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From HLLA to HHS

4/12/2021

Harrisonburg Little League (HLLA) was forced to cancel its 2020 spring season but is still striving to give young players the chance to experience baseball and softball in an organized form. For most people, sports require dedication and practice to become great.

Being great starts from the ground up, a notion that Harrisonburg High School (HHS) baseball coach Kevin Tysinger believes should start at a young age. As a former HLLA player, along with his 21 years of coaching experience, Coach Tysinger knows the importance of creating a strong foundation.

“I think every kid should get to experience a form of sport,” said Tysinger. “I want kids to learn at a young age that sports are fun and they are something you can be successful at.”

Starting young allows players to both learn the fundamentals of sports and create a foundation to grow with the game. Sharpening one’s playing skills early on opens up the opportunity to see major improvements in ability each and every year.

Pictured from left to right: Sophomore center fielder Josie Edwards, Senior pitcher Alyssa Sutton, and Senior shortstop and outfielder Karleigh Gentry.

“In addition to basic knowledge about the game, HLLA gave us experience that you can’t replicate in practice or at home,” recalled HHS softball senior Karleigh Gentry. “Being able to see live plays unfold in front of you makes the game simpler, letting you understand what to do in any situation.”

Experience is a key component that other HHS baseball and softball players expressed as well. HHS softball senior Alyssa Sutton believes that starting young allows for players to progress more over time, making the sport feel more natural. Confidence is another trait that grows as a player’s experience increases - it gives players the motivation to make a play and be successful athletes.

Following Little League association guidelines, HLLA only allows players that live within Harrisonburg City limits to play, meaning they will move on to play at HHS if they choose to do so. Currently, there are thirteen former HLLA players that are part of HHS baseball and four former HLLA players that are on the softball team. Starting on a team at a young age gives the players the chance to grow as teammates and develop bonds that will continue into the high school level.

“Being able to grow as a team is one of the biggest things HLLA has helped prepare us for,” said Gentry. “One of the things we always try to do is bond as a team and HLLA has shown us that the process can be fun and easy.”

Junior shortstop and pitcher Evan Bert runs up to field a ground ball.

Evan Bert, a junior shortstop and pitcher for the HHS baseball team, credits HLLA for helping build that rapport between him and his current teammates.

“Playing when you are younger lets you start bonding with the teammates you’ll play with in high school,” said Bert. “We get to know our teammates' style of play and it becomes easier to play as a team.”

Besides helping athletes become better players and teammates, HLLA also helps young players find the reasons why they love to play sports. HLLA encourages players to go out and have fun while becoming better on and off the field of play. Josh Engle, a junior for the HHS baseball team, believes that participating in HLLA helped him realize why he loved baseball.

“I love baseball because you are able to make mistakes and not be considered a bad player,” said Engle. “I think that is the most appealing part of baseball because it gives you something to strive for every play.

Evan Bert (left) poses with Junior catcher Josh Engle.

Making the choice to play a sport is no easy decision but one that can have many rewards.

“Just do it,” exclaimed Sutton when asked for advice to give younger players who are hesitant to play. “Be consistent with practicing because that is the only way to get better and trust that you’ll have coaches that push you to be your best.”

HHS softball player Josie Edwards added to her teammate’s philosophy.

“You get to see how much you have improved every year,” said Edwards. “It really shows the importance of how you practice because that translates to games.”

Sophomore center fielder Josie Edwards prepares for a pitch during batting practice.

HLLA teams have started practices the week and Opening Day will be April 24. Registration for both softball and baseball will remain open until Opening Day. To learn more about registration and the 2021 season, visit www.hlla.org.

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Harrisonburg Little League Opening Day set for April 24

4/1/2021

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Opening day is one of Harrisonburg Little League’s most anticipated events for all of its members and supporting community. In past years the event included bouncy castles, face painting, and many other games. Although the festivities may look a little different this year, the excitement for the long-awaited return to baseball and softball remains the same.

