Majors Division Defensive Player of the Year

TJ Montalbano- New York Empire

Majors Defensive Player of the Year

TJ Montalbano- New York Empire

There are great defenders, and then there are players who completely change the game with their glove. TJ Montalbano is one of those players.

As the everyday shortstop for the New York Empire, TJ has established himself as one of the premier defensive players in police softball. His impact cannot be measured by statistics alone because so many of the plays he makes never appear in a box score. What they do show is the number of runs he prevents, rallies he ends, and championships he helps secure through elite defense.

What truly sets TJ apart is his versatility. While he is widely regarded as one of the best shortstops on the circuit, he can move to center field without missing a beat—and instantly become one of the premier defenders there as well. Watching him patrol center field is remarkable. His first step is elite, his routes are flawless, and his jumps on the ball are second to none. Time and time again, he tracks down balls that seem destined to fall for extra-base hits, taking away runs and changing the momentum of games. It often looks like he knows exactly where the ball is going before it’s even hit.  TJ is the police softball version of Mookie Betts.

TJ will be recognized during our opening ceremony on Friday night in Las Vegas.