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***image1***Maddison “Maddie” Byrd, daughter of Phil Byrd, 3rd Air Force, and Tammie Byrd, 435th Services Squadron, won the first Major League Baseball Sportsmanship, Team Spirit, Achievement and Responsibility award. Maddie was notified of her award Sept. 13 in the office of Col. Earl Matthews, 435th Air Base Wing commander, by the vice president of Major League Baseball Tom Brasuell and Frank Sanchez, of the Boys and Girls Club of America.
Maddie was shocked and speechless when she heard the news.
“I don’t know what to say but thank you so much,” she said.
Maddie is 15 years old and attends Ramstein American High School.
Representing Ramstein Youth Programs, the U.S. Air Force and military youth from around the world, Maddie and her parents will attend the third game of the World Series where Maddie will receive her award.
“Ramstein Youth Programs is proud of Maddie’s accomplishments and we are honored to have her as a member of our program and community,” said Dorothy Choate, 435th Services Squadron chief of family member programs flight.
One thousand three hundred Boys and Girls Club organizations throughout the country were eligible to select one MLB S.T.A.R. winner. Those winners, ranging in age from 10 to 18, moved on to state and regional MLB S.T.A.R. Award competitions. The six regional winners were selected by a panel of MLB executives to receive a trip to the 78th All-Star Game.
Commissioner Selig then selected Maddie out of the six regional winners to be the recipient of the S.T.A.R. Award.
“Our relationship with Boys and Girls Clubs of America has enabled Major League Baseball to reach out to a largely under-served group of young people,” said Commissioner Selig. “The opportunity to recognize and reward these young people for their outstanding achievements in sportsmanship and teamwork is an appropriate way to help them establish a strong foundation for a successful future.”
