Local volunteers honoured with Softball Alberta Merit Awards
By Ryan McCracken on September 29, 2018.
Medicine Hat News It’s been a month to remember for the Medicine Hat Minor Softball Association. Just a few weeks after under-16 Thunder coach Scott Kelly was named Softball Alberta coach of the year, the local softball association picked up a pair of Merit Awards and the right to host the U10, U12D and U14D girls provincial championships in July 2019. Alisha Dennison and Stephanie Cram were named as two of the province’s eight Merit Award recipients, recognizing volunteers who dedicate their hours to fostering, developing and promoting softball with at least five years of service in Alberta. While one award is reserved for each of the province’s eight zones, two zones failed to submit nominations for this year’s awards — opening the door for Cram to join Dennison on the winners’ list. MHMSA volunteer Kayla Plouffe was also nominated. Dennison signed on as a volunteer with MHMSA in 2013 and immediately made an impact by taking the reins on registration, which was largely left to board members in previous seasons. “Her extreme organization has started our season on the right foot every year for the past 6,” reads Dennison’s nomination, submitted by MHMSA president Michelle Campbell. “As we currently do not have an online registration system, she has made sure we have all the photo copies, all the brochures and information packages for clinics, season, rep ball and assessments organized well in advance.” In addition to managing registration, Dennison has also taken on the role of U8 parent pitch director for the past two seasons as well as coaching U4 and U6 squads and managing the U10 Thunder this past season. Cram joined MHMSA as an equipment co-ordinator in 2014 —a role previously filled by two people. Over the years Cram has added countless responsibilities to her role including management of the MHMSA offices, serving as casino chair and U8 parent pitch co-director, and coaching teams from U4 to U6. 10-9
