As an organization, we love to get our community of players together. Each year we put on an annual awards banquet where we are able to enjoy a fun night together with our families. We also utilize this time to highlight stand out member’s from the year.

Highlights from Last Year

2024 Player of the Year Honorees

Top Gun Renegades 50AAA – Jim Nellis
Top Gun G-Force 50 AAA – Kenji Kosaka
Top Gun Diamonds 50+ Major – John Grondona
Top Gun Storm 55+ AAA – Ed Nunez
Top Gun Fury 60+ AAA – Nate Randolph
Top Gun Warriors 60+ Major – Tom Mott

Top Gun Olde Dawgs 70+ AA – John Cesena
Top Gun OTE 70 AAA – Jim Teeter
Top Gun D&K 70 AAA – Mark Purdy
Top Gun Olde Dawgs 75+ AAA – Olaf Olson
Top Gun Gold 80+ AAA – Ed Hawthorne
Top Gun Blue Angels 85+ Major – Gary Burtsell

Hall of Fame Inductees

Joel Hawk: A Visionary and Dedicated Leader

Stealth, and Fury—leaving his mark as a fierce competitor with more than 15 All-Tournament, World, and MVP selections. His versatility and skill on the field have been instrumental in the success of every team he has played for.

In 2019, he joined the Top Gun Leadership team as Secretary, where his efforts were instrumental in restructuring the club into a 501(c)(7) non-profit, ensuring long-term sustainability. His dedication as Tournament Director helped secure the organization’s financial stability, overseeing logistics and operations to keep Top Gun-hosted events running smoothly.

A retired U.S. Navy aerospace maintenance officer with 24 years of service, Joel’s leadership, strategic vision, and tireless commitment have strengthened the foundation of Top Gun Senior Softball, making an indelible impact on both its present and future.

John Failla: A Leader On and Off the Field

John’s impact on Top Gun Senior Softball spans more than twelve years as a player, coach, and mentor. He has played for and managed multiple teams, including Top Gun Thunder, Growlers, Storm, and Fury, building strong, cohesive teams with minimal turnover. His teams are consistently among the most competitive, regularly finishing near the top of tournament standings.

Despite being one of the best players on the field at any level—evidenced by multiple MVP awards, All-Tournament selections, and an outstanding .842 on-base percentage over 162 at-bats this year—John has always prioritized team success over personal accolades. Often passing up individual awards to recognize his teammates, he embodies the selflessness that defines true leadership. His ability to elevate those around him has been a driving force behind the sustained excellence of every team he has led.

Beyond the field, John’s contributions have been invaluable. He has served as an assistant to the board and sponsored teams. His generosity extends to Top Gun charities, where he has helped secure prizes and donations for events like the annual banquet. Additionally, John played a crucial role in developing the new Top Gun website, further solidifying his lasting impact on the organization. His dedication to team integrity, recruitment, and mentorship embodies the spirit of Top Gun Senior Softball.

2024 Player of the Year Honorees

Top Gun Renegades 50AAA – Jim Nellis
Top Gun G-Force 50 AAA – Kenji Kosaka
Top Gun Diamonds 50+ Major – John Grondona
Top Gun Storm 55+ AAA – Ed Nunez
Top Gun Fury 60+ AAA – Nate Randolph
Top Gun Warriors 60+ Major – Tom Mott
Top Gun Olde Dawgs 70+ AA – John Cesena
Top Gun OTE 70 AAA – Jim Teeter
Top Gun D&K 70 AAA – Mark Purdy
Top Gun Olde Dawgs 75+ AAA – Olaf Olson
Top Gun Gold 80+ AAA – Ed Hawthorne
Top Gun Blue Angels 85+ Major – Gary Burtsell