Feb. 18, 2010

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - On the eve of Opening Day, University of Tennessee junior Cody Hawn was able to sneak in one more preseason award, as he was named to the 33rd annual Golden Spikes Award Watch List presented by USA Baseball and sponsored by Major League Baseball.

The watch list features 50 of the nation's top amateur talents, and will be a "rolling" list to ensure that athletes can play themselves into consideration for the Golden Spikes Award, to be presented live on Tuesday, July 13, at the 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star FanFest in Anaheim, Calif., to the individual determined to be the top amateur baseball player in the country.

On Tuesday, June 1, USA Baseball officials will cut the watch list of players to 30 names. The final list of 30 will then be sent to a voting body consisting of select professional baseball personnel, past USA Baseball National Team coaches, select members of the media, former USA Baseball sports information directors and current USA Baseball staff - close to 150 voters in total.

Fan voting will once again be a part of the Golden Spikes Award in 2010. June 1 will also mark the day when college baseball fans from across the country will be able to vote for their favorite player for the Golden Spikes Award on GoldenSpikesAward.com. As part of this selection process all voters will be asked to choose five players from the list of 30 names. On Tuesday, June 8, USA Baseball will announce the five finalists and voting will once again commence that same day.

The 2010 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award will be presented nationally July 13 on an award show via live telecast from Anaheim on GoldenSpikesAward.com, USABaseball.com and MLB.com in conjunction with All-Star FanFest.

Past winners of the Golden Spikes Award include Terry Francona (1980), Will Clark (1985), Robin Ventura (1988), Jason Varitek (1994), J.D. Drew (1997), Mark Prior (2001), Jered Weaver (2004), Tim Lincecum (2006), David Price (2007), Buster Posey (2008) and last year's winner, Stephen Strasburg.

The Volunteers will open the 2010 campaign at home with a three-game series against Xavier set to take place Feb. 19-21 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville.

2010 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award Important Dates
• Today - 50-man watch list released, shaped by USA Baseball officials, advisors and college SIDs
• Tuesday, June 1 - 30 semifinalists announced, selected by USA Baseball officials, semifinalist voting begins, voters to select five
• Friday, June 4 - Deadline for finalist votes, 5:00 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, June 8 - Five finalists announced, finalist voting begins, voters to select one
• Friday, June 18 - Deadline for winner votes, 5:00 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, July 13 - Golden Spikes Award presentation live at All-Star FanFest in Anaheim