When Zak Blair set out for the Cape Cod Baseball League back in June, he didn’t express the goal of being the league’s MVP. He didn’t talk of being an all-star. He really only wanted to be recognized for working hard and playing the game the way it was meant to be played.

In that regard, he did exactly as he set out to do.

Blair, the son of David and Carole Blair, received the Daniel J. Silva Sportsmanship Award before his Yarmouth-Dennis (Mass.) Red Sox played the Chatham Anglers in a playoff game Thursday.

“I came up here just to represent the Mercyhurst family, myself and my family and loved ones the right way. I wanted to show people how to play the right way and give 100 percent all the time and conduct myself accordingly on and off the field.

“That’s what the award about. It’s sort of a hustle award. Like I said, that’s what I wanted to be. I wanted to work hard and become a better all-around person on anf off the field. I told you I wanted to be the hardest worker ever to play in this league and I think this represents that.”

Blair had no idea he was going to receive the award. It was nearly game time and he was focused on that. Then, he received quite a surprise.

“It was definitely a shock,” he said. “I didn’t know about it. It was our first playoff game and I see two guys walk onto the field with a plaque and a microphone. I was like, ‘What are these guys doing? We have a playoff game to win. I had my glove on and was ready to walk onto the field.’

“Then the PA guy said to welcome the Cape Cod League commisioner and the head of the umpire’s association. It’s award given every year. I said, ‘Man, you’ve got to be kidding me.’”   

The award, in fact, is coveted and given each season to a player who emplifies sportsmanship on and off the diamond as chosen by the league’s umpiring staff.

The impact Blair made in the CCBL can be caught in the way he was introduced prior to the award.

“They started off saying...” Blair said. “This isn’t verbatim, but it’s to this tune, ‘You don’t have to be 6-6. You have have to be a top prospect in this game. You don’t have to go to a top Division I program to play in the Cape Cod League. This award represents hard work, dedication and hustle. This person played the game the way is supposed to be played. He respects himself, his teammates, the coaches, the umpires and the game. We’d like to give this award to Zak Blair of Mercyhurst.’ ”  

All of a sudden, the start of the game being delayed a few minutes wasn’t such a big deal.

“I dropped my glove and was all smiles,” Blair said. “I shook hands with everybody and took pictures. It wasn’t expected. It’s just awesome. I can’t think of any other word. It’s just awesome. It’s really humbling. You would think it could make someone arrogant.

“It’s just awesome. It’s really humbling. I can’t think of anything else to say right now. I have to keep working hard. I hope there are many more awards coming in the future. I’ll keep working hard and maybe there be.”

The 22-year-old Blair played all 44 regular-season games, finishing with the league’s seventh-best batting average (.338), while collecting 50 hits, including five doubles, a triple, two homers and 20 RBI. He also stole eight bases for the Red Sox, who finished second in the East Division standings.

For a time in June, Blair was leading all Cape Cod League hitters with a .402 batting average, earning him a start at second base for the East All-Stars. He was the only player from a Division II school to start for either squad.

“This summer’s been surreal,” the former Jefferson star said. “I never thought any of this would happen.

“So many great things have happened. This is a dream. It’s my dream. My dream is coming true, slowly, but surely. I’m not saying I’ve made it yet, I’m not counting my chickens. There are plenty more hours in in the weight room. There are plenty more hours in the cage hitting. There are plenty more hours taking ground balls. I’m really thankful to be in this situation. I’m truly blessed.”

Not bad for the little boy who used to take a Wiffle ball bat and hit the apples out of his grandfather’s yard in Austinburg.

“I was young,” he said. “I was like four years old. I’d throw the apples up and hit them to the back field. I’d do it for hours. (My grandparents, Ed and Carole Nabozny) would be right out there with me.

“My grandmother would announce my name and make the sound of a crowd. It’s just something they did. My whole family has been supportive, and so had my girlfriend and her family. She’s been supportive of everything I’ve done. My parents have supported me. There’s my dad’s mom, without her there’s no way I’d be here. As I’ve said over and over again, I am so blessed to have my family. Without them, none of this would ever be possible.”

Ettinger is a freelance writer from Ashtabula.