Frisco RoughRiders named 2024 Keeper of The Game Team of the Year

The Frisco RoughRiders have been named the 2024 Keeper of The Game Team of the Year, the foundation announced Jan. 7 at its annual RP11 Strikes and Scholarships bowling event at Main Event in Frisco, Texas.

Accepting the award was RoughRiders General Manager Scott Burchett and mascot Deuce. Keeper of The Game Founder and former RoughRiders assistant coach James Vilade, Keeper of The Game Executive Director Bryan Hoctor and his family (wife Mary and sons, Ben and Riders Crew member Harrison) and Liberty High School Assistant Coach Easton Moore made the presentation.

The Keeper of The Game Team of the Year Award was created in 2020 to honor a baseball or softball team that displays outstanding passion for serving their local special needs community and supporting the Keeper of The Game Foundation during their season. The RoughRiders are the fifth winner of the award, joining Stephen F. Austin State baseball (2020), LHS baseball (2021), Lone Star High School softball (2022) and Reedy High School baseball (2023).

The RoughRiders, who are a Minor League Baseball team and Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, have had a huge hand from the foundation’s first day in 2014 in making Keeper of The Game what it is today. Riders Field is the home of Keeper of The Game programming, such as Out to the Ballgame (where local school’s special education departments can enjoy a baseball game) and Skills Clinics (where special needs athletes have access to the entire ballpark) and International Equipment Drives (where gently used baseball equipment is collected).

The RoughRiders helped Keeper of The Game with its largest donation at the time – three state-of-the art wheelchairs for Miracle League of Frisco athletes. Several players (including Pat Cantwell, Joey Gallo, Drew Robinson and Jake Skole) and members of the coaching staff showed up for the presentation.

The RoughRiders have also allowed presentations on the field during games (including Middle School Matchup sportsmanship awards and check presentations from national organizations). They have also invited numerous Keeper athletes to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

The number of players and staff members that have attended Keeper events in the DFW area and worn the foundation’s gear for the last 11 years is immeasurable.

Keeper of The Game Team of the Year
All-Time Winners

2024     Frisco RoughRiders
2023     Reedy High School Baseball (Frisco, Texas)
2022     Lone Star High School Softball (Frisco, Texas)
2021     Liberty High School Baseball (Frisco, Texas)
2020     Stephen F. Austin State University Baseball