The Peach Belt Conference recently unveiled the winners of its baseball and softball Team Sportsmanship Awards, a distinction that underscores the league’s commitment to fair play and ethical competition.
Historic Firsts Highlight Award Season
Claflin’s baseball program captured the baseball honor for the first time in school history, while Middle Georgia’s softball team earned the softball award in its inaugural season within the conference, marking another milestone for the institution.
Presented by Athletic Solutions, the awards celebrate teams that consistently demonstrate sportsmanship, integrity, and class, with the selection process involving votes from every competing institution across the league.
Since the award’s inception in 2008, the voting framework has evolved to include a points system that translates ballots into a score, which is then shared with the conference’s Senior Woman Administrators council for final determination.
This year, a new ejection component was added to the evaluation, deducting points from any team that incurred ejections during the regular season, thereby expanding the scope of sportsmanship to include on‑field conduct.
Beyond the headline winners, Middle Georgia’s men’s soccer and volleyball squads also celebrated their first‑season triumphs in the Peach Belt, reflecting the conference’s growing emphasis on holistic athletic excellence.
The recognition serves as a reminder that success in the Peach Belt is measured not only by wins on the scoreboard but also by the character displayed by student‑athletes and programs alike.