Few things can rival the feeling of being at a ballpark taking in a baseball game: The sounds, the smells, the excitement. It’s hard not to be romantic about it all.
Little League Baseball is no exception.
Though the stakes may not be as high as it is for those who play at a professional level, the thrill and heartbreak exist all the same. Little League Baseball has provided communities with both—as well as a vast array of other emotions—since its inception in 1939.
In Williamsburg, the dedication to preserving “America’s pastime” has been going strong for generations.
Williamsburg Little League celebrated that perseverance on Saturday during an opening day ceremony that marked 50 years for the organization as a charter member of Little League Baseball.
The ceremony, held at the city’s Little League Field off of Ridge Ave. near downtown, recognized each team, player and coach participating as part of the league’s banner season. Over 200 children make up the various rosters on this year’s teams, as well as several dozen coaches.
Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison, who participated in Williamsburg Little League as a player and later served for many years as both a coach and board member, addressed the crowd during the ceremony, thanking everyone who came out in support of the league.
“This is the community. You look around, this is Williamsburg,” said Harrison.
“I cannot tell you how many games I won here on this field, but I can tell you the players that I played with, the coaches that I had…this is a time that you will never forget.”
As Harrison acknowledged during his speech, keeping a successful league together for as long as Williamsburg has takes an entire group of people working together to ensure its survival—most of which do so on a strictly voluntary basis. One person, however, has played a pivotal role in helping Williamsburg’s league maintain the longevity it has been able to achieve.
That person is Patty Faulkner.
Faulkner, who is the current president of Williamsburg Little League, has worn a variety of hats during her time with the league. She put on the one she wears now as league president 30 years ago. During that time, she has also donned those of secretary, treasurer, player agent, concession stand worker and more, often serving multiple roles simultaneously to make sure each season could move forward with minimal hurdles.
Her commitment to the league is both apparent and commendable. In appreciation of that commitment, Faulkner was gifted with the key to the city during Saturday’s ceremony, a surprise gesture that she did not see coming.
“She puts her heart and soul into it and that’s what you have to have. You have to care,” said Harrison. “Her love of baseball and her love of this town and her love of Little League shows.”
Following the ceremony, Faulkner spoke to the News Journal about the recognition, though she was quick to share the praise.
“I think it is a true depiction of a whole team, or a whole city, for one common good. And that’s for the game of baseball,” said Faulkner.
Faulkner plans to step down as league president at the end of this season, marking a new chapter in Williamsburg Little League as she turns over the reins to Maggie White, who currently acts as player agent and has been active within the league for many years.
“It truly has been a blessing to me,” said Faulkner. “It’s special. I love this field. I love baseball.”
Despite Faulkner’s decision to leave her position as league president, she will continue working behind the scenes in a new role, where she will be dedicating her time to forming a softball division for Williamsburg Little League.
When asked, Faulkner said she couldn’t say for certain how many teams or what levels of play might be available, but she did guarantee that it would be an option for girls who wish to play next season.
