There couldn’t have been anyone more deserving of the Manatee Young Professionals Bright Beginnings Award than Karena Ballard.
On April 16 at The Elia Event Venue in Palmetto, the 2026 MYP Gala and Awards presentation sponsored by the Manatee County Chamber of Commerce and its Manatee Young Professionals program recognized those who demonstrate initiative and excellence in their careers.
Ballard, the Bradenton Marauders’ coordinator of fan and community engagement, was surprised at being selected for the award.
Craig (Craig Warzecha – Marauders general manager) and Brian (Brian Spradlin – Marauders' manager of marketing and game presentation) accompanied Ballard to the gala.
“They were excited for me,” Ballard said on Thursday, of those who have positioned her for success. “I didn’t think I was going to be selected. I had nothing prepared to say.”
Ballard’s voice throughout the Marauders’ community says all that needs to be heard. This past year, she had been engaged in more than 150 events representing the Marauders and Pirates, usually with Bradenton’s baseball mascot Marty at Ballard’s side.
“It’s nice to represent God, myself, the Marauders, and Pirates. I just want to thank everyone who believes in me and who allows me to do for our community. When I started working in sports, my goal was to have the fans feel supported.”
Chances are, anyone who has attended a Marauders home game or a Pittsburgh Pirates spring training game over the past two seasons has seen Ballard in action. She is everywhere in LECOM Park. Wherever assistance is needed, Ballard responds quickly. Then, there’s that ever-lasting smile on her face that is inviting to ticket holders. Need something inside the ballpark; fans have learned that Ballard is approachable to have their questions answered.
“My family has always been super, duper supportive of what I’ve done. It’s nice to be recognized for doing what I believe is making a difference,” Ballard explains.
Ballard attributes her outgoing, highly enthusiastic personality to that of her grandmother back in Virginia. Labeling her grandmother a social butterfly; a person who always knew somebody wherever they went, is how Ballard sees herself. When as a young child Ballard’s mother, who was in the military, went on deployment, it was her grandmother that raised her. And while attending Christian schools, volunteerism was a requirement. This early exposure to giving back has stuck with Ballard in her professional life.
“I’ve always loved doing things for other people since I was a little girl,” Ballard says.
The Bright Beginnings Award is displayed prominently at Ballard’s home. On a table in her living room, next to a mini-Christmas tree and a nutcracker, sits the award. When people approach Ballard and thank her for what she does, and they recognize how hard she is working to represent the organization, it just adds more fuel to her desire to give back to those most in need.
During the grind of a long baseball season, and when an employee may think what they are doing doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things, compliments can make a world of difference in an employee's drive to be at their best. Ballard unconditionally believes what she does on behalf of the Marauders is appreciated.
Already stacked with customer-friendly staff at LECOM Park for events, to have the luxury to be able to point to one employee, seen as the designated helper, such as Ballard, is a win-win for the Marauders and Pirates in Southwest Florida.
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