Berkley Dads' Club Presents Dave Barber Award

On a balmy summer evening, perfect for baseball, the Berkley Dads' Club awarded the Dave Barber Award on Thursday at .

Scholarship winner Michael Guirey and five other nominees were honored by Berkley Dads' Club president Sam Veltri during a Senior League Championship Series game.

The Dave Barber Award is given in honor of the Berkley Dads' Club player who died of leukemia in 1975 at age 14. The teen wasn't the best player, but was known for his sportsmanship and respect for his teammates, game officials and other teams, according to the Dads' Club website.

In his honor and to reward players who embody his spirit, the league gives one 16-year-old resident of the a $1,000 scholarship, to be used toward college or trade school, each year. The winner is selected by the six managers of the Berkley Dads' Club Senior League.

"We feel good about doing this," Veltri said.

The coaches were unanimous in choosing this year's winner, Michael Guirey, Senior League director Daniel Whitehouse said.

"He was very vocal. He was always trying to raise the team up. He was instrumental in a lot of rallies," Whitehouse said of Guirey, who also played junior varsity baseball at Shrine Catholic High School in Royal Oak. "He's very respected by his teammates, peers and his coaches."

The humble winner was all smiles Thursday night after receiving the award, saying quietly, "I'm so embarrassed," as well-wishers congratulated him.

The 2012 nominees included:

• Alec Sanom
• Michael Guirey
• Jeffrey Selmon
• Alex Hogan
• Alex Stone
• Tony Tenaglia

"It means a ton to be in the same category as Dave Barber and to be recognized by the managers as having the same qualities as Dave Barber," Guirey said.