LAS VEGAS – The Professional Baseball Video Coordinators Association (PBVCA) has presented the 2008 Carl Hamilton Award of Excellence to Mark Topping, Video Coordinator for the Kansas City Royals. The ceremony was held on Wednesday, December 10th, during the annual PBVCA conference held in conjunction with the Baseball Winter Meetings at Bellagio

The award is given annually to the Major League Baseball Video Coordinator who has demonstrated superior work in the field of video coaching. Topping explained, “This is a tremendous honor and I am grateful to be recognized by my peers. PBVCA has become a great resource helping video coordinators contribute to their respective clubs’ success, and I am excited to be a part of it.”

Chris Fernandez, PBVCA President and Tampa Bay Rays Video Coordinator, believes Topping’s work has elevated PBVCA’s professional status. “Mark’s hard work and dedication has taken our organization to the next level. His commitment to advancing the trade of video coaching has helped every video department in Major League Baseball. Mark is tireless in his communication plans for the organization and is extremely deserving of this award.” The award is named in honor of Carl Hamilton, the Seattle Mariners Video Coordinator for the past nineteen years.

Entering his seventh season with the Royals, Topping oversees the day-to-day video coaching, helping the players and coaches with their game preparation. In addition, he is in charge of the Royals minor league and scouting video, fulfilling all video needs of the Baseball Operations Department. Topping co-founded PBVCA in 2004 and is serving as its Secretary and Treasurer.

PBVCA is comprised of Video Coordinators working in Major League Baseball. Our objective is to elevate standards among all Video Coordinators, facilitate the exchange of information and technical advancements in the field of video coaching, and raise awareness of the role that Video Coordinators play within professional baseball.