Blake Fields Named 2025 David Eckstein Sportsmanship Award Winner

SANFORD Fla.- The Florida Collegiate Summer League named Orlando's Blake Fields as the 2025 winner of the David Eckstein Sportsmanship Award, as announced by the League office on Tuesday. Fields is the first Snapper to ever win the award, and one of the youngest winners of the award in league history as an incoming freshman to the University of Houston.

One player from each of the six teams in the league was nominated by their coach for the award. Criteria include performance on the field, respect for the game, umpires, and opposing players, a willingness to work hard, and a demonstration of high moral character. 

As a testament to the high character across the Florida League, each of the past four David Eckstein Sportsmanship Award award winners have represented four different FCSL franchises - Orlando in 2025, Winter Garden in 2024, DeLand in 2023, and Leesburg in 2022. 

Orlando Snappers head coach Terry Abbott lauded Fields in his nomination for the outfielder, referring to him as the "ultimate baseball player."

"He is the ultimate teammate," Abbott said. "He is willing to play anywhere for the benefit of the team; he comes to play everyday, does not take pitches off nor outs or games. 

Abbott also relayed a story that Fields would collect the uniforms of several of his teammates to wash and dry them prior to contests, and added that he never heard a complaint or excuse from his star outfielder. Fields proved to be a mainstay in the lineup for the Florida League champions, with his contributions felt both on and off the field.

Fields had a whirlwind summer, starting with helping The First Academy to an FHSAA state championship at the end of the May. The Orlando native then was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2025 MLB Draft, and finished his summer by helping the Snappers to their second-ever Whiting Cup. In 23 games, Fields hit .387, driving in 13 runs and scoring 18 more.

The Florida League congratulates Fields, as well as all players who were put forth by their respective teams, on being tremendous representatives of their schools and their Florida League teams during the 2025 season.

This week, the Florida League will be unveiling our yearly award winners. The schedule of awards is as follows:
Monday: Coach of the Year- Terry Abbott
Tuesday: David Eckstein Sportsmanship Award- Blake Fields
Wednesday: Reliever of the Year
Thursday: Player of the Year
Friday: Cy Young Award
Saturday: All-Florida League
Sunday: Randy Harvey Umpire of the Year