Evansville Otters Pitcher Wins Frontier League Citizenship Honor

If the Evansville Otters advancing to the 2026 Frontier League playoffs wasn’t enough good news for you, then this announcement should do it.

Otters Player Receives League-Wide Honor

Otters pitcher Nolan Thebiay has been named the recipient of the 2026 Fran Riordan Citizenship Award – one of the most meaningful honors in the entire Frontier League. The award goes each year to the player who best represents outstanding citizenship, both on the field and in the community, and this year that player wears an Otters uniform. If you've been paying attention, there is a good chance you have seen what Nolan has been up to around town this season – and it’s all good.

Why Winning This Award Means So Much

Winning this particular award is extra special because it's not voted on by fans or decided by stats. Nolan was chosen by general managers, coaches, and media members from across the whole Frontier League, which says a lot. It means his reputation for being a genuinely good guy is known beyond Bosse Field.

Making an Impact Around Evansville

And when you look at where Thebiay has spent his time this season, it's easy to see why. It didn’t matter if it was an off-day or a game day — he was out there in the community. He visited kids at Peyton Manning Children's Hospital, spent time at the Vanderburgh Humane Society, stopped by Mesker Park Zoo, mentored at the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville, supported our local Veterans Affairs office, and pitched in at the U.S. Nike Camp.

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Thebiay is one of just four Otters players to win this award. L.J. Jones won it last season, Tyler Beardsley won back in 2019, and David Griffin won all the way back in 2003.