Sonny Stomp Award 2024, News (Kingsville Minor Baseball )

The Sonny Stomp Award, named in memory of Julius "Sonny" Stomp Jr., is a long-standing tradition of the Kingsville Minor Ball Association. Sonny, who was known for his friendliness, generosity, and dedication to the community, was a coach, volunteer, sponsor, and active member of the local baseball scene until his passing in 1990. To honor his legacy, the board chose to dedicate the yearly Appreciation Award in his name, celebrating individuals, coaches, members, and sponsors who have made significant contributions to the development of youth baseball in Kingsville.

For the 2024 season, the board is proud to recognize Melo LLP and Tyler Bradbury as the recipients of this years award for their exceptional support and dedication to the Kingsville baseball community.

Melo LLP: A Pillar of Support in the Baseball Community

Melo LLP has been an unwavering partner of the Kingsville Baseball Association for three consecutive years, consistently standing out as a top-tier sponsor. Their financial contributions have been crucial in sustaining the organization’s operations and enabling its continued success. In addition to providing financial support, Melo LLP has played an essential role in managing the Baseball Association’s administrative responsibilities, ensuring compliance with government regulations, filing taxes, and organizing essential paperwork. This behind-the-scenes work has allowed coaches, volunteers, and board members to focus on providing baseball programming for local youth, without the stress of managing complex legal and financial obligations.

Jason Melo, the founder of Melo LLP, and his wife Kelly, have also gone above and beyond as coaches, investing their time and energy in fostering a love of the game in young athletes. Since their daughter started playing t-ball in 2018, both have been actively involved, coaching multiple teams each year in both hardball and fastpitch. Their commitment to coaching and mentoring has had a profound impact on the players, instilling valuable skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Jason and Kelly’s hands-on approach to leadership, both on and off the field, sets an inspiring example for others in the community.

Tyler Bradbury: A Lifetime Commitment to Baseball

Tyler Bradbury’s connection to baseball runs deep. Growing up in a baseball family, Tyler was immersed in the sport from an early age. He started as a bat boy for his brother’s teams, played minor baseball throughout his childhood in Kingsville, and later went on to coach several teams. In the 1990s, Tyler became involved with coaching the High School baseball team before stepping into the role of head coach for a Mosquito team, where he achieved immediate success by winning an OBA championship in his first season.

After playing junior baseball with the Leamington Barons, Tyler returned to Kingsville, where he played an instrumental role in reviving the Senior men’s baseball team. Although the team eventually folded, Tyler’s dedication to the sport remained strong, and he later shifted to playing softball before turning his focus to coaching his children.

Tyler’s passion for coaching his children’s teams, particularly his son’s travel team, has been evident in his continued success. As head coach of his son’s Mosquito major team, Tyler led them to an OBA Championship in his second season. He has also been a driving force behind the development of younger players, coaching several teams throughout his son’s baseball career. Now, as he transitions to coaching his daughter’s girls fastpitch select team for the 2025 season, Tyler is excited for the new challenges and opportunities to mentor young athletes in the fastpitch arena.

Tyler’s dedication extends far beyond his coaching role. As a valued member of the KMBA, he has been a passionate advocate for the growth of the sport in Kingsville. Whether on the field or from the sidelines, Tyler’s dedication is evident—often found lingering at the diamonds, watching the games, and always eager to hear the details of out-of-town matches he watched through Game Changer. His commitment and support don’t go unnoticed, and it is with great appreciation that we honor him.

Celebrating Legacy and Commitment

In recognition of their extraordinary efforts, the Appreciation Award plaques for both Melo LLP and Tyler Bradbury will be proudly displayed at the Kingsville Arena complex.