Blogs

[#1]

The sounds of bats cracking, crowds roaring and umpires calling “strike three” have been echoing through the stadiums at the Little League Baseball World Series in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania for the past 2 weeks.

It is some of the best baseball and some of the best examples of sportsmanship you will ever see.  It is also the time of year when I miss my Dad the most. My Dad was a reserved person…not someone who readily talked about himself or his experiences. But the one thing he DID talk about was the walk off home run he hit in 1952 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania in the original Little League World Series Stadium. 

His team from Newville, PA was vying for a chance to advance to the PA State Championship to compete in the LLWS.  It is a story he shared many times, with a childlike smile and a sparkle in his eye.  Although my Dad’s name was Richard, his teammates called him Hank, after the Yankee great, Hank Bauer.

I’m lucky to have this picture of my Dad, crossing home plate after that memorable hit….his teammates and coaches celebrating with him.  Don’t you love his high top sneakers?  I can’t say it enough…my Dad treasured this moment in his life.

When my Dad died in 2010, many friends and family members wanted to know if they could donate to a cause in his memory.  I had to think about what mattered to him…what HE would have appreciated.  And in those grieving moments, my thoughts turned to Little League Baseball in Willamsport.

In 2013, the World of Little League Museum re-opened after a massive renovation.  As you wander through, you’ll learn the history of Little League, see kid sized uniforms worn by future Hall of Famers, other wonderful exhibits and fun interactive experiences for the kids. 

Also housed in the museum is that photo of my Dad crossing home plate in 1952, in the Richard “Hank” Bauer Jr. Photography Exhibit.   I still cry every time we visit and I see my Dad’s name on that wall.

This permanent exhibit in the museum tells the stories of Little League Baseball and Softball teams from around the country in wonderful photographs

This is Yadira Wright, a baseball mom and amateur photographer who takes pictures at every game in her San Diego, California, Little League, whether her kids are on the team or not.  And then, she offers the photos to the parents for free.  She is also one of the winners of a national photography contest, sponsored by Canon, and won the trip to the LLWS.  Her winning photo is in the photography exhibit this year.  I loved her story and am so proud to have her photo be part of the exhibit.

Television personality, Mario Lopez was on hand for the unveiling of the winning photos in the Canon contest too.  It was a really special morning for me and my family.

But the highlight of any Little League Baseball World Series is the game!  Beautiful Lamade stadium is a wonderful place to see baseball.

Former Boston Red Sox player, Nomar Garciaparra, is one of the ESPN commentators for the game.  We’ve met him several times and he’s always so nice and willing to spend time and talk with the kids.

And here’s Trevor with Dugout, the official mascot of the Little League Baseball world series.  Talk about a fan favorite!  

 

Our original plan was to spend 2 days at the Little League Baseball World Series this year.  But we had so much fun watching these boys play, that after coming home 1 day, we rounded up a few of Trevor’s friends and drove back for another 2 days!  Yes, our family is a little baseball obsessed!

But it was worth sharing the magic of this series with more friends…these boys are just a 2 years away from being the same age as the 12 year olds playing in the series now.  Wouldn’t it be cool if their team made it all the way?  A Mom can dream, right? 

What I know for sure is that this little guy, my Dad, had a dream coming here in 1952. And I know that he would have LOVED watching the Pennsylvania team go for it all this year.  My Dad really loved baseball...I have such peace in my heart knowing that his memory lives forever, here, in HIS field of dreams.

xoxo,

Jill

[#2]

The sounds of bats cracking, crowds roaring and umpires calling “strike three” have been echoing through the stadiums at the Little League Baseball World Series in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania for the past 2 weeks.

It is some of the best baseball and some of the best examples of sportsmanship you will ever see.  It is also the time of year when I miss my Dad the most. My Dad was a reserved person…not someone who readily talked about himself or his experiences. But the one thing he DID talk about was the walk off home run he hit in 1952 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania in the original Little League World Series Stadium. 

His team from Newville, PA was vying for a chance to advance to the PA State Championship to compete in the LLWS.  It is a story he shared many times, with a childlike smile and a sparkle in his eye.  Although my Dad’s name was Richard, his teammates called him Hank, after the Yankee great, Hank Bauer.

I’m lucky to have this picture of my Dad, crossing home plate after that memorable hit….his teammates and coaches celebrating with him.  Don’t you love his high top sneakers?  I can’t say it enough…my Dad treasured this moment in his life.

When my Dad died in 2010, many friends and family members wanted to know if they could donate to a cause in his memory.  I had to think about what mattered to him…what HE would have appreciated.  And in those grieving moments, my thoughts turned to Little League Baseball in Willamsport.

In 2013, the World of Little League Museum re-opened after a massive renovation.  As you wander through, you’ll learn the history of Little League, see kid sized uniforms worn by future Hall of Famers, other wonderful exhibits and fun interactive experiences for the kids. 

Also housed in the museum is that photo of my Dad crossing home plate in 1952, in the Richard “Hank” Bauer Jr. Photography Exhibit.   I still cry every time we visit and I see my Dad’s name on that wall.

This permanent exhibit in the museum tells the stories of Little League Baseball and Softball teams from around the country in wonderful photographs

This is Yadira Wright, a baseball mom and amateur photographer who takes pictures at every game in her San Diego, California, Little League, whether her kids are on the team or not.  And then, she offers the photos to the parents for free.  She is also one of the winners of a national photography contest, sponsored by Canon, and won the trip to the LLWS.  Her winning photo is in the photography exhibit this year.  I loved her story and am so proud to have her photo be part of the exhibit.

Television personality, Mario Lopez was on hand for the unveiling of the winning photos in the Canon contest too.  It was a really special morning for me and my family.

But the highlight of any Little League Baseball World Series is the game!  Beautiful Lamade stadium is a wonderful place to see baseball.

Former Boston Red Sox player, Nomar Garciaparra, is one of the ESPN commentators for the game.  We’ve met him several times and he’s always so nice and willing to spend time and talk with the kids.

And here’s Trevor with Dugout, the official mascot of the Little League Baseball world series.  Talk about a fan favorite!  

 

Our original plan was to spend 2 days at the Little League Baseball World Series this year.  But we had so much fun watching these boys play, that after coming home 1 day, we rounded up a few of Trevor’s friends and drove back for another 2 days!  Yes, our family is a little baseball obsessed!

But it was worth sharing the magic of this series with more friends…these boys are just a 2 years away from being the same age as the 12 year olds playing in the series now.  Wouldn’t it be cool if their team made it all the way?  A Mom can dream, right? 

What I know for sure is that this little guy, my Dad, had a dream coming here in 1952. And I know that he would have LOVED watching the Pennsylvania team go for it all this year.  My Dad really loved baseball...I have such peace in my heart knowing that his memory lives forever, here, in HIS field of dreams.

xoxo,

Jill