DURHAM, N.C. – The Coastal Plain League (CPL) recognized this afternoon Wilson infielder AJ Jones as the winner of its Sportsmanship Award for the 2025 season.

The Sportsmanship Award is a recognition of outstanding character, respect, and integrity both on and off the field. Each CPL team was encouraged to select one player to nominate as a representative of their organization, highlighting that individual’s positive attitude, fair play, leadership, and dedication to the spirit of the game. Teams then voted on the player they felt best embodied these values during the season and is not only a good representative for their team, but also of the CPL.

“To be named the 2025 CPL Sportsmanship Award winner means everything to me,” said Jones. “I have always been taught to put others before yourself and put the team’s needs above my own. Every player wants to be the best, but being a good teammate leaves a much greater impression. Just to be considered for this award means the world to me. The whole Tobs organization exemplified this quality throughout the entire summer second to none. I’d like to thank the entire organization as well as the coaches at North Carolina A&T for molding me into the player and teammate I was (and am), as well as my family and my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!”

Among the adjectives used to describe AJ by his Tobs coach, Ted Bergquist, were “teammate”, “selfless”, and “leader”.

“AJ is the epitome of the word “teammate,” commented Bergquist. “His selfless drive for his teammates over himself towards the goal of winning, team growth, in-game execution, off field involvement is all unmatched in my 34 years in baseball. He’s the kid that will complete any task not covered or missed.”

Jones was notorious for helping set up BP and for leading the team on every tarp pull. He valued being a teammate and was always checking in on a new arrival to be sure they were comfortable and didn’t need anything. He was also the Tobs leader for their team prayer before games, and leading Wilson’s chapel group every Thursday.

“Being the leader of the infield while on the diamond or the leader of our dugout while not in the lineup, one constant from AJ is his 100% support, effort and energy for the well being of the team,” summarized Bergquist.

The 6-0, 200-pound infielder finished his senior season at North Carolina A&T before rejoining the Tobs for the summer. He started all 33 games for the Aggies, finishing with a .299 average with 28 runs scored and 23 RBIs. Prior to his stint with NC A&T, he was at Gardner-Webb in 2021 and 2022, and also played two summers with Princeton out of the Appalachian League.

In 2023, the Nashville, N.C., product made his way to Fleming Stadium to play for the Black and Gold. Over his three-summer career with the Tobs, he batted .226 with 39 runs scored, 31 RBIs, 10 doubles, and four home runs. He also drew 36 walks to go with 11 stolen bags.

“To be a Wilson Tob has been one of the best experiences of my playing career,” continued Jones. “Growing up right outside of Wilson, I understand the influence and love for the Tobs in the community. Each player and coach bought into making the 2025 season meaningful for the entire community and it showed by the team-first baseball we played each and every day. Winning the Petitt Cup was just the icing on the cake. It was an absolute pleasure to be a Tob! WAPC!”

And no doubt will Jones be remembered for his time in Wilson and in the CPL, not just as a player, but as a person.

“AJ was the heart and soul of our team,” said Tobs General Manager Mike Bell. “The love that he has for not only baseball, but for his teammates as well goes above and beyond what you normally ask from a ballplayer. Whether he was playing or not, he was always active and doing whatever was necessary to make each player better and help our team be successful. I wish he had another year of eligibility so we could have him back.”

About Coastal Plain League:
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier and most innovative summer collegiate baseball league. The CPL is currently comprised of 15 franchises playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. To date, the CPL has had over 1,800 alumni drafted, and 201 alums make their Major League debut. Most notable alumni include Justin Verlander, Ryan Zimmerman, Mark Reynolds, Kevin Youkilis, Chris Taylor, Alec Bohm, Jake Cave, Chas McCormick and NFL Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok @CPLBaseball.

About Capitol Broadcasting Company:
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAZ-TV, WRAL-FM, WRAL-HD2, WNGT-CD, WCMC-FM, WCMC-HD1, WDNC-AM, WCMC-HD2, WCMC-HD3, WCLY-AM, WCMC-HD4, Microspace, WRAL Digital and Wolfpack Sports Properties (a joint venture with Learfield) in Raleigh, NC; WILM-TV, WILT-LD and Sunrise Broadcasting in Wilmington, NC; The Durham Bulls Baseball Club, Bull City Hospitality and Coastal Plain League in Durham, NC; The Holly Springs Salamanders in Holly Springs, NC; the American Underground startup hub in Durham, NC; and real estate interests including the American Tobacco Historic District in Durham, NC, and Rocky Mount Mills in Rocky Mount, NC.Fo