American Water Heaters announced that Tom Ditchfield, executive vice president at Wholesale Plumbing Supply in St. Charles, Mo., is the winner of the Fantasy League Baseball Competition, part of the American Water Heaters baseball-themed marketing program.

American Water Heaters announced that Tom Ditchfield, executive vice president at Wholesale Plumbing Supply in St. Charles, Mo., is the winner of the Fantasy League Baseball Competition, part of the American Water Heaters baseball-themed marketing program. His prize is an all-expense paid trip to Major League Baseball’s 2009 spring training in Florida.

The Fantasy League Baseball Competition was a weekly online challenge in which participants chose the teams they believed would hit the most home runs each week. Points were awarded based on the team’s performance throughout that week. 

“We had almost 450 active players on the Fantasy League Baseball Competition,” said Jason Rowell, American brand manager. “Tom has been a supporter of our company for a long time and we are excited to give him the experience of a lifetime as a way to say thank-you.”

Ditchfield will receive an all-expenses paid trip for two to spring training next year. He had the opportunity to pick between Arizona or Florida to attend training, and chose Florida due to his undying dedication to the St. Louis Cardinals.

“I almost didn’t believe it when they told me I had won,” Ditchfield said. “As an avid St. Louis cardinals fan, it has always been my dream to attend spring training.” 

First runner-up was awarded to Fred Baker from Webb Supply in Cleveland, Ohio. Fred won a bat autographed by Cal Ripken Jr. Second runner-up was awarded to Fred Michaels from Phoenix Supply in Salina, Kan. Fred received a bat autographed by Ken Griffey Jr. 

American Water Heaters intends to continue the baseball-themed marketing program in 2009.