The Northeast Indiana Baseball Association gathered Sunday night to celebrate a distinguished group of individuals who have left an indelible mark on the region’s baseball landscape.
Among the honorees was former Major League outfielder Josh Vanmeter, a Norwell High School alumnus whose professional journey took him from the Cincinnati Reds to the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Pittsburgh Pirates, and who also became the first player from the Fort Wayne area to suit up for the TinCaps.
Also recognized was Scott Gidley, a Northrop High School graduate who starred for the Indiana Hoosiers before carving out a notable amateur career, while longtime manager Randy Miller, who guided the Portland Rockets to the National Amateur Baseball Federation World Series and earned the 2025 NABF Man of the Year award, was celebrated for his contributions off the field.
The ceremony also highlighted Trey Deckman, a senior at Columbia City High School, who was named the 2026 Dick Crumback Player of the Year in acknowledgment of his outstanding performance and promise for the future.
A Community’s Baseball Legacy
Vanmeter, who expressed deep gratitude for being honored in his hometown, spoke about the importance of giving back and fostering the next generation of players, emphasizing that baseball remains a conduit for community building.
Miller’s induction underscored the impact of dedicated volunteers who manage and mentor teams, a role that often goes unnoticed but is vital to the sport’s grassroots growth.
The event, held under the auspices of the Northeast Indiana Baseball Association and supported by partners such as the National Amateur Baseball Federation, served as a reminder of the enduring spirit of amateur baseball in the region.
Fans and local officials alike praised the induction as a celebration of both athletic achievement and the broader values of teamwork, perseverance, and community service that the sport embodies.