West Windsor Little League

West Windsor Little League Memorial Awards

Chris Ciuffani, Ingy Cox, & Jim Davis Awards
At the Awards/Championship day taking place at the end of every season, the West Windsor Little League gives out awards to one Baseball and Softball Majors 12 year old player, one Baseball and Sofball Minors player, and Jim Davis Sportsmanship award to one baseball and softball player.
Nominations for these awards, with a brief description of merit, should be submitted to the coordinators of the corresponding divisions.

Chris Ciuffani Award
The Chris Ciuffani Award is given out to one Baseball and Softball Majors 12 year old player for:
Love of the Game
Infectious, Eternal Optimism On and Off the Field
Efforts to Play Well
Fair Treatment of Others

The award is named after Christopher M. Ciuffani. Chris was a West Windsor boy who played through 12 years of age with the West Windsor Little League, and was tragically killed in a car accident in January 1994.

This award has been given since 1994. As Chris’s father said at the first award, "We are proud to have such an award presented in Chris’ name, for the award may, in some small way, help all of us keep sports in the proper perspective. The true value of any sport is in the enjoyment it brings to the players and in the lessons learned on the value of teamwork and sportsmanship which last a lifetime."

Past Award Winners
2007- Garrett Vena & Jeanine Asay, 2006 - Joseph Cirafici & Taylor Phelan, 2005 - Ryan Demouth & Alexandra Forsell, 2004 - Jonathan Squeri & Liz Chudzik, 2003 - Scott Kelly & Heather Jacobs, 2002 - David Block & Laura Hitselberger, 2001 - Colin Chudzik & Karlie O’Cone, 2000 - Matt Lodato & Christina Zimmerman, 1999 - Robert Engel & Alyssa Forsell, 1998 - Evan Cheresnick, 1997 - Ben Johnson, 1996 - Ben Hydo, 1994 - Elizabeth Bohnett & Gabel Child

Ingy Cox Award
The prestigious Ingy Cox Award is presented annually to one participant in each Baseball and Softball Minors Divisions. The best way to describe the potential candidates for this award is to review Ingy’s coach, Rick Petro’s story...

"Ingy was a boy who, as a very young kid had a heart transplant. This naturally brought on many complications with which he struggled with for many years. Ingy died several years ago as a result of the battle that he had with those complications. I coached Ingy for 2 years when he was 10 and 11. Ingy was not a very athletic kid nor was he close to being the best kid on the team. He was a kid with a lot of heart who never gave up. He was the kind of kid that was always first to show for practice. He practiced harder that most kids, never stopped trying, and always did what was necessary to help his team win. He loved playing the game of baseball."

Real story
In AAA ball, Ingy injured his arm when hit by a pitch. He didn’t let on that the arm was really hurt and wouldn’t come out of the game. He stole a couple of bases and ended up scoring the winning run. The next practice, he showed up with his arm in a sling and was out for the rest of the playoffs. He continued to show up and coach the bases and cheer on his team.

Ingy passed away in January 1999.

The award is for someone who, regardless of ability, never stops trying, loves the game, and encourages his teammates to do better.

Past Award Winners
2007 - Alex Lagana & Karlie Lombardi, 2006 - Bradley Madden & Mariel Sullivan, 2005 - Douglas Hall & Lyndsey Babcock, 2004 - Tim Dwyer & Jenna Modi, 2003 - George Connelly & Melissa Lichtman, 2002 - Justin Robbins & Brae McQuade, 2001 - Joe Murphy, 2000 - Elizabeth Downes, 1999 - Robby Girgenti

Jim Davis Sportsmanship Award
The Jim Davis Sportsmanship Award, established in 2004, is presented annually to a 12-year-old Little League Baseball and Softball player from each of the member Leagues in District 12. Established in memory of Jim Davis, sports reporter for The Trentonian, whose passion was Little League Baseball, the Sportsmanship Award will be presented at pre-game ceremonies of the 12-year-old District 12 Baseball Tournament.

Each member league in District 12 is asked to nominate one baseball and one softball player for each of their program charters. Nominees must be Little League age 12 and need not be members of the 12-year-old tournament team. While the method of selecting league representatives is up to the local league, recipients of the Jim Davis Sportsmanship Award will be selected using the following criteria:
Helps other players
Always tries hard
Displays enthusiasm and team spirit
Sets a good example
Plays fair at all times
Is a graceful loser
Doesn’t argue with the umpires
Is polite and courteous
Always does what team manager asks
Is a team player

Past Award Winners

2007 - Paul Balestrieri & Katelyn Black
2006 - Ryan Siegler & Rebeka Cirkus
2005 - Connor McElwee & Megan Chismar