Olympic medalists. These accolades showcase not just impressive stats, but also the leadership, toughness, and heart that are essential to excel as a catcher. It’s clear that the future of baseball is bright, thanks to these outstanding young athletes!

We can’t wait to see what these winners accomplish next on their baseball journeys. Here’s to the sport and the incredible talents that continue to emerge from it. Go catchers!

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