ROCKLAND, Mass. (August 22, 2025) — Beginning its series of annual award announcements to celebrate the 2025 season, the Futures League is proud to recognize this year’s recipients of the Adam Keenan Sportsmanship & Scholarship Award.
This prestigious annual award is bestowed upon the Futures League players who exemplify the outstanding attitude, character and sportsmanship that is synonymous with Adam Keenan’s legacy. Adam was a former Franklin Pierce University and UMass Lowell player who also played for the former Seacoast Mavericks.
On June 6, 2011, Adam passed away suddenly. He had a rare, undiagnosed heart condition known as Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy or ARVC. He was an amazing individual that exhibited sportsmanship, enthusiasm, and passion for the game of baseball, and his legacy lives on through the Adam Keenan Foundation and this annual award.
The Adam Keenan Sportsmanship & Scholarship Award was established in 2011 following Keenan’s passing. Initially given to one singular winner, 2025 is the sixth straight year in which a player from each of the league’s franchises was selected to receive the honor.
James Benestad, Nashua Silver Knights, Endicott College
Brennan Staubley, New Britain Bees, Southern Connecticut State University
Gavin O’Brien, Norwich Sea Unicorns, University of Massachusetts
Adam Schwartz, Vermont Lake Monsters, Colby College
Josh Frometa, Westfield Starfires, American International College
Josh Fischer, Worcester Bravehearts, Wheaton College
The 2025 season not only marked the 15th in Futures League history, but a milestone in the history of this special award. Frometa and Fischer have become the first-ever players to earn the award more than once from their respective teams.
Based in the Merrimack Valley, the Adam Keenan Foundation’s mission is to ensure that athletic facilities and public spaces have an AED available. The Futures League has raised money for the Adam Keenan Foundation and the scholarship award in various ways through the years, including Adam Keenan Legacy Golf Tournaments and 50-50 raffles at every league ballpark.
For the latest news and information on the Futures League throughout the year, visit thefuturesleague.com and follow the league’s Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram pages.