HOME Schedule Box Scores Stats Team Store Player Info Video Website Stats Tournament Schedule

Richard Wins Gold Glove Award

Outfielder beats out Tony Hardiman and Chad Doan for first Gold Glove

Mishawaka –

When Joe Richard was notified that he was selected as a nominee for the Street Kids Gold Glove Award, he said he was shocked and overwhelmed. Today, that feeling over shock will probably hit him again.

Richard, primarily an outfielder, was named the 2006 Gold Glove Award winner after being voted on by players on the Street Kids team. He beat out infielder Tony Hardiman and fellow outfielder Chad Doan. Richard took 44.4% of the votes as Hardiman had 37.1% and Doan 18.5%. It is the first Gold Glove of any type at any level for Richard.

“I was surprised to hear that I had won,” said Richard on Friday. “I voted for Tony because I thought he made some great plays this year at shortstop, but at the same time I’m thrilled that my teammates voted me the Gold Glove winner and I thank them very much for this honor.”

Richard joined the Street Kids in 2001 and has played a role in many league titles and tournament wins since joining. He play in the outfield has increased every year, a token that Richard likes to say comes with age.

“I think as you get older in this game, you get smarter,” he admitted. “When I was younger, I wanted to cheat in a little and try to steal a single. As I got older and more experienced, I realized I can actually get to more balls by playing deeper.”

Another reason Richard’s game has gotten better as he has learned to hit the cut-off man or stop trying to throw out a runner at home.

“When you’re younger and you have a decent arm, you want to throw everyone out,” he said. “But if you think about it, unless the throw is dead on, and the tag is perfectly applied, your chances of getting that guy are not that high. If you get the ball into second (base) you keep the double play intact.”

Richard has been asked several times this year to play infield when situation called for it and he stepped in very nicely, often making some great plays that an outfielder would not be able to make on the infield. Perhaps that could be the reason he edged Hardiman and Doan, who both play their position very well, but not that well in another position.

Hardiman won the tournament Gold Glove award in Rochester this summer, a tournament the Street Kids ended up tied for second place. Doan was nominated for the Gold Glove last year and also the Comeback Player award but lost the Gold Glove to Ryan Harlacher and the Comeback award to Dave Morrical. Doan is the only two-time Gold Glove nominee and the only three-time post-season award nominee.

“I think any one of these guys could have won this award,” said SK manager TJ Jorgensen. “Tony makes some plays at short that many guys cannot make while Chad can get to more balls in the outfield than many other players can. I think Joe’s ability to play both the infield and outfield made the decision for his teammates. And the fact that he does both very well.”

Richard will be awarded his Gold Glove trophy at the annual Awards Banquet, scheduled for November 25^th at the College Football Hall of Fame.

The voting for the prestigious Most Valuable Player award will begin this weekend with DH Hank Minix heavily favored to win.