Amarianna Hill announced as Jennie Finch Empowerment Award winner

In June, several talented young softball players attended MLB’s Softball Elite Development Invitational at the historic Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Fla.

At the end of each softball event, one girl is named the winner of the Jennie Finch Empowerment Award, presented by Arm & Hammer -- an honor designed to recognize young softball players who demonstrate qualities such as leadership and integrity.

The latest winner, Amarianna Hill, of the Texas Rangers Youth Academy, received the prize at the EDI.

Hill, age 16, is a dedicated student at North Fortney High School. At the Rangers Academy, Hill has been described as a great teammate who helps cultivate a positive environment. She has been known to lead through her positive attitude and willingness to uplift others and is known for her excellent coachability.

Fellow Softball Elite Development Invitational attendees described Hill as being “one of the best teammates you will ever meet” and as someone who puts in the work and cheers for others regardless of who is watching.

“When I met Mari I knew there was something different about her, just the way that she carries herself and helps other people," said teammate Kinley Holloway. "It’s just amazing, I expect to see Mari in the future being the one that is going to lead everybody else in pursuing her dreams because she deserves nothing less from just the type of person she is and type of friend she is.”

Off the field, Hill is actively involved in serving her community through a variety of volunteer efforts. Hill participates in Angel Tree, volunteers during Fortney ISD Elementary School Field Days, assists with Fortney ISD Special Olympic Events, participates in North Fortney community clean-up initiatives, and supports local families through community service and home projects during the holiday season.

Started in 2019 and now in its eighth year, the Jennie Finch Empowerment Award honors four girls each season who represent one of the following MLB softball-based events: Softball Breakthrough Series, Jennie Finch All-Star Classic, Elite Development Invitational and the RBI World Series.

Recipients of the prize receive a $10,000 scholarship from Arm & Hammer for college. Hill and other award recipients from MLB’s youth events will be honored on the field at the World Series.

The award was presented to Hill by former UCLA National Softball Champion and two-time Olympian Natasha Watley.

After the official presentation, Hill called her mother to give her the good news: “And I won it for being myself, for cheering for people, and just being me.”

“We always say be yourself, it’s the most important thing,” her mother responded. “You just going out there doing that is amazing and I'm glad you got rewarded for it. You do this every single time you step on the field.”

When selecting the winner of this award at each event, players are evaluated on how well they demonstrate powerful characteristics such as leadership, motivation, commitment, humility and integrity. Clearly, Hill checked all these boxes.

“I feel like when I’m talking on the field or even just cheering my team on and telling them we need to do this or like you did a great job there, I feel like that demonstrates leadership,” Hill said. "It's not about the mistakes, it's not about what happens, it's about the relationships you make, the love that you have and the love that we all share when we're on the field together.”