The Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission announced today the list of ten semi-finalists for the 3rd Annual
Johnny Bench Award. This award is presented annually at the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet to the nation's top collegiate catcher, as voted on by a panel of sportswriters, sportscasters, Division I coaches and scouts.
Adam Shorsher, a senior catcher fom San Jose, Calif., (Leland HS) leads the WAC in home runs (13) and is third in slugging percentage (.609). Shorsher's 51 RBI's lead the Spartans and are good for fifth in the conference. Shorsher is just one of three seniors to be named a semi-finalst.
The
Johnny Bench Award semi-finalsts are (in alphabetical order):
John Baker California Junior
Steve Booth San Francisco Senior
Jeremy Brown Alabama Senior
Alberto Concepcion Southern Cal Junior
Ryan Garko Stanford Junior
Chris Hamblen Cincinnati Junior
Tyler Parker Georgia Tech Junior
Brian Rose Florida Junior
Adam Shorsher San Jose State Senior
Chris Snyder Houston Junior
A committee representing national sportswriters, sportscasters, narrowed the watch list of 32 catchers, down to ten semi-finalsts.
A final vote among the national selection committee will occur at the end of the College World Series. All three finalists will be invited to Wichita for the 5th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 25, 2002 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.