The Bulls officially brought the 2009 season to a conclusion with the annual awards presentation  Saturday. Three days after the team lost game the fifth and deciding game of their opening round play off series to Medicine Hat, the players and coaches got together one final time for a luncheon at the Shark Club. It also gave everyone an opportunity to say good bye before they head their separate ways.
 

When the season got underway late in May the Bulls quickly developed into a close-knit unit. Head Coach Scott Rhodes and his assistants Ken Fuglerud and John Henry Marquardt deserve some of the credit for bringing everyone together to form a solid team.
 
Bulls President and General Manager Kevin Kvame was pleased with the team's camaraderie and spirit. "We had good chemistry on the team this season", he said. "Everyone played hard, and as a unit, from day one through to the end of the season", he added. "And I think we had a good year."
 
The Bulls presented seven individual awards this season.   Clean up hitter and third baseman Jesse Sawyer won the RBI Award. It goes to the member of the team that collects the most two out RBIs during the season. Sawyer was also the team's overall RBI leader with 43 and home run leader with 7. He had a .275 batting average and an on-base percentage of .404, second highest on the team behind Dustin Bissonnette, and he led the team in walks with 36.

Two pitchers and a three year veteran of the team were also recognized with awards. Pitcher Adam Reynolds was presented with the Sportsmanship Award. The native of Guelph, Ontario, in his first season with the Bulls, had a record of 5 and 3, logged the most innings of
any pitcher on the staff (56.1), and won game two of the play off series with Medicine Hat. 
 
The coaches presented a Sawed Off Award for the pitcher who broke the most opposition bats during the season. Second year starter Alex Tufts took home the award, and a little money that goes along with the it. Tufts was 3 and 2 with a 3.14 earned run average, the lowest among all the starting pitchers.
 
The Hardest Worker Award went to outfielder Ryan MacDonald. He assumed a new role with the team this season, hitting ninth in the order. His speed and ability to get on base acted like a second lead off hitter for the Bulls. He also played very well defensively patrolling left field.
 
Outfielder Zach Rhodes was named the Rookie of the Year. The Prairie Baseball Academy's all time hit leader had an excellent first year with the Bulls. He led the team in doubles with 16, had a .302 batting average, 2 home runs, 24 RBIs and an on base percentage of .397.
 
Shreveport, Louisiana native Richard Pharr took the Pitcher of the Year award. He led the pitching staff in appearances with 29, all in relief, wins (6-1), earned run average (2.27) and strikeouts (60). He allowed only 11 earned runs and 12 walks, and opposition hitters had a collective batting average of .188 against him.
 
Catcher/designated hitter Joel Blake is the Bulls 2009 Most Valuable Player. He hit .312 with 8 doubles, a triple, a home run, and had an on base percentage of .372. He was also solid defensively, throwing out base runners and calling the game for the pitching staff.
 
But perhaps more important than his statistical contribution was his role as the catalyst for the offence.  By mid-season Blake became one of the Bulls most dependable and consistent hitters. In fact he hit so well that Coach Rhodes moved him from the latter part of the batting order to lead off. The move gave the team's offence a boost down the stretch, and was a major factor in helping the Bulls finish second in the West to secure home field advantage for the opening round of the play offs.
 
"Joel plays hard and is completely focused", said Rhodes.  "He's in the game every single pitch and has tremendous dedication to the game. He was clutch for us all season long", the coach added.
 
In looking back on the season Rhodes is generally happy and proud of his team. "They (the players) came together and got along well', he says. "We came up a little short in the play offs, but I still feel we had a great season. I'm looking forward to having some of these guys back next season."
 
In making reference to next year Rhodes offered a clear indication he's plans to coach the Bulls in 2010. So in wrapping up the season the Head Coach gets the last word: "Yes I will be back next year...if Kevin (Kvame) will have me."