CARY, N.C. - USA Baseball and USA Baseball Sports Properties within Learfield, the media and technology company powering athletics, today announced an extension of its partnership with Chinook Seedery, The Official Sunflower Seed Supplier of USA Baseball. Beginning in 2024, Chinook will serve as the presenting sponsor of USA Baseball’s Golden Spikes Award, which annually honors the top amateur baseball player in the nation.
This addition to the multi-year relationship will run through 2028, which will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Golden Spikes Award. The award is given each year to the player who best exhibits exceptional on-field ability and exemplary sportsmanship.
“This extension of our partnership with Chinook Seedery is an exciting step in promoting the most prestigious award in amateur baseball,” said USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO Paul Seiler. “Chinook’s mission to partner with high-character athletes who are committed to excellence aligns perfectly with the values we look for in the process of identifying the winner of the Golden Spikes Award each year. I can’t think of a better organization to serve as the presenting sponsor for this award.”
As a premier partner of the organization, Chinook will continue to supply USA Baseball’s national teams and national team development programs with sunflower seeds. Additionally, USA Baseball and Chinook Seedery will later collaborate on a special sunflower seed flavor.
“Chinook Seedery is committed to partnering with the best of the best,” said Chinook Founder and Chief Seed Enthusiast Mark Pettyjohn. “Our existing partnerships with Bobby Witt Jr. and USA Baseball have aligned our brand with high-character athletes who are committed to excellence. Team Chinook is excited and proud to further this vision by becoming the presenting sponsor of the Golden Spikes Award. This is a dream come true for our organization.”
The 2024 Golden Spikes Award winner will be announced on June 22 at 7:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. CT) on ESPN ahead of Game 1 of the College World Series finals. More information is available on the award’s website at GoldenSpikesAward.com.
Launched in 2020, USA Baseball Sports Properties within Learfield is dedicated to representing USA Baseball by developing and managing sponsor relationships with brands looking to align with USA Baseball and its events and programming.
