Gabriel Meder is 2021 Recipient of Bonn Kehrer Sportsmanship Award
By Julie Perine on June 04, 2021 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
Bonnheim David Kehrer was passionate about sports, especially baseball. He was an avid Pittsburgh Pirates fan and he played C-Ball through Bridgeport Little League. Several of his teammates advanced through the leagues – all the way to the Indian baseball team. They were seniors on the 2018 West Virginia Class AA championship team.
Bonn passed in May of 2007 at the age of 7, following complications from a birth defect. Since that time, the Bonn Kehrer Sportsmanship Award has been presented to a member of Bridgeport Little League. The award exemplifies not only sportsmanship, but also leadership and character.
This year’s award was presented May 25 at Bridgeport Recreation Complex. The recipient was 12-year-old Gabriel “Gabe” Meder, who plays catcher and third base for Bridgeport Physical Therapy. He is the son of Alex and Michelle Meder.
“We are very, very proud of Gabriel and I think what made him so happy was that 
his 
teammates recognized him as it was somewhat of a peer award,” Michelle Meder said. “He held in the tears until he got home. He understands the importance behind it and wants to make sure that he’s representing Bonn.”
his teammates recognized him as it was somewhat of a peer award,” Michelle Meder said. “He held in the tears until he got home. He understands the importance behind it and wants to make sure that he’s representing Bonn.”
The Kehrer family appreciates that very much.
"We do want to remember Bonn. He wasn’t here very long, but he touched a lot of lives in the way he carried himself and we want to pass that along," said his dad Al Kehrer. "Bonn always was the one to console someone who made a mistake, struck out or missed the ball. He would lift up his teammate. That’s really what it’s all about: Character."
Every year, each Little League manager nominates one of his players for the award and the Kehrer family selects a recipient.
There have been a couple exceptional athletes to win the award, but that’s not what it’s all about.
Through the years, the Kehrer family has kept in contact with award recipients; watching them become college graduates, business owners and professionals.
"It’s a blessing to see these kids grow up into young men; how they’ve progressed and what they have done. In my book, t’s all about raising upstanding young men in the community," Al Kehrer said.
Gabriel’s parents said they always instilled in him that character stands above accomplishments.
“You can be the smartest student in the classroom or the best athlete on the field, but who you are as a person and how you make others feel; that’s what’s most important,” Michelle Meder said. “He will often say that school is very difficult for him and he always tells us he wishes he was smarter or more popular. But we always tell him that kindness is his
superpower.”
superpower.”
Gabriel likes baseball, but he especially likes being part of a team, encouraging others and developing friendships.
The award is sponsored by the Kehrer family – parents Stacey and Albert, twin sister Joplin and brother Brody.
"We never thought in a million years that this would have such an impact on these kids. We just thought it was the right thing to do. At the time, it worked out great. We had so much support like you always do in this community," Al Kehrer said. "It’s pretty important to these kids. If you teach kids the right way, good things are going to come."
Editor's Note: Bonn is shown in the top picture and with his twin sister Joplin in the second photo. Pictured above/on cover are Gabriel Meder receiving award from Albert, Stacey, Joplin and Brody Kehrer. Also pictured are past award recipients Braedyn Yates, Carson Currey and Vincenzo Cava. Also present was past recipient Aaron Walden.Gabriel is also shown left and below.
