Interviewed by Alex Khalifeh (JMU Class of 18) Written by J. B. Gochenour (Lecturer at JMU) Crystal Taylor, vice president of Harrisonburg Little League Association, has a very special title. For many, she’s Harrisonburg’s “baseball lady.” A longtime Harrisonburg Little League parent and volunteer, Taylor has spent the last decade working with a team of league supporters that help keep Harrisonburg Little League Association’s season on the calendar and players returning to the field. “I started volunteering 10 years ago as a team mom and working at our big events and have been on the board for 8 years and Vice President for 6 years,” Taylor said. HLLA relies on volunteers like Taylor and her co-workers who donate untold hours staffing games, sorting through and filling out paperwork, keeping team records, holding fund-raisers, selling refreshments, and keeping HLLA running smoothly behind the scenes. “I cannot say enough about how much she actually does for HLLA," said Dean Warlitner, HLLA president. "All the behind the scenes stuff that no one sees. If we listed everything she does, it will be very long and detailed.”
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By Riley Smith (JMU Class of 16) Harrisonburg Little League Association has been around since 2000, the same year that current Coach Will Zampini moved to Harrisonburg. Zampini has coached and volunteered for HLLA for the past 5 years, starting in t-ball then working his way up to farm league, and now he is currently coaching in the minors. Zampini is only 29 years old, but he has had a ton of baseball experience, starting off right here with HLLA. “It was always so much fun playing in HLLA and playing with your friends. And when you got to all-stars, you got to travel with other guys and play in different places. When we were in junior league, we actually won the state championship and that banner is the only one up on the clubhouse till this day,” said Zampini. Zampini’s baseball success did not stop in HLLA. After he finished senior league in HLLA, he played 4 years at Harrisonburg High School before playing college baseball at Baltimore Community College. He pitched for one year at BCCC before having to come back home to Harrisonburg. “I had some shoulder issues, I was going to go back. But, then, I really started to have some problems with my shoulder,” said Zampini. Zampini needed surgery on his rotator cuff before he could even think about pitching again. Unfortunately, the injury ended his baseball career. Since Zampini could no longer play the game, he decided to volunteer for HLLA as a coach. Dean Warlitner, HLLA president, welcomed him back with open arms. “Dean coached while I played. He was the coach of the Phillies at that time and I was on the Giants. He will still say until this day that we never beat them. But, I know we did. I’ve known Dean since I was 12 or 13 years old,” said Zampini. Zampini just could not stay away from the game. By Bri Sayasithsena (JMU Class of 16) Saturday May 21, 2016, little leaguers will gear up to hit balls in support of bat-a-thon. Bat-a-thon is a yearly fundraiser put on by the Harrisonburg Little League. Beginning in 2005, the players raised money to fund every aspect of spending for the little league. Players have the opportunity to go up to bat—with every ball they hit they earn a point, for each point earned children get the chance to win a prize. This fundraiser “Helps keep registration costs down—we [HLLA] have the lowest costs in the valley” said Dean Warlitner, President of HLLA. Players and their family are expected to raise at least $50. Participants may earn more prizes by raising over the $50 minimum. With each dollar they raise they are issued a ticket. Just like at an arcade, players can cash in their tickets for prizes. This year’s prizes include movies, games, toys and much more. For those who raise $100 or more they will be entered into a drawing for $500. For each additional $100 raised will also be another chance to win the grand prize. Last year’s event raised close to $7,000 for the league, this year, our goal this year is $10,000. Parents and players have multiple ways of fundraising:
HLLA is also in search of volunteers to help out with the event, for more information on how you can get involved please email HLLA vice president, Crystal Brown at: [email protected]
By Alex Khalifeh (JMU Class of 18)
"We ask parents to help to help us provide the same type of memories I received. Help them remember their little league days with a smile. Something they would be proud of, and say they were the best times of their lives"
After months of anticipation, opening day for HLLA had finally arrived. It was a beautiful day, seventy degrees and sunny with almost no breeze to make for a great atmosphere. The events of the day began around 8:00 a.m., and there were games and activities for parents and players to participate in. Sheetz provided donuts and juice, Bojangle’s and Buffalo Wild Wings had their tents set up and had some interactive games going on. Volunteers helped out as well for face painting and moon bounce. During this time, I got a chance to ask parents and coaches about their expectations for the upcoming season.
By Riley Smith (JMU Class of 16) "Youth sports taught me how to work on a team, while also learning not just how to be a good winner, but to learn how to be a good loser as well." The long winter is almost over. As spring comes, little league opening day is right around the corner. “Opening day is my day. The interactions with the kids, coming up to hug you or wrap around your leg. A lot of these kids started at Tball and the older ones, you see them grow up and see how they are becoming young men and ladies.” |
DisclaimerHLLA Story is an official blog site of the Harrisonburg Little League Association. All content is managed by Bluestone Communications, a student-run public relations agency at James Madison University. Please contact Isaac Woo ([email protected]), faculty director of Bluestone Communications, if you have any questions about the blog or the stories. Archives
April 2021
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