ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Softball Canada has established Athlete of the Year awards presented by Home Run Sports (a division of Kahunaverse Sports). A total of six Athlete of the Year award recipients will be announced on an annual basis:

• Female Fast Pitch Athlete of the Year
• Male Fast Pitch Athlete of the Year
• Female Fast Pitch Minor Athlete of the Year
• Minor Male Fast Pitch Minor Athlete of the Year
• Female Slo-Pitch Athlete of the Year
• Male Slo-Pitch Athlete of the Year

The Softball Canada Awards Committee will consult with National Team coaches and Canadian Championship Supervisors to determine the recipients for each Athlete of the Year category. The recipients will be announced prior to the Softball Canada Congress.

Upon selection, and prior to final approval by the Board, the recipients' provincial or territorial association (President, Executive Director or other designated senior staff member) may be consulted to confirm the selected recipient is a member in good standing.

The name of the individuals selected as Athletes of the Year will be submitted to the Softball Canada Board of Directors for final approval.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The recipients of the six Athlete of the Year awards will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Must be a Canadian citizen / landed immigrant.
• Must be a member in good standing with Softball Canada.
• Must have represented Softball Canada at the international level; and/or
• Must have played in a Canadian Championship.
• Cannot be a previous winner.

In determining the recipients of the Athlete of the Year awards, Softball Canada will take many factors into account including, but not limited to, individual performance, team performance, experience and leadership.

2024 RECIPIENTS

FEMALE FAST PITCH ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

ERIKA POLIDORI (Brantford, Ont.) marked her 12th season with the Canadian Women's National Team, continuing to be a key contributor both offensively and defensively. As a standout left fielder, Polidori's impact was felt at the plate and in the field, starting with her stellar performance at the Canada Cup where she was named an All-Star and played a pivotal role securing Canada's gold medal. Her efforts carried into the 2024 WBSC Women's Softball World Cup, where her clutch hitting, and flawless fielding were instrumental in Canada's bronze medal finish. Polidori started all six games, finishing the World Cup with six hits - four of them doubles - along with two RBIs, four runs scored and a .286 batting average.

MALE FAST PITCH ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

MATHIEU ROY (St-Gervais, Que.) has been an integral part of the Men's National Team program since 2012, and this season he played a crucial leadership role in helping Canada secure qualification for the 2025 WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Finals. As the team's leadoff hitter, Roy set the tone offensively, finishing the season with an impressive .412 batting average and a .941 slugging percentage. His performance wasn't just limited to the plate - he was a steady presence in left field as well

WOMEN’S SLO-PITCH ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

SHELBY CRAIG (Oshawa, Ont.) was a key player for Team Canada at the Border Battle and a driving force behind the Home Run Sports/Miken Ladybirds' gold medal win at the Women's Canadian Slo-Pitch Championship. Craig delivered a strong performance at the plate, finishing the Canadian Championship with a .571 batting average and 32 hits were for extra bases, leading the tournament in doubles and placing fourth in triples. Craig's contributions both offensively and defensively were instrumental to her team's championship success.

MEN’S SLO-PITCH ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

STEELE LEWIS (Essex, Ont.) solidified his reputation as one of the top Slo-Pitch athletes in the world with standout performance at both the Men's Canadian Slo-Pitch Championship and the Border Battle. Leading his team, Orioles/Tigers, to an impressive second-place finish, Lewis dominated at the plate, finishing with a .783 batting average. He ranked first in hits with 36, while driving in 37 runs and smashing 14 home runs, earning him the well-deserved MVP title at the Canadian Championship. At the Border Battle, Lewis led Team Canada with nine home run, further establishing himself as a critical force in the team's lineup.

PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS