South Lenoir's Logan Deaver voted 

N.C. STEP "No Spit" All-Star of the Year

Deaver honored as the best high school baseball player who has pledged not to use spit tobacco  

CANTON , NC – The North Carolina Spit Tobacco Education Program (STEP) is proud to announce that high school baseball fans from across the state voted South Lenoir ’s Logan Deaver as the N.C. STEP “No Spit” All-Star of the Year for baseball.  More than 39,400 fans from across the state cast votes for the N.C. STEP “No Spit” All-Star of the Year.  Deaver received 6,591 votes to best Cary Academy ’s Matt Hamm who tallied 5,099 votes.  Southlake Christian’s Nathan Sharp (3,060) was third with South Iredell’s Chris Dula (1,542) rounding out the top four finishers.  

For the season, Deaver hit .438 with two home runs, 25 runs batted in, and 20 runs scored.  On the mound, Deaver was 8-2 with a 1.81 earned run average, striking out 100 with 48 walks in 62 innings pitched.  Opponents were hitting just .169 with Deaver on the mound.  Deaver earned the week one, N.C. STEP “No Spit” All-Star of the Week honor, after not giving up an earned run in 10 innings pitched while giving up seven hits and striking out 15.  Deaver tossed a complete-game three-hitter in a 10-1 win over North Lenoir .  

Deaver was selected from among ten finalists.  Each finalist earned a weekly honor ad had pledged not to use spit or smokeless tobacco, understanding that smokeless does not mean harmless, as spit tobacco contains more than 28 cancer-causing agents.  These cancer-causing agents are present in cigarettes, cigars, smoke, and all forms of smokeless tobacco, including spit, snuff, and chew.  The nominees have made the healthy lifestyle choice not to use spit tobacco.  

In the Oral Health America 2006 Spit Tobacco Report Card, the nation received a “D” for the use of spit tobacco.  That means between 12 to 20 percent of all high school males in the country have used spit tobacco in the last 30 days.  The campaign intends to educate young people in North Carolina about the dangers of spit tobacco and reinforce the healthy, lifestyle choice not to use tobacco products, especially spit tobacco.  

NC STEP is an effort designed to educate North Carolinians about the dangers of spit tobacco.  Each year, between 10 to 16 million Americans put their health at risk by using spit tobacco.  NC STEP’s mission is to prevent people, especially young people, from starting to use spit tobacco.  For more information about NC STEP, please contact Paul Turner at (828) 648-1211.  

The North Carolina Spit Tobacco Education Program (STEP) is funded through a grant from the North Carolina Health Wellness Trust Fund (HWTF). The NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund makes North Carolina stronger, both physically and economically, by funding programs that promote preventive health. Created by the General Assembly in 2000 to allocate a portion of North Carolina 's share of the national tobacco settlement, HWTF has invested $199 million to support preventive health initiatives and $102 million to fund prescription drug assistance programs. For more information, please visit www.HealthWellNC.com.  

The TSF Radio Network delivers customized, local sports reports to 182 network affiliates in 14 different states, reaching a weekly listening audience of more than 2.1 million people.  TSF has 32 network affiliates in North Carolina and will provide the day-to-day management of the campaign.  

Download the N.C. STEP "No Spit" All-Star Pledge for Student-Athletes

Download the N.C. STEP "No Spit" Pledge for Coaches

Download the N.C. STEP "No Spit" Pledge for Parents