The Earl Hawkins Award: Honoring Excellence in Central Virginia Softball

2025

Don Clatterbough

In 2025, the Earl Hawkins Award is awarded to Don Clatterbough due to his outstanding softball career and many successes on the field as a player along with his participation and support of Central Virginia ASA softball. This award is presented annually to a member of the Hall of Fame who has demonstrated the same core values as Earl Hawkins. Clatter has many accolades:  7 softball Hall of Fames, 2 baseball HOF, and 3 National HOF are part of his resume. He has been a part of about 200 National Championships over the years and continues to enjoy the game. He has donated his time to being a part of the committee and Chairman for ASA/USA over the years. Giving back is key- he loves the game of softball along with the great memories and friendships formed over the years.

2024

Ron Bew

2023

Wayne Tinsman

Wayne was recognized with the Earl Hawkins Award in 2023.

2022

Henry Pollard

The recipient of the 2022 Earl Hawkins Award is a true ambassador to ASA softball. One of the premier slow pitch umpires in the sport’s history, Henry Pollard’s name has been synonymous with ASA softball for over 50 years. The majority of his time has been spent in the umpiring field. He’s known around the world for his knowledge of the game and the rules that surround it. Pollard began umpiring in 1967. His resume lists titles going as far back as 1973 when he was appointed Umpire-In-Chief of Metro Richmond. He served in that position as well as Umpire-In-Chief of the Central Atlantic Region until 1989. In 1989 Henry was appointed National Deputy Director of Umpires until he retired in 2004. Known as an outstanding clinician, Pollard’s role on the national level included umpire clinics and schools in every state as well as many foreign countries. He served as Umpire-In-Chief for more than 100 National Championships. In 2001 Henry became Deputy Umpire-In-Chief for the International Softball Federation. Henry served with the late Merle Butler as Co-UIC for many World Championships, Pan-Am Games and Olympic Qualifiers. The highlight of his umpire career was serving as Assistant Umpire-In-Chief for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. He was inducted into the Central Virginia ASA Hall-of-Fame in 1988 and the Tidewater Virginia ASA Hall-of-Fame in 1998. Henry was inducted into the National ASA Hall of Fame in 1994. When Frank Taylor retired in 2004, Henry took over as the Central Virginia ASA Commissioner.

2019

Bill Reynolds

In 2019, the Earl Hawkins Award was awarded to Bill Reynolds.  

2018

Weed James

The 2023 Earl Hawkins Award was presented to Ed "Weed" James for his contributions to softball

2017

Eddie Dorin

The 2021 Earl Hawkins Award honored Eddie Dorin.

2015

Peanut Gibson

Earl “Peanut” Gibson was awarded the Earl Hawkins Award in 2015 due to his outstanding softball career on and off the field. This award demonstrates a Hall of Fame Members core values of the game he loves. “Peanut” was known as one of the best shortstops in Central Va. for his outstanding defensive skills. He played for some of the top teams in the 1960’s and 1970’s. He was inducted into the Central Virginia ASA Hall of Fame in 2002.

2014

Wayne Samford

2013

Earl Hawkins

The start of this prestigious award in 2013 began because of Earl being a legendary figure in Central Virginia softball. This award celebrates excellence both on and off the field. Earl’s outstanding career as a player and coach, coupled with his unwavering dedication to the growth of softball, made him a pillar of the Central Virginia ASA community. To honor and celebrate Earl’s core values: passion for the game, commitment to sportsmanship, and a lasting impact on the softball community,  a member of the Hall of Fame who embodies these values will be chosen yearly to receive this award.