June. Mid-afternoon. It's a balmy 83 degrees and the concession stand is prepping for the crowds. The outfield is littered with Tee-ballers and grass clippings. The season is about to begin.
Flashback several months to a winter that seems to never want to quit. Nevertheless, the Pioneer Little League committee is meeting to discuss all the details that have to be handled. With little, to no money in a non-existent bank account, the group must rally to re-organize a sport deemed America's "National Pastime."
Weather warms, if only slightly. A corporation is formed, local companies visited for donations, and mountains of paperwork are filed. Pioneer LL crawls to life with spring. President Rachel Baumgarn quotes, "Getting Little League legally updated has required a lot of time and work by the committee members."
May brings snow as if Mother Nature herself is trying to be an obstacle or serve as a reminder that all good things take work. Neighboring teams are contacted, including a long lost opponent - Chester. The building by the baseball fields is completely cleaned out of old gear, simply too worn and filthy to be reused. Thanks to a generous donation by the Big Sandy Rotary, 1980's equipment now having been more occupied by mice than children, are replaced with brand new gloves, bats, and safety equipment. It all begins to come together only days before 35 kids show up to the first practice.
Now on June 3rd, with 7 future games scheduled, the T-ball and baseball players take the field, outfitted from head to toe in brand new uniforms donated by sponsors. As they run out onto the field, it is apparent that the Pioneers are truly battling giants. The opponents are much older and experienced, having been in lasting programs throughout the years. Still, these players face their rivals with courage and joy that are so resilient in children. When asked how he is enjoying his first baseball experience Aaron Fasteson (age 9) stated, "My favorite part is tagging the people out."
After the last baseball player leaves the hot and grueling two hour game, and the concession parent volunteers have cleaned up the kitchen, a quiet dusk descends on the field. Deceivingly calm, the empty stands and bases do not
seem to reflect the months of preparation for those short hours of game-time. Like the pitch being thrown, it is gone in a flash. However, thanks to the amazing support of the community and families the baseball program is here to grow and last. As Parker Yirsa (age 5) states, "I feel a little scared when I play baseball, but I want to keep doing it, because it's so fun, and I don't want to quit." That is what Pioneer Little League is all about: providing children with the opportunity to learn this great American sport, prove to themselves that they can slay giants, be a part of the team, and a part of their community.
