Benchmark of leadership

Gila ridge baseball player wins arizona diamondbacks’ new Game Changers Program award

Digging through the Gila Ridge baseball stat sheet, it’ll take some effort to locate Wiley Caldwell’s name. However, his contributions to the Hawks are in some ways more impactful than what any box score displays.

The junior registered just five plate appearances and three official atbats. Safe to say, on the field, Caldwell wasn’t an integral component in the Hawks finishing 13-5 in Arizona Interscholastic Association play in 2021.

But Caldwell managed to provide an impact in other areas for the Hawks, despite being in the dugout for most of the innings. He was the heart and soul for Gila Ridge and took pride in establishing himself as a leader.

Caldwell’s presence on the field – or lack thereof – didn’t stop head coach James Kuzniak from nominating him for the Arizona Diamondbacks’ new Game Changers Program award for players. The junior was recently notified he will be honored Friday night at the Diamondbacks game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

“I was pretty stoked,” Caldwell said when he received the honor. “And I was surprised. The biggest contribution I make doesn’t show up in the box

score. It’s stuff that’s intangible. Leadership and communication are huge aspects of every successful team and that’s what I like to bring to the table.”

“It’s nice being recognized because that’s what I put so much effort into.”

According to the Diamondbacks’ website, each month during the 2021 season, the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, in partnership with the Positive Coaching Alliance and Steward Health, will recognize a coach and a

student athlete that exemplifies positivity, winning, leadership, sportsmanship, fair play, healthy living, respect and integrity.

Caldwell checks all of those boxes.

And Kuzniak understands the importance of having a “glue guy” in the dugout. Caldwell exemplifies a role player that grinds day in and day out. He’s the prototypical first guy in and last guy out.

“Having that chemistry guy is huge,” Kuzniak said

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