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Community Corner

Little League: A Chance To Give Back

Golden Valley Little League volunteers continue to make an impact in the lives of children. Now, you can sign up to help the cause.

Steve Baker has sent his three children through the Golden Valley Little League baseball program over the past decade, and he’s been front and center participating in the league through much of that stretch.

Baker, currently the Player Agent for the GVLL, has a passion for helping youth in Golden Valley enjoy the game in the present and learn life lessons for the future.

“Kids have the tendency to hang on to these memories for a long time,” Baker said. “You still remember playing little league sports. You still remember those impacts the coaches had. Those are long lasting impacts.”

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As the GVLL enters its 57th season providing youth baseball for kids within the city, Baker and the rest of the GVLL Board of Directors are looking for help facilitating that goal. Volunteers are needed for the 2012 season to help the league’s day to day operations run smoothly.

Board members, coaches, managers, tournament directors and—most immediately—public relations personnel in charge of sending newsletters and updates to media outlets are needed. Baker said any commitment, big or small, will be recognized.

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“If you come to me and say you can give me four hours all year, I’ll fill your four hours,” Baker said. “If you say you can give me four hours a week, I’ll fill you four hours a week.”

The commitment could have a long-lasting impact.

The GVLL enables kids ages 6-12 to from April through July. The league is made up of about 200 kids each year, and about 96 percent of the children come from within Golden Valley’s borders, Baker said.

In order to make the daily games and practices function smoothly, Baker said about 100 volunteers are needed per season.

“We have a lot smashed into a short period of time because of weather,” GVLL Vice President Pat Dale said. “From the beginning of April through the last week of June, it’s every night.”

Dale represents a group of current volunteers who no longer have children in the GVLL program. His children have since moved on, but he remains part of the league because of what it represents for youth in the area.

He said the values of friendship and graciously winning and losing are part of the experience. That’s why helping area kids gain those lessons keeps him involved and motivates him to help bring others on board.

“We’ll figure out a way to make it work,” Dale said. “If you’re doing something you want to do, you’re more likely to be successful at it and you’re more likely to stay around.”

At the end of the day, it’s Golden Valley’s youth who benefit from the GVLL’s efforts.

“We forget about the basic fundamentals impacting kids,” Baker said. “This really gives people an opportunity, and if you decide how much you want to get involved, it’s a ton of fun.”

Golden Valley Little League Baseball  For more information on volunteering, contact:  Steve Baker - GVLL Player Agent
gvllbaseball@comcast.net
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