This Friday, November 10, the Vienna Little League community is invited to gather in honor of the life and legacy of Coach Brett Leis, who passed away unexpectedly last month at age 52. A retired Australian Naval officer, Brett was a beloved fixture on VLL fields for many years -- as a manager, assistant coach, or enthusiastic parent for the teams his son Jack played for, including the 2023 Majors Colts.

Players adored Coach Leis for his passion and his kindness. He hit them fungoes with a cricket bat, quoted Mohammad Ali to them in team huddles with his distinctive Aussie accent ("Rumble, Young Man, Rumble!"), and instilled in them a joy for the game of baseball. And he was a "mate" to all of his fellow coaches. Whenever the league needed help, Brett was among the first to volunteer, including picking up a shovel or a rake for many VLL field cleanup days.

Brett was also a Cub Scout leader, a swim team representative, and the unofficial "mayor" of the Lakevale Estates neighborhood. More recently, when Fairfax County experienced a shortage of school bus drivers, he joined their ranks and was renowned on his routes for his colorful Hawaiian shirts.

The Leis family invites all who knew Brett to join them for a Celebration of Life at the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department on Friday at 4:30 p.m. Guests are asked to "come as you are, especially if that includes wearing your best Eagles or Phillies gear, flannel or Hawaiian shirts."

Fall Classic Tournament Champions Crowned

More than 600 players participated in our successful 2023 Fall Ball season, which culminated for our Majors, 3A and 2A programs on October 27-28 with the "Fall Classic" tournament championship games. The Royals topped the Rangers 7-0 to claim the Fall Majors title (and champions t-shirts). In Fall 3A, the Tigers earned a 10-9 walkoff win in the final game over the talented runner-up Padres squad. And in Fall 2A, the Morrison Nationals bested the Soules Nationals 6-3 in the championship game. Congratulations to all the teams who competed as well as to our 1A and Juniors program participants. See you all in the spring; registration opens in just a few weeks (December 1)!

Registration is Open for HammerZone Winter Break Camps

No school? No problem. HammerZone has winter break youth baseball camps for players ages 8-14 this December ($250/session):

Session #1 -- December 18-21 (Mon-Thurs)
9 am to 2 pm (includes 45-minute lunch break)

Session #2 -- December 26-29 (Tues-Fri)
9 am to 2 pm (includes 45-minute lunch break)

Campers will have the opportunity to enhance their overall baseball skills through daily training with a focus on hitting, fielding, and throwing, plus daily skills competitions.

BONUS OPPORTUNITY FOR EITHER SESSION: Stay late (2:30-3:30 pm) for "Hitting with Coach Brendan" ($75 for one week/4 sessions).

Register at www.HammerZoneSports.com.


                         

Register for Winter Camps at MVP Baseball School!

MVP Baseball School is excited to offer the following winter baseball training opportunities for players in Vienna Little League. 

8-Week Winter Baseball Combo Camps

Players ages 7-12 receive hitting along with pitching or defensive skill instruction in the same sessions. (Note: This can also be used as a one-hour hitting class if your player does not want to pitch.) Camps meet once per week on set days/times at the MVP Baseball School facility (356 Victory Drive, Herndon, VA) beginning the week of December 3.

The following sessions are offered and you can register by clicking on the link: 
Pitching and Hitting: Saturdays from 1 pm to 2 pm
Pitching and Hitting: Wednesdays from 7 pm to 8 pm
Defensive Skills and Hitting: Tuesdays from 6 pm to 7 pm

Guaranteed 4:1 player-to-coach ratio.

Early Bird Pricing through November 10 is $350. Starting November 11, tuition will be $370.

Holiday Break Camp

Back by popular demand, MVP Baseball School is once again offering a Holiday Break camp which will run from Monday, December 18, through Thursday, December 21, from 9 am to 12 pm at the MVP facility (356 Victory Drive, Herndon, VA). This is a great opportunity for parents to get some work or shopping done while kids are on break!

The camp is open to players league ages 6-12 who want to hone their baseball skills during the holiday break. Players will receive fielding, pitching and hitting instruction from some of MVP's finest professional instructors. There will be a 4:1 player-to-coach ratio. 

Early Bird tuition for the 4-day camp is $250 through November 17. Starting November 18, tuition will be $275.

Register online HERE for the Holiday Break Camp!

Catchers U® Catching Clinics

MVP Advanced Catching Clinics for Youth (ages 9-12) are led by MVP partner and Catchers U® Coach Jack Ferrick. The Catchers U® founder and lead instructor will help catchers hone their skills in all aspects of the catcher position, including receiving, blocking and throwing. MVP Advanced Catching Clinics will be held at the MVP facility (356 Victory Drive, Herndon, VA).

Camps meet once per week on Saturdays, from 7 pm to 8 pm, beginning the week of December 3.

Registration and pricing information can be found HERE!

Camps will fill quickly, so register your ballplayer today!

For questions, please call Coach Mark "Pudge" Gjormand at 703-975-4124 or email him directly at [email protected].