West Australian Baseball League's 1951 inaugural 'Presidents Medal'
c. 1951The West Australian Baseball League's 1951 inaugural Presidents Medal is oval-shaped and made of metal. The obverse is gold-coloured and has a laurel wreath border topped with a curled finial, which creates a loop for a chain. In the centre is an embossed swan with the letters WABL encircling it. The reverse of the medal is a dark bronze colour engraved with the words 'Fairest & Best 1951 Won by B. Crutchett'.
The West Australian Baseball League's 'Presidents Medal' was the State League grade Fairest & Best Award. Brian Crutchett was the first winner of the 'Presidents Medal' in 1951 – aged 19 – when he polled 23 votes.
The WABL 'Presidents Medal' was awarded annually from 1951 to 1999. In May 1999 Baseball WA Ltd was formed with the amalgamation of the West Australian Baseball League and the Baseball Development Foundation. Subsequently the State League fairest and best award was renamed the 'Neville Pratt Medal'. Neville Pratt was a talented player and represented both his state and country with class and distinction both on and off the field.
Details
Details
[Obverse]
'WABL'
[Reverse]
'Fairest & Best 1951 Won by B. Crutchett'
Brian Crutchett was a star player for the legendary Swan Districts teams of the 1950s. He played for Swans between 1951 and 1957 and was one of the most dominant pitchers throughout this period. He was the starting pitcher in four grand final series in which Swan Districts won the premiership. Along with catcher Roy Gooch, they formed the most formidable battery in all of WA baseball for many years. In this time, Swan Districts won five of their seven consecutive premierships. Brian was a key member of the winning teams, both as a pitcher and an infielder/hitter.
In 1951, representing Western Australia in his Claxton Shield Series debut in Adelaide, Brian threw a shut-out against Queensland in his first game on the mound, to lead WA to a 9-0 victory.
In recognition of a stellar baseball career, Brian Crutchett was inducted into the Baseball WA Hall of Fame in 2021. His 'Presidents Medal' was donated to the Baseball WA Museum and Archives by the Crutchett family.
A game of social significance, the popularity of baseball in Western Australia during the 1950s drew large crowds of spectators. This medal has special historic significance as the first Fairest and Best Award presented by the West Australian Baseball League. It is in excellent condition and comes with impeccable provenance.
Other items from Baseball WA
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Doug Mateljan - Western Australian baseballer
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1961 Western Australian State Juniors baseball team pocket patch
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1961 Swan Districts Baseball Club Junior Premiers photograph
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1954 Nedlands Baseball Club 'A' Grade trophy - Most Improved - A. Lodge
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1950s collage of pocket badges and photograph – American Eagles Club and W.A. Baseball League Umpires
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