Brock Thompson Chosen for 2026 Bonn Kehrer Award
By Julie Perine on June 12, 2026
Catcher and first baseman for City Construction, Brock Thompson has been chosen as the recipient of the 2026 Bonn Kehrer
Sportsmanship Award. The award is presented annually to a 12-year-old Bridgeport Little League athlete who exemplifies outstanding sportsmanship and leadership. The recognition has taken place for 19 years to honor former Little Leaguer Bonn Kehrer, who died at age seven after suffering complications of a birth defect.
Sportsmanship Award. The award is presented annually to a 12-year-old Bridgeport Little League athlete who exemplifies outstanding sportsmanship and leadership. The recognition has taken place for 19 years to honor former Little Leaguer Bonn Kehrer, who died at age seven after suffering complications of a birth defect.
“We pay tribute to him because of his love for baseball,” said his dad, Al Kehrer. “This is who Bonn was to other people and it’s really very rewarding for these young men to look forward to this award and to know that it’s about more than baseball.”
Brock is an upcoming 7th grader at Bridgeport Middle School. In addition to playing video games with his friends, he loves everything about baseball – including collecting baseball cards and cheering on his favorite player, Konnor Griffin of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“But the most important things in my life are God, my dad, mom and sister and then friends and baseball,” he said.
He has had his eye on the Bonn Kehrer award for some time.
“It was always a dream of mine to win this award ever since I was in the major division and seen Ryder (Beaston) and Collin (Benson) win it. I felt honored to win because there are a lot of good kids in my age division, so I was excited when I heard my name,” Brock said.
The Little League managers decide upon the recipient, Kehrer said.
“Every person I have talked to said Brock was the best pick for the award. He’s a humble young man and just a terrific kid,” he said. “Really, every year, such amazing young men have been chosen and for that we are so thankful.”
Brock’s mother Kaitlynn Thompson said she and her husband Aaron were so happy to learn that Brock had won this award.
“It wasn’t just a win for him, I felt like it was a win for my husband & I also,” she said. “Raising him and his sister (Berkley) is the most important job we have. We pray when they go into society, they remember what they were taught and make good decision along the way.”
Thompson said Brock is always smiling or laughing, and he is the loudest kid cheering in the dugout.
“What makes him special is that he cheers for everyone even when he may not be playing his best,” she said. “Having a good attitude and treating people with kindness is really what we instill in him. I hope he always remembers being a good human is what will make him unforgettable.”
Kehrer said it is amazing to look back at past winners of the award.
“They are husbands, dads, business owners and teachers,” he said. “One is even a Little League umpire. It’s really impressive the way these young boys turned into men.”
Another past winner of the Bonn Kehrer Award is West Virginia University’s Ben McDougal, who plays today at the Men’s College World Series in Omama, Nebraska.
The entire list is 2025 Collin Benson, 2024 Ryder Beaston, 2023 George Whitehair, 2022 Cole Courtney, 2021 Gabriel Meder, 2020 Braedyn Yates, 2019 Carson Currey, 2018 Andrew Bell, 2017 Ben McDougal, 2016 Christopher Harbert, 2015 Quintin Reep, 2014 Trent Tucker, 2013 Logan Crayton and Vincenzo Cava, 2012 Christian Lehosit, 2011 Aaron Walden, 2010 Todd Antill, 2009 Tristan Knapp, and 2008 Anthony Belcastro.
“Bridgeport is known as a football town, but we crank out baseball players too – and really upstanding young men,” Kehrer said.
The Kehrer family, which also includes Bonn’s mom Stacey and siblings Joplin and Brody, are proud to present the award annually.
