The Reds and the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum presented by Dinsmore hosted a luncheon on Tuesday at Great American Ball Park to honor the winners of the 2023 Johnny Bench Awards, presented by MSA Sport.

The awards recognize the top collegiate Division I baseball and softball catchers in the country. Since expanding to Cincinnati in 2019, the awards also recognize the top high school baseball and softball catchers from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and West Virginia.

Nine of the 10 recipients attended Tuesday’s event in the Bally Sports Club at Great American Ball Park. They were joined by Reds president and chief operating officer Phil Castellini, vice president and general manager Nick Krall, executive director of the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum Rick Walls, and members of the Reds’ coaching staff. The event was emceed by former WCPO sports anchor Dennis Janson, with help from Reds broadcaster Tommy Thrall.

Representatives from MSA Sport were also in the audience. They were accompanied by other sponsors, including Modern Office Methods, Nike, the Castellini Foundation, H.C.S Foundation/Tom & Francie Hiltz, Robert and Jane Crotty, Joe and Judy Williams and David Haire.

To kick off the program, Castellini welcomed the group and explained the standards set in place following the awards’ move in 2019.

“This award started many years ago, and when it moved to Cincinnati, it expanded to the high school level and included girls’ softball. I am so happy we continue to have an emphasis on youth sports in everything we do. It is with the help and support of groups like those we have today that we can come and help celebrate youth successes and efforts in the form of this event.”

The guests mingled and enjoyed a meal before they were individually announced with their achievements recognized. Jonathan Fitz received his award for the top high school baseball catcher in Kentucky. A recent graduate from Covington Catholic High School, Fitz is local to the area and sees being recognized by his home team as a big honor.

“I’ve had season tickets at the Reds since I was a kid. I grew up coming to Reds games and watching Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips play, so it is really special to be honored in the same place,” Fitz said.

A first-team all-state catcher, Fitz ranked No. 1 in Kentucky’s class of 2023 catchers. He will continue his catching career at the University of San Diego in the fall.

Kinzie Hansen, honored as the top collegiate softball catcher, led her University of Oklahoma team to three straight national championships and brings her own set of impressive credentials. She left the younger recipients with a piece of advice as they continue their careers.

“Think about the horse races,” Hansen said. “Those horses wear blinders. You need to keep your blinders on, too. As you get older, going through the greatest years of your career, there are going to be a lot of distractions pulling you away from the path you worked so hard for. Keep your blinders on and remember why you are there.”

After answering a few questions, the student-athletes were presented their awards and took a group picture. After the luncheon, the players toured the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum and returned that night to be recognized in a special pregame ceremony before the Reds played the Giants.

The winners join a league of excellence that includes 2020 Olympic silver medalist Dejah Mulipola, 2019 No. 1 MLB Draft pick Adley Rutschman, 2020 No. 13 overall pick Patrick Bailey, 2021 No. 35 overall pick and current Reds Minor Leaguer Matheu Nelson, 2022 No. 11 overall pick Kevin Parada and many other athletes setting the standard in today’s game.