The Vashon High School Pirates baseball team held its end-of-season awards banquet last week. Coach Steve Hall addressed the players and their families with his reflections on the season and the contributions of each of the players.

He commended the team on a good season, noting that the Pirates went further into the play-offs this year than any recent year. This was the product of the players’ hard work and focus, according to Hall.

The coaches gave out awards. Seniors Chris Allman, Justin Calhoun and Tom Schumaker were voted All-Nisqually League first team by league coaches. Senior Micah Deibell and junior Chris Pieterick were voted to the second team. Senior Nathan Ott earned honorable mention.

Nisqually League coaches also voted Vashon for the team sportsmanship award. Hall noted that Vashon also got the award his first year coaching.

At that time, he assumed it was given as a “consolation prize” to the Pirates because they were at the bottom of the league. But having gotten it this year, when the Pirates placed second, he said he understands that the coaches really pay attention to a team’s behavior.

“I tell our boys, ‘win or lose, after the last out of the game, you come back to the dugout, compose yourselves, then go out and congratulate your opponent with the same sincerity.’ I’m proud of our boys for that and for how they conduct themselves during practice and games. This award means a lot more to me now.”

Team awards were voted on by the players and given to the following players: On varsity, the Co-MVPs for the season were Justin Calhoun and Micah Deibell. Team captain was Tom Schumaker. The Greg Smith award for the player who exemplifies the hard work and commitment to the team of the former Pirate ballplayer went to Tom Schumaker. Most improved was Nathan Ott.

Junior varsity awards went to the following: MVP — Joe Gilmour. Best team player — Ryan Johnson. Most improved — Stacey Grisham.

Batting champs for varsity and junior varsity were, respectively, Justin Calhoun and freshman Peter Johnson.

Hall ended his remarks by thanking his assistant coaches Jim Martin, Mark Leonard and Adam Laskey, as well as the parents, grandparents and friends of the team who supported the boys during games and with fundraising throughout the season.