Volunteer Impact Story from Concessions Director Beth Verderese
I’ve been so lucky to grow up in the town of Vienna. My dad, Wayne Martin, played in the Vienna Little League for the Cardinals and was on the All-Stars team when he was 11 and 12. My grandfather even coached the very first Babe Ruth team here.
Picture: Wayne Martin, Michael Verderese (Phillies), Beth Verderese
So when it came time for my son Michael to start baseball, I couldn’t
have been more excited for him to follow in his grandfather’s
footsteps. As he moved from T-Ball to A, then to AA, I began to truly
appreciate what a great league this is—and how Yeonas Park is such a
special place in our community.
When Michael entered Majors, I was approached about taking over the
snack bar. I recognized it was my turn to give back to the league that
had meant so much to my family. What started as a volunteer role
quickly turned into a passion project.
Running the snack bar became about more than just food and drinks—it
was about creating a welcoming place where families could gather,
players could celebrate after games, and our community could come
together. Over the years, we expanded the menu, improved efficiency,
and focused on making it a true part of the Yeonas experience.
With the support of my incredible teenage staff we saw steady growth
in sales year after year. In fact, snack bar revenue increased
significantly under our time running it, helping to support the league
financially and fund key improvements to the park.
As I enter my final year at the snack bar I can say that it’s been a
privilege to be part of something that brings so much joy to so many.
Vienna Little League is more than baseball—it’s tradition, community,
and family so I encourage all of you to volunteer because this league
is only as good as we make it!
Thank you Beth for sharing your story and thank you to all the volunteers for your efforts and impact to run VLL!
Want to get involved? There are many volunteering opportunities available to fit your availability Reach out to the Volunteer Coordinator Liz Kwok at [email protected] to get involved.