By Adam Roy

Last Saturday, aspiring major leaguers put on their jerseys and straightened their caps for the Falls Church Kiwanis Little League (FCKLL) Opening Day parade and ceremony held at the ball fields behind West Gate Elementary School. 

Players, coaches, volunteers, parents, and siblings gathered in the morning for a short parade through the nearby neighborhood followed by opening remarks by local leaders and representatives from the Washington Nationals and Little League International, the governing body for all Little League baseball.

“We are the oldest little league in Virginia,” said FCKLL Board President Whitney Owen. “Since 1948, we have fielded teams of various levels and ages drawing youth from every neighborhood in Falls Church. This spring, we’re excited to bring baseball to more than 500 players.”

Instructing all those players and keeping their practices and games running smoothly is no small task for the volunteer-run board, its coaches, and umpires. In her remarks, Owen recognized that hard work, pausing to give special thanks to the parents who watch and cheer from the stands as well. 

“We’re successful thanks in large part to the tremendous support we receive from the community, to include the many local businesses and organizations who choose to sponsor teams and our events annually, including the Falls Church News-Press.” Owen said. “This season, the Challengers Team, coached by Amanda Springmann, is the paper’s official team.”

Available to players 5 to 18 years old, the Challengers is Little League’s adaptive program for those with physical or intellectual challenges, allowing participation in a baseball program with the assistance of Majors teams, FCKLL’s most advanced level, whose teams play the Challenges throughout the season in a positive environment benefiting all participants. 

The Challengers are one of 45 FCKLL teams proudly displaying a sponsor on the back of their jerseys this spring. Jerseys and hats are provided to every player free-of-charge through FCKLL’s ongoing partnership with the Washington National’s Team Up Program, which supports thousands of little league players in the DMV area annually. 

Nationals representative Sean Hudson was on hand to throw out a traditional first pitch. Speaking to the players in attendance, he shared that the big leaguers down in the clubhouse love knowing they are wearing the same curly W on their jerseys as them. 

Falls Church Mayor Letty Hardi, City Council Member Laura Downs, Virginia State Delegate Marcus Simon (53rd District), and Virginia’s District 4 Little League Administrator Paul Miller joined Hudson on the mound for first pitches as well as several FCKLL alumni players now playing high school baseball at Meridian, Marshall, and other nearby schools. 

This spring, FCKLL is working on several new initiatives, to include being one of the first leagues in Northern Virginia to offer free tee ball to players 4 to 6 years old. With more than 200 tee ballers registered for the spring season, this decision is already making an impact. 

“We’re in the business of teaching baseball, and that starts with our youngest players,” said FCKLL Vice President Alex Kuczkowski. “These tee ballers and their families represent the future of our league, and we’re focused on giving them the best experience possible and welcoming them into the FCKLL family.” 

Kuczkowski added that ongoing and planned developments at James Lee Community Center’s baseball field are helping ensure that future ball players will continue to have a memorable experience. 

“Beginning several years ago, focused fundraising and planning led by long-time board member Anthony Verdi provided an opportunity to upgrade and enhance the James Lee field,” Kuczkowski said. “We have installed new dugouts, fencing, and netting, plus a scoreboard in the outfield. And work continues as we hope to raise more funds for bullpens and start the approval process to install lights for future night games.” 

Improvements to James Lee as well as running the league’s day-to-day operations comes from not only generous sponsors but also through donations. Each year, the league hosts its primary fundraising event, The Hit-A-Thon, starting on May 5 for players and culminating with the adult Hit-A-Thon and Home Run Derby on May 10 at Lower West Gate Field. 

During practice, players get 10 swings to hit “home runs” with distances and rules varying by age. The top Majors players then compete in a final round prior to the adult home run derby. Family members and friends of players are encouraged to donate to the Hit-A-Thon as funds raised go directly to the upkeep of fields, the purchase of player equipment, and to keep league registration fees among the lowest in the area. Learn more about FCKLL’s premier fundraising event at fckll.org. 

“As a mom to four FCKLL graduates, I’ve watched a lot of baseball,” said Laura Downs. “The annual home run derby is always special to me. Seeing our players, alumni, and parents swing for the fences under the lights is a wonderful reminder of the role youth sports plays in our communities.” 

As the opening day ceremony concluded, parents scrambled to find their players and head out to fields across Falls Church for the start of games. Among the hustle and bustle, a tiny voice rose above the chatter, “Mom, do I get to bat now?” 

Yes. Let’s Play Ball!