Batter Up! Run, Don't Walk, to Sign Up Your Youngster for Tee Ball, Rookie or 1A by 2/28
Make sure your player(s) can team up with their friends this Spring for instructional-level baseball. Team formation for Tee Ball, Rookie & 1A teams (ages 4-9) will begin as soon as registration closes on February 28. Spots are filling up fast. Register ASAP and please also consider volunteering as a Minors or Tee Ball coach to help us meet our robust demand. See the Program Info/FAQ page and Important Dates page on our website for more details on our various levels of play and scheduling.
A Letter of Thanks from the Weaver Family
In December, our community lost one of our own: Tarah Weaver, mother of a VLL player and wife of longtime VLL coach Russ Weaver. Tarah's family asked us to share the below message of gratitude and remembrance:
 My family would like to thank the VLL community for your love, prayers, and support over the past several months. As many know, Tarah lost her battle with ovarian cancer on December 19th. She was an incredible wife to me, mother to our three children, and a friend to many of you. She loved watching our kids (and yours) play sports, which included many hours at baseball fields around town. She enjoyed meeting new players and parents every year, while also forging deeper friendships with those she already knew.
 Many of our family’s fondest memories are associated with baseball, one of which included watching the National and American League All-Star teams battle it out in the District tournament last summer. We will miss seeing her friendly smile, wave to the batter’s box, and cheering during the upcoming season but are comforted knowing that she will be smiling down upon us. The outpouring of support has provided solace to our family during a difficult period in our lives. We look forward seeing many of you at a baseball field this spring.
- Russ, Greta, Riley and Mitchell Weaver
Baseball Gear and Clothing Swap on March 4th
 Clean out that garage and join us for a baseball equipment and clothing swap on Saturday, March 4, from 11 am-3 pm at the Vienna Community Center (Northside Room). You don't need to bring anything to participate, and all baseball equipment and clothing is free.
Families can swap gently used, game-ready baseball equipment and clothing -- gloves, bats, batting helmets, catcher’s gear, cleats, baseball pants, belts, equipment bags, etc. Exchange equipment and clothing your ballplayer has outgrown for the right size and color.
Not available on March 4th, or just have equipment you'd like to contribute in advance? There will be a collection drive on Saturday, February 25 from 10 am-noon. Bring your gear to the Yeonas Park snack bar area, and volunteers will be there to receive it.
All unclaimed items will be donated to Leveling the Playing Field, a non-profit organization that redistributes equipment to expand access and equity within youth sports and recreation programs in under-resourced communities.
Last Chance to Try Out for 2A/3A/Majors Is February 12
 Spring 2023 player evaluations continue on February 12 for ages 8-9, with make-up slots available for 10-12-year-olds. This will be the final opportunity for anyone seeking placement at these competitive levels to complete their required tryout. You can sign your player up HERE.
WHEN: Sunday, February 12, 1:30-6:30 pm
WHERE: HammerZone Sports (Fairfax Circle Shopping Center, 9709 Fairfax Blvd, Fairfax, VA 22030)
Volunteers Needed: We still need adult and youth volunteers to help run tryouts. You can sign up for volunteer time slots HERE. Please take note of the type of signup required, youth or adult (adult slots cannot be filled by youth volunteers). All youth signups should be filled by returning Majors players or older (VLL alumni, Babe Ruth, high school players). Youth volunteers can record their time as service hours.
Tryout Questions? Contact [email protected]
And be sure to check out the winter and spring baseball camps offered by our tryout sponsor HammerZone. Camps are available for hitting, fielding, catching, and more! See the attached flyer for additional details.
Umpire Training Begins in March; Adult & Youth Umps Needed
 New Umpire Meeting and Training:
- Saturday, March 11 and Sunday, March 12 at 9 am
- Saturday, March 18 and Sunday, March 19 at 9 am
New umpire candidates should attend one Saturday and one Sunday training; location for all sessions is the Ruth Valliere Room at Yeonas Park.
Returning Umpire Meeting:
- Sunday, March 12 at 7:30 pm (via Zoom)
Details:
- $40-$60 per game
- Ages 13 and up; adults needed too
- No experience required
- New automated payment and scheduling system with biweekly direct deposit
- Uniform and training provided by VLL
Umpire Questions? Contact Umpire in Chief Brian Descovich at [email protected].
VLL Merchandise Now Available
 Check out our new online merchandise shop through our sponsor Vienna Sports. Get ready to show your VLL pride this season with t-shirts, hoodies, ball caps and more! Check back to the site regularly as more merchandise will be added throughout the spring.
Prepare Your Player for the Season with Strength and Flexibility Videos
 VLL sponsor Whole Body Health Chiropractic has prepared a series of injury-prevention videos tailored to the needs of youth baseball players. Whole Body Health Chiropractic's founder, Dr. David Gustitus, was a Division 1 college athlete and has 20 years of experience using cutting-edge techniques to keep youth players injury-free and performing their best.
Babe Ruth Spring Baseball at Waters Field
 The Greater Vienna-Falls Church-Annandale Babe Ruth League has updated its website and registration portal. You can register HERE for the spring 2023 season. Registration for the Prep and National League (13-15 year-olds) will close in mid-March. Tryouts and draft will also be in mid-March, with games starting after the FCPS spring break.
Tryouts and draft for new Senior League players (16-18 year-olds) will take place at the end of April, with games starting in early May. Schedules permitting, we will try to hold pre-season scrimmages in April for Senior League players who are not playing on high school teams.
GVBR is very much in need of volunteers for a variety of board roles, as well as managers and assistant coaches. Please speak to your friends and neighbors about participating in Babe Ruth baseball at Waters Field this spring. Travel and high school players are welcome.
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