The Howard Palmetto Khoury League (HPKL) always has been a kind of extended family for its participants, and the annual Juvenile banquet is a chance to recognize the contributions of its members.

This year was even more special than usual, with HPKL alum and University of Miami baseball standout Greg Lovelady speaking to the assembled group.

Lovelady, who starred in the Khoury League but struggled somewhat at the high school level for Palmetto, talked about the hard work and perseverance that helped him realize his dream of starting at catcher for the national champion Hurricanes.

"When I walked into the locker room my freshman year [1998], I realized that all these players were drafted in the first or second round and on athletic scholarships…I was probably one of the least talented guys in there, but I did everything I could possibly do to make myself better," Lovelady explained.

He spoke excitedly about going to the College World Series this year saying, "All the extra work pays off in the end…never give up on your dreams, just work harder…."

The special awards wrapped up the evening with Bob James, a long time umpire in and friend of the HPKL, who introduced the co-winners of the Coaches Award, Philip Lopez and Justin Shopay, with a dramatic speech. James, who is a leading high school, junior college and Division I umpire in Miami-Dade said, "My first love and closest to my heart will always be HPKL." The coaches award winner should demonstrate "a great attitude, teamwork and self-sacrifice for the good of the team," James explained, and that the co-winners had demonstrated this time and again.

Commissioner of Baseball Bob Schroer presented the Joel Jankowitz Memorial Award to Brett Graves. In addition to having spent at least eight years in the league, he said the winner should possess "exceptional leadership, dedication and sportsmanship."

Frank Dodge, another longtime umpire in and friend of the Khoury League, presented the Sam Richie Award, the most valuable player award, to Kim Gomes. He described Gomes as someone who would, "run through a brick wall if you asked him to."

Dodge, who has also been a coach in the league and a parent of children in the league, spoke powerfully of how it was, "impossible not to fall in love with these kids…The ones that are positive, that try their hardest, and are a good influence. Those are the ones you root for — even though you call the game straight."

Master of ceremony Bob Hingston and Juvenile vice president Joe Cilli Sr. introduced coaches Mark Kramarz, Paul Fisher, Jim Perry and Rick Mittelberg. The coaches presented all the eight-and nine-year veterans of the HPKL with plaques to commemorate their dedication to the program. The nine-year players included Brian Cohen, Michael Fein, Matt Fisher, Jeremy Furman, Josh Hoffman, Richard Kaye, Jeremy Klurman, David Kramarz, Chris Marson, Brian Mittelberg, Stephen Perry, Greg Phelan, Paul Pomier, Brad Schlesinger and Jesse Summers. The eight-year players were Jorge Aldecoa, Dan Fernandez, Ryan Garcia, Brett Graves, and Adam Hurwitz.

The Rockies and Pirates finished the regular season in first and second place respectively, but it was the third place Phillies and fourth place Marlins who made it to the finals of the league tournament. The Marlins beat the Rockies and the Phillies beat the Dodgers to set up the showdown, which was won by the Phillies.

The Homerun Derby winners also were given their awards. Matt Reynolds finished first, Alex Rivero came in second, Justin Shopay was third, and Brett Graves came in fourth.

The Juvenile All-Stars this year were called up and recognized, and they are Jorge Aldecoa, Nicolas Alves, Andrew Bannister, Felix Espinales, Daniel Fernandez, Brett Graves, Kim Gomes, Richard Kaye, Jeremy Klurman, Phillip Lopez, Stephen Perry, Matt Reynolds, Brad Schlesinger, Justin Shopay and Ray Tolmos.