About the Jim Quinn Award
The Jim Quinn award is given annually to recognize a person for their outstanding dedication to helping the sport of beep baseball.
Mission of the Jim Quinn Award
It shall be the policy of the Jim Quinn committee to make every effort to be fair and objective in regards to bestowing the NBBA’s highest honor on a deserving candidate each year.
This committee does so with the full appreciation of the fact that a Jim Quinn nomination is submitted by NBBA members motivated by a deep sense of gratitude towards the nominee who means a great deal to the individual and/or team who submitted a nomination letter.
Legacy of Jim Quinn
As one of the founders of the NBBA, Jim Quinn was considered one of the best players in the history of the NBBA. Known as the “Ted Williams” of Beep Baseball, Mr. Quinn was a powerful hitter and an all around good athlete.
More importantly, Jim Quinn was the embodiment of the NBBA goal of enabling those who are blind or sight impaired to reach their full potential through participation in athletic competition. Jim Quinn’s life is a model for all of us.
A gifted athlete before he lost his sight to Diabetes, Jim did not shy away from any challenge. His love of sports enabled him to overcome his impairment and lead his life to the fullest. Always humble, Jim was always willing to help others demonstrating a willingness to share with his many friend’s problems.
He dedicated five years to the sport of beep baseball, a game he loved very much. Both on and off of the field of competition Jim’s service to those who are blind and visually impaired remains an inspiration to players and volunteers alike. An award given to Jim Quinn in 1975 sums up how much he was admired and why this award is given in his honor. It said “Jim Quinn. A man whose blindness only made him a bigger winner”. This is the essence of Jim Quinn the athlete but, most of all Jim Quinn the person, He is a role model for us all and this is why the Jim Quinn Award was so named.
The spirit of Jim Quinn is that of courage and humility, of service to others, of leadership by example and deed, inspiration by overcoming adversity and by always giving 100% effort, sportsmanship and dedication to promoting sports for the visually impaired.
Jim Quinn’s positive impact on the lives of others during his lifetime and now is his lasting legacy. His greatness lives through this award and each recipient is the torch bearer of his legacy.
Guiding Principle- The Legacy of Jim Quinn
Paragraph 4 of the Legacy of Jim Quinn is the guiding rule by which to first measure the eligibility of a nominee.
Paragraph four states; “The spirit of Jim Quinn is that of courage and humility, of service to others, of leadership by example and deed, inspiration by overcoming adversity and by always giving 100% effort, sportsmanship and dedication to promoting sports for the visually impaired”.
| Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Liaa Michaels | 2022 | Stephen Guerra |
| 2021 | Alfonso Medrano |
| 2019 | Tim Hibner |
| 2018 | Janet Leonard |
| 2017 | Kevin Burton |
| 2016 | Kevin Miller |
| 2015 | Debbie Brummer |
| 2014 | Terri Smolka |
| 2013 | Sylvia Redman |
| 2012 | David Smolka |
| 2011 | Jon Walker |
| 2010 | Wilbert Turner |
| 2009 | John Parker |
| 2008 | Kerry Kuck |
| 2007 | Jim Wolfe |
| 2006 | Leonard Williams |
| 2005 | James Gong |
| 2004 | Jerry Orr |
| 2003 | Randy Stalcup |
| 2002 | Ron Whaley |
| 2001 | Kevin Barrett |
| 2000 | Jan Traphagan |
| 1999 | Nick Lopez |
| 1998 | Kevin Sibson |
| Wayne Sibson | |
| Rusty Reames | |
| Rod Reames | |
| 1997 | Marty Skutnik |
| 1996 | Joe Wood |
| 1995 | Steve Perry |
| 1994 | Glen Hopkins |
| 1993 | John Lykowski |
| 1992 | Dan Tracy |
| 1991 | Dr. Ed Bradley |
| 1990 | Jim Capek |
| 1989 | Rick Casillas |
| 1988 | Bob Bigger |
| Jeanette Bigger | |
| 1987 | Angie Meier |
| 1986 | Cora McKiernan |
| 1985 | Frank Mathena |
| 1984 | Boyd Wix |
| 1983 | Jim Mastro |
| 1982 | Kim Crossen |
| 1981 | John Ross |
Nominations
How close does the nominee exemplify these qualities?
- Longevity of service to their team and/or the NBBA as well as, those who are blind and sight impaired.
- Efforts both inside and outside the game of Beep Baseball in the advancement of those who are blind and visually impaired to reach their full potential. For example, the nominee is a coach but also a member of the Pioneers or the Lions.
- Number of or scope of work, responsibilities, duties adopted in service to Beep Baseball and those who are blind and sight impaired. For example, the nominee is their local team’s President and she/he also has served on the NBBA Board.
- Availability of timeline of years involved with the sport of Beep Baseball. In other words who, what, when, where and how of the candidates efforts of dedicated service to the sport of Beep Baseball, their team, the NBBA and those who are blind and visually impaired.
- List the nominee’s accomplishments in service to the organization. For example, the nominee secured a successful fundraiser or chaired a tournament or NBBA World Series.
This list is only a guide and not to be considered the only things that can be considered when submitting a nomination letter on an individual that you or your team believes to be a good candidate for the Jim Quinn Award. Please send your Jim Quinn Award nominations by email.