University of Louisville senior catcher Jeff Arnold was one of 53 catchers named to the official watch list for the 2010 Coleman Company Johnny Bench Award delivered by Papa John's Pizza. The Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission made the announcement on Monday (March 1). The award is given annually to the top NCAA Division I collegiate catcher.
The watch list will be narrowed down to 10 semifinalists that will be announced May 19, 2010. The finalists will then be announced June 2, 2010, prior to NCAA Regional action and the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. A final vote among the national committee will occur during the College World Series and the winner will be announced July 1, 2010.
Arnold is hitting .304 with three RBI and five runs scored in 2010 for the unbeaten and No. 8-ranked Louisville baseball team. A co-captain for the Cardinals this season, Arnold is a .286 career hitter with five home runs and 70 RBI. A Louisville native, Arnold is the only player on the 2010 roster to have lettered on each of Louisville’s three straight NCAA Regional squads from 2007-09.
The Cardinals will open a five-game homestand at Jim Patterson Stadium on Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET against Evansville and admission is free.
