Danville Hoots Baseball Club

The American Amateur Baseball Congress has awarded the 2009 WEST REGION COACH OF THE YEAR to Danville HOOTS Manager Don Johns.  The HOOTS won both State and West Regional Championships and became only the second team since 1959 from Northern California to acheive a West Region Championship in Connie Mack baseball and advance to the World Series in Farmington, New Mexico. This was the third year in a row for the HOOTS to win the North State Championship for Connie Mack Baseball and advance to the West Region tournament. The HOOTS finished their season with an overall record of 42-9-1.

In a recent interview Coach Johns acknowledged his coaching staff throughout the program for their success.  "I am not big on personal awards, so to me this award is recognition for our players who make the committment to be a HOOTS player and for our entire coaching staff who put so many hours into helping our players improve. I am proud of what we do and who we are and pleased that the AABC have recognized us for that."

"It is obvious I am very proud of this recognition when you consider the number of teams and outstanding coaching staffs that exist in the Western Region.  This is an organization award for the HOOTS program, and not a personal one."

After many of its years in American Legion Baseball the HOOTS joined AABC and the Connie Mack program four years ago to provide their players with a higher level of competition and exposure for the opportunty to play in a college program.