There was never a more perfect award for Joe Murphy.
Named in honor of his mentor, friend and hero, Murphy won the Bill Batewell Man of the Year award presented by the Suffolk County Baseball Coaches Association at their annual year-end dinner.
Murphy, a Sachem alum and former Sachem teacher and coach, is the head varsity baseball coach at Bellport High School. He was Batewell’s varsity assistant at Sachem High School for many years before the tandem went to Bellport together.
Batewell, one of the winningest high school baseball coaches in New York State history, led Sachem to two Suffolk County championships and 452 wins.
The Batewell Award is presented to the coach that displays professionalism, and sportsmanship towards opponents and umpires.