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.

The Professional Baseball Video Coordinators Association (PBVCA) presented the 2007 Pioneer Award to Hall of Fame inductee Tony Gwynn at the 2007 PBVCA Meetings — held in conjunction with the Baseball Winter Meetings in Nashville.

Mr. Gwynn, who was the keynote speaker at this year’s PBVCA Meetings, received the award at 3 PM on Wednesday, December 5 in the Lincoln E meeting room at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. His remarks to the Video Coordinators followed the award presentation.

This is the first time PBVCA has selected a recipient for the Pioneer Award. Mr. Gwynn, Head Baseball Coach at San Diego State, was selected due to his groundbreaking use of video, for both mechanical analysis and scouting his opponents, throughout his Major League Baseball career.

“On behalf of PBVCA, this is a well-deserved honor for a man who has basically led the way in using video in baseball,” said PBVCA President and Tampa Bay Devil Rays Video Coordinator Chris Fernandez. “Because of Mr. Gwynn’s foresight years ago, we as video coordinators are in the position where we are today and are very grateful to him because of that.”

Formed in December 2004, PBVCA is comprised of Video Coordinators from throughout 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.

The Professional Baseball Video Coordinators Association (PBVCA) presented the 2006 Carl Hamilton Award of Excellence to Mike Hamilton and Brian Jones, Video Coordinators for the Colorado Rockies. The ceremony was held Thursday, December 7, 2006 at the Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando.

The award is given annually to the Video Coordinators who have demonstrated superior work in the field of video coaching. Hamilton and Jones developed an exceptional process for sharing video with players, coaches and front office staff using the iPod Video. The award is named in honor of Mike Hamilton’s father, Carl Hamilton, the Seattle Mariners Video Coordinator for the past seventeen years.

“I am very honored to receive this award,” said Mike Hamilton, “To have been voted for by your peers makes it special, and that the award has been named after my father makes it something I will cherish forever.” The 2006 season was Hamilton’s seventh season as Rockies Video Coordinator.

Jones added, “Being recognized by others in your profession is the most meaningful honor one could receive. I am excited about the advances of the PBVCA as a way of sharing new ideas and technologies throughout baseball.” Jones recently completed his fifth season as Rockies Assistant Video Coordinator.

Formed in December 2004, PBVCA is comprised of Video Coordinators from throughout 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.

PBVCA President Bob Chester, who is the manager of baseball video operations for the
Cleveland Indians, said that Hamilton was an easy choice to receive this honor because of “his commitment, years of service, and most importantly, his positive contributions to the role of video coordinator in Major League Baseball.” Chester says Hamilton first suggested that video coordinators should form an association to facilitate the exchange of ideas and technological advancements in the industry.

The association was formed in 2004 at the MLB Winter Meetings in Anaheim.  The association’s goals are to elevate professional standards among professional baseball video coordinators; facilitate the exchange of information and technological innovations; advance ethical procedures and quality techniques.

Hamilton joined the Seattle Mariners in 1990 as the team’s video coordinator.  He also served for 10 years as the video coordinator for the Texas Rangers.  Hamilton records all Mariners games and many other Major League games, and videotapes players during Spring Training and the regular season for scouting and training purposes.  He also produces instructional, motivational, training and highlight videos for all levels of the Mariners organization.

Prior to his 27-year career in baseball, Hamilton was a police officer, private security officer and a Marine Corps veteran.  He resides in Kent, WA, with his wife Betty Lou.  They have four adult children and seven grandchildren.  Hamilton’s son Mike is the video coordinator for the Colorado Rockies.