Wills, Colletti Honored to be in Chicago

The Chicago-based Pitch & Hit Club will host its 61st annual awards dinner Jan. 28 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

This year's guest list is headlined by former Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop and basestealer Maury Wills and Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti. In all, more than 20 other baseball notables receiving awards.

In addition to Wills and Colletti, this year's list of award-winners includes MLB vice president Bob Watson, Chicago White Sox center fielder Brian Anderson, White Sox hitting coach Greg Walker and Chicago Cubs president John McDonough.

Many of the award-winners will sign autographs prior to the banquet. There is a silent auction to give people a chance to bid on memorabilia. Companies like Hoosier Bats are there and provide a chance to look at their products.

Past honorees include Derrek Lee, Mark Prior and Carlos Zambrano of the Cubs and Ozzie Guillen and Jerry Reinsdorf of the White Sox. The winners have come from other sports, such as boxer Leon Spinks, and have included Morris native and big-leaguer Scott Spiezio, Cubs minor-leaguer Billy Petrick and Wilmington High School baseball coach Kevin Feeney.

"What we try to do is honor people who accomplish things in the game from the area," a spokeman said. "Our award-winners range from professionals down to college coaches and high school coaches. And, in addition to honoring professional players, we try to keep an eye on minor leaguers from the Chicago area and give them awards when they're deserved."