Amber Simmons, a parent and board member, has been the event coordinator for Harrisonburg Little League for the past two seasons. Simmons recognizes the challenges that COVID may bring to opening day, but is optimistic about making sure it still happens.

Amber Simmons (in white mask) helping register future HLLA players.

“Things are going to be different. We are going to adjust to the best of our abilities,” Simmons said. “The biggest challenge is not knowing what to expect and what we’re going to be able to do. We know we’re limited, but we’re going to try to make it as normal as possible for the kids.”

The recent amendment to Executive Order Seventy-Two for outdoor sports and entertainment venues, set by Governor Ralph Northam and the Virginia Department of Health, will allow Harrisonburg Little League players to finally make a return to the fields at Purcell Park after the cancelation of their 2020 season.

Working with these new guidelines and the City of Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Little League president Dean Warlitner and his fellow board members created COVID rules to keep all players, coaches, and volunteers safe during the season.

“If we all work together during this pandemic, our kids will be able to play ball in Harrisonburg this spring,” Warlitner stated.

The players have started to get a sense of how the season is going to look with all the new rules during HLLA’s clinics and skills evaluation sessions at Horizons Edge Sports Campus, a local indoor sports facility.

HLLA baseball players wait to show off their catching and throwing skills at Skills Evaluation.

“The kids are ready to play. Our clinics at Horizons Edge over the past few weeks have been full and the parents are ready to see their kids play again too,” said Warlitner.

Simmons believes the kids are prepared to follow the rules and excited to get back to their friends and the fields.

“Watching them right now, you can tell they’re ready and they want to be out there,” she said. “So far, the kids have had no problem keeping their masks on. They have adjusted to this lifestyle during a pandemic more than the adults have.”

Warlitner and the board plan to attend the first few practices to help implement the new rules and address any questions or concerns parents may have.

President Dean Warlitner at HLLA’s Bat-A-Thon event this past November.

“Our practices will start the week of April 12, as the city is then releasing our fields to us and our opening day is looking to be April 24 at which time we’ll start playing games every week,” Warlitner said.

To learn more about registration or volunteer opportunities for the 2021 season, visit www.hlla.org.

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A little bit of softball history!

11/26/2020

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Orange Crush girl's minor softball team (2012)

The earliest known softball game took place on Thanksgiving Day, 1887, in Chicago, Illinois. The game took place at the Farragut Boat Club between Harvard and Yale football supporters waiting to hear the result of the game. Credit for inventing the game is given to reporter George Hancock, who later developed the first ball and bat used for the game.

The game was first introduced as a way for baseball players to keep in shape during the winter months, but it quickly turned into a sport of its own. Leagues began to emerge in the late 1800s and early 1900s, but each league had their own set of rules. The game was known by a variety of names, including kitten ball, mush ball and diamond ball. The term “Softball” became popular in 1926, but it wouldn’t be recognized as the official name until 1936.

Softball rules were also decided that year when the Joint Rules Committee on Softball standardized the rules of softball across the United States.

In 1946, the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League started an all-girls softball league, which would later be popularized by the 1992 film A League of Their Own. The AAGPBL was the first league of its kind and allowed women across the United States and Canada to showcase their talents on a national stage.

Now, softball is wildly popular and there are many amazing teams! HLLA offers major, minor and farm ball softball leagues for girls 7-12. Check out our website HLLA.org for more league information.

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The Little League World Series’ Path Back to Playing

11/10/2020

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HLLA held its annual Bat-A-Thon event with increased safety precautions and appropriate social distancing measures.

This past April, the Little League World Series was forced to cancel its seven World Series and Region Tournaments for the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first time in the organization’s nearly 75-year history that any tournament was canceled, including the 10 to 12 age group that competes in South Williamsburg, PA.

Despite the disappointment that came with this past season, Little League is optimistic for the 2021 season. The organization plans to hold all seven World Series events and region tournaments, including at the historic South Williamsburg location. Player safety is the most paramount concern for Little League and guidelines are in place to ensure the safety of all those who attend games.

