The “Heart and Soul” award was established in 2012 to honor Katy Ebersole for her many years of service to the Edenton Steamers. The Edenton Steamers, after being created by the Coastal Plain League, were league-run for the first two years of existence. Following the 1999 season the Community of Edenton purchased the team and Katy signed on as president of the newly formed Edenton Steamers, Inc.
With her signature on the dotted line, a 12-year stewardship began with Katy at the helm of the Edenton Steamers board of directors. While serving as President from 2000 until the completion of the 2011 season, she led the board, the general manager, various coaches, staff, volunteers and players to an unprecedented level of excellence in the Coastal Plain League. This includes two Petitt Cup Championships, 12 North Division titles, and a nine-year playoff streak that continues thru the 2012 season. Following the 2009 season, she spearheaded a fundraising rally to save the team she loves.
Through the years Katy showed her versatility and wore many hats for the Edenton Steamers., including the general manager hat when funding did not allow her to hire one, as well as the “Sam the Grand Slam Clam” hat on occasion when children needed a laugh.
Through her tenure as president, she continually strived to provide the players who wore the teal and black, the host families who provided housing, the staff on game day and the community at large with the highest quality baseball organization she possibly could. It was due to her clear vision of what the “best” was that the Steamers still have a team on the field today.
Katy truly became the heart and soul of the Edenton Steamers. She continually showed every person ever affiliated with the Steamers and the Edenton community how much she loved the Steamers with her ingenuity, hard work, and passion. Even after she was no longer the acting president of the Edenton Steamers, Katy continued to serve on the board of directors as treasurer and host family coordinator.
In fall 2014, at age 45, Katy was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme (brain cancer). For over two years, the Steamers family and the whole town of Edenton showered Katy with the same love and support she had always shown to them. For over two years, Katy fought her difficult battle with courage, optimism, and grace, until she passed away on November 6, 2016. Her memorial service was held on November 11, 2016, at Historic Hicks Field, with a “sellout crowd” in attendance to honor her. Katy’s presence will always be felt inside the ballpark.
The Katy Ebersole “Heart and Soul” Award, now a memorial award, is given out annually to the player that best exhibits the hard work and passion on the field that Katy exhibited through her many years as president of the Steamers.
Previous Winners
2024: Bryce Stephens, UTL, LaGrange College
2023: Geomar Santana, UTL, Chowan University
2022: Jeremiah Boyd, C, Middle Tennessee State University
2021: Daniel Rutherford, LHP/1B, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (FL)
2020: Shane Easter, INF/OF, Eastern Michigan University
2019: Ian Walters, 2B, Southern Illinois University
2018: TJ Wegmann, C, Binghamton University (NY)
2017: Nick Wegmann, LHP, Binghamton University (NY)
2016: Trey Hair, 2B, University of Evansville (IN)
2015: Evan Rogers, SS, Mars Hill University (NC)
2014: Manny Arciniega, RHP, Peru State College (NE)
2013: Nick Thompson, INF/OF, East Carolina University (NC)
2012: Wes Meadows, C/INF, Otterbein University (OH)
ONSL 
