Malibu resident Wildan Levitt experienced a dream come true Saturday night when he stood on the podium and presented several awards at the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation Dinner at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel.
Levitt, 11, was chosen to represent Malibu Little League at the event based on the character and attitude he displayed playing on the Oakland A’s Little League team this past season.
At the dinner, Levitt proudly stood onstage in front of the 1,500 baseball fans in attendance and presented trophies to baseball and entertainment icons. First, Levitt met Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig, and presented the Allan H. “Bud” Selig Executive Leadership Award to Bill Bartholomay of the Atlanta Braves. Next, Levitt handed broadcasting icon and diehard baseball fan Larry King the In the Spirit of the Game Award. Levitt also presented renowned baseball scout Joe DiCarlo with the Special Recognition in Scouting Award.
“It was very fun,” said Levitt, who considers New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez his favorite player. “I was kind of nervous, but it was fun.”
The Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation Dinner raises money for professional baseball scouts who have fallen on hard times. Although baseball scouting has grown from being nearly nonexistent in the 1950s, when Dodgers legend “Sweet Lou” Johnson said he had little interaction with scouts, to its present, extensive form, scouts remain overlooked and under-compensated.
“It’s a very worthy cause,” said Hall of Fame outfielder Dave Winfield, who was honored with the Scout’s Dream Award. “There are a lot of scouts who never make the same money as the baseball professionals. They are kind of the forgotten group.”
Along with Winfield, Levitt was able to mingle with athletes who included Hall of Famers Tommy Lasorda, Tony Gwynn, George Brett, and Rod Carew, as well as Cy Young award winners Barry Zito and Brett Saberhagen. The star-studded event also boasted the World’s Largest Auction of Memorabilia, with pieces autographed by Babe Ruth and signatures of every president since 1900.
Overall, Levitt said, it was a night “I will never forget.”