Players and coaches must observe six feet of distance between themselves while in the dugout. No personal equipment will be permitted in the dugout but instead should be spaced accordingly outside the dugout. Equipment will not be shared between players and will be disinfected after each use. To ensure player safety on the field of play, umpires will be required to wear a mask and will rotate baseballs every two innings.

Perhaps, the biggest changes will come to standard baseball etiquette and customs. During the 2021 season, post-game handshakes will not be allowed. Baseball players are accustomed to chewing gum and sunflower seeds; however, neither of these iconic snacks will be permitted this coming season.

While COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the previous little league season, Little League hopes to provide a safe and fun environment for players and fans at the 2021 World Series events.

“Coming up with a plan for COVID-19 is not easy,” Dean Warlitner, President of Harrisonburg Little League, said. “We will have to abide by all federal, state, and local rules for the best way to ensure player and spectator safety.”

HLLA will have its First Pitch meeting Jan. 19, 2021 at the Horizon's Edge Sports Complex. Follow the Facebook and Instagram pages to stay up to date on HLLA's upcoming season.

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Help “Pitch-In” at this year's Batathon Event

10/28/2020

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Jared Dull is collecting Pitch-In items at the registration in February this year.

By Chase VanHorn (JMU Class of 2020)

The Harrisonburg Little League Association has created Pitch-In, a new program that will be featured in this year’s Bat-A-Thon Nov. 7 at Horizons Edge Sports Campus.

Pitch-In was introduced to HLLA at the beginning of its season last year as a “trial” run by volunteer head coach Jared Dull, his wife, Brooke, and fellow board member, Dee Ritchie. Jared felt HLLA needed a “give back program.”

On registration day alone last year, Jared and Pitch-In donated equipment or clothing to roughly seven families. After the season was finished, Pitch-In had helped as many as 20 families.

Jared and Brooke knew they had created an equal opportunity in Harrisonburg for all children to play baseball or softball regardless of financial situations and felt it was important to make improvements for this upcoming season.

According to a report of CBS News, the number of participants in sports of families who make less than $75,000 has dropped as well as the average family spends roughly $700 a year on equipment, fees, and more . The report also said cost is the top reason for middle- and lower-income families for their children not to participate in organized sports.

”It took numerous board meetings to brainstorm ways to improve Pitch-In,” said Jared,“This year, Pitch-In is better than before and in full force.”

A Pitch-In booth will be set up during the Bat-A-Thon to inform individuals on the improvements. First, Jared no longer operates Pitch-In from his car, but rather in storage units. “We wanted to create a large stock-pile to avoid not having enough equipment.”

Second, Pitch-In is a year round program. The booth during Bat-A-Thon is simply a way to get the word out. There will be a collection box along with the booth. But, families can donate during any time of season. Also, promoting the program has been a focus point, so expect Pitch-In booths at all HLLA events moving forward.

Third, Pitch-In is not just for donations, but rather a way to “borrow and bring back.”Jared added, ”if any kid borrows a piece of equipment from Pitch-In and finds they are beginning to outgrow it, HLLA will allow kids to swap items as long as they remain in good condition.”

The Bat-A-Thon is HLLA's annual fundraiser to reward the players for their fundraising efforts. Players are asked to raise $50 which is turned into tickets that can be redeemed at the Prize Tent. Each player will also get a chance to take some swings and earn cool prizes.

So, come out and support the HLLA. And, most importantly children can have fun, while HLLA volunteers will follow the safety guidelines to ensure everyone is safe from Covid-19. All participants need to wear a mask unless they are participating in on-field activities. You can still RSVP for the event at https://forms.gle/RBWdiVtJ3xbLqq4w6.

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HLLA Story

From HLLA to HHS

Harrisonburg Little League Opening Day set for April 24

A little bit of softball history!

The Little League World Series’ Path Back to Playing

Help “Pitch-In” at this year's Batathon Event